PAUL BOISVERT | Coordinator , ARTA Photo Contest , 2016

In preparing this report on the 2016 ARTA Photography Contest , I simply asked myself why I was considering the contest as a success . Immediately , three elements of evaluation popped up . First , there is continued growth in the number of participants . Second , the quality of the submissions caused the judges to discuss and re-evaluate a number of photos in each category . Third , as coordinator , I was pleased to see a greatly diminished number of submissions having to be disqualified . As well , the comments received from some participants indicated that there was satisfaction with the categories .

take this opportunity to thank this year ’ s judges , Vicki , Roxanne and Johanne , for taking time away from their busy schedules to judge the ARTA contest . All three of the judges are professional photographers who bring both skill and experience to the task . Some participants would like written commentary from the judges , but given the time this would take , I am not prepared to ask this of people who are already rendering us wonderful service without remuneration .

The two most common comments made by the judges were that photographers must give more consideration to their purpose when photographing subjects such as sunsets or scenery in general . They should also ask questions like these : Is all that I want to portray in focus ? Am I trying to put too much content into the image ?

Another piece of advice I would offer is that when the objective is to photograph children at play , make the children the focus , not their surroundings .

I have very much enjoyed this task , which is the last contest that I will be coordinating . It is time for someone new to step in who may have the required energy to help this contest to continue to develop . New minds may consider topic categories that I have not considered .

However , my last report would not be complete if I excluded the following comment . While the support from the ARTA office and news & views has been most noteworthy , I believe that many branches have not provided the ARTA Photo Contest with the type of support it deserves .

To all of you , I thank you for making my job so much easier and worthwhile .

I look forward to the 2017 contest when I anticipate being able to submit an entry or two .

Thank you , Paul , from all of us at ARTA . The photo contest that you began and ran so successfully these many years is truly a creation of excellence . We will miss your leadership and guidance . Good luck in the future with all you do — and good luck with your entries in next year ' s contest !

news & views AUTUMN 2016 | 29