The 18th Annual Amateur Photography Contest is back at Kitchener Public Library! Submit your photographs by Thursday, October 24, 2024, for a chance to win a $250 Common Studios credit and a $300 gift certificate for a local photography store. There are four categories that you can enter: animals, architecture, landscape and people. Grab your camera and see what you can capture!
We're excited to introduce you to the amazing panel of local photographers judging the show. To help inspire you, we also asked them to share some advice for the categories they will be judging.
Adrienne Zoe
Category: Animals
Adrienne Zoe is an award-winning fine art and nature photographer based in Waterloo. She finds meaning in her photography by promoting appreciation of nature, bringing awareness to and supporting conservation. She’s committed to donating a percentage of nature sales proceeds to nature conservation charities.
Advice:
My best advice on animal photography is to take time to observe animals, understand their natural behaviour and patterns and ultimately get wonderful shots of them. The best way to find wildlife is to explore areas where they thrive — parks, green spaces, rivers, lakes, ponds and along the shore. Pay attention to the seasons and timing of migration, mating, breeding and fledging so that you can catch these moments.
Shaquille DePeazer
Category: Architecture
Born and raised in Kitchener-Waterloo, Shaquille regularly shoots street photography covering many other styles while doing so, including architecture, urban exploration, portraits, landscapes. He also works as a graphic designer and operates a branding service called Pease.
Advice:
My biggest advice for any up-and-coming creative is to at least “try." You won’t know what interests you unless you think optimistically and try new things. Trial and error are a big part of being a creative and life overall. I wouldn’t have found photography if I didn’t try something new.
Mark Walton
Category: Landscape
Photographer Mark Walton is the founder of the foto:RE collective and the editor of foto:RE|VIEW magazine. He was a director and curator of FLASH: CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY HERE, an award-winning festival of photography held in Waterloo Region 2015-2017. He is the curator of The Stanley Rosenthall Collection of photography and the author of COMPLICITY, an autobiographical photographic exploration of the life of a reluctant colonialist. He has written for foto:RE|VIEW and PhotoED Magazine, and also sits on their editorial committee. Mark founded and is the director and editor of curated. by The COVERT Collective, a gathering of curators from across the country showcasing the work of fine artists of many disciplines.
Advice:
Find several photographers whose work you love and do a deep dive. Immerse yourself. Then try to recreate some of the images as best as you can. You’ll find that as you’re exploring their work, you’ll start to develop your own style as you make adjustments to your workflow. Shoot everything! Push yourself. Try new things. GO ANALOGUE!!
Lawrence O. Fajardo
Category: People
More than fifteen years ago, Lawrence began his photography adventure with an entry-level DSLR. His hands-on approach to learning, coupled with keen observation, instills in him a deep appreciation for each individual's uniqueness. When he engages with people through his camera, a genuine connection unfolds. Through his storytelling lens, he illuminates the beauty nestled within life's small yet profound moments and connects with his subjects personally to convey rich narratives in his work, finding beauty in everyday moments and the diversity of life.
Advice:
Taking a posed photo can sometimes feel awkward. Spending a couple of minutes with your subject and engaging with them as soon as possible will help break the ice and build a better connection. Play some music in the background, genuinely compliment them on their stylish eyeglasses or vintage jacket, and ask where they got them. The key to capturing great portraits is to have fun and radiate positive vibes that your subjects can sense and enjoy the process of turning that special moment into a memorable experience.
Our judges are looking forward to seeing your creativity and evaluating all of the photographs that are submitted. They can't wait to see what you come up with!
Featured photo by Sean Voskamp, 2023 second place winner in the architecture category