news&views Autumn 2023 | Page 22

2023 Photo Contest

Laurie Semler | Member , Communications Committee , ARTA
Once again , ARTA members ’ photography talents were on full display in the 290 entries for the 2023 Photo Contest . As usual , the tried-and-true categories of Nature and Travel garnered the most entries . The remarkable photos from both Novice and Master photographers showcased people , landscapes , and wildlife from many special places around the world . This year ’ s new categories — Well-Aged ( chosen to highlight ARTA ’ s 60 th birthday ) and Contrast — garnered some interesting and unique interpretations of both themes .
It was my privilege to represent the Communications Committee as one of this year ’ s judges . I really enjoyed the process of examining each entry and discussing its merits with my fellow judges , Virginia Quist and Colleen Sayer . I learned so much from both . Virginia is ARTA ’ s senior creative designer and an accredited professional photographer with the Professional Photographers of Canada . Her photographs appear regularly in news & views . In fact , since she joined the ARTA staff , most of the cover photography has been Virginia ’ s work . Multi-talented ARTA member Colleen has entered and won the Photo Contest several times . She ’ s been a member of Images Alberta Camera Club for over ten years and is a member of the Canadian Association for Photographic Arts .
In the background , Maria Sune-Taylor , a retired teacher and one of ARTA ’ s marketing coordinators , kept the entries and the judges organized .
As this year ’ s judges , we had our work cut out for us . With so many beautiful pictures to choose from , we examined each photo with an eye to how it represented the category and how it compared to all the other entries . If it had been up to me alone , I would have declared all the entrants winners !
On behalf of the Communications Committee and my fellow judges , I thank everyone who entered the 2023 Photo Contest . Heartfelt congratulations to all our winners ! Planning for next year ’ s contest is already underway . Keep on snapping those photos and stay tuned for the next Photo Contest call .
22 | arta . net WELL-AGED