The Vankleek Hill Business & Merchants Association held their first photo contest last September… the overall subject was Vankleek Hill. Which made a lot of sense, so I hope someone got a promotion.

The theme is “My Hometown. Cherishing Heritage. Building our Future.” What scenes of Vankleek Hill show our heritage at its best? Where are there contrasts? What signs are there of what the future may hold for us? Where does the future intersect with the past?

Submissions and participation for this event are free. Please submit up to two images per category for consideration to an independent jury featuring experts on all things local, photography or design professionals. The top two winners from each of the following categories will have their winning images displayed at Arbor Gallery from October 12 to 16 and will then have their photos displayed in locations along Vankleek Hill’s Main Street for everyone to enjoy!

…from the original story in The Review: [link]

Like all things that are Firsts there were some hiccups. Like, the Contest was announced on August 5, with a deadline of September 30. Which is fine, lots of time to go through the archives and all that. The winners (top-2 in each category) went on display at Vankleek Hill’s Arbor Gallery [link] from October 12-16, however the announcement of the winning submissions didn’t happen until October 26.

So the contestants, at least this one, weren’t told who won until ten days after the show at the Arbor Gallery was over. The only reason I saw them in the Gallery is because a friend said she saw them there and told me I lost to shot of a chipmunk sitting on a Buddha’s head… which, of course, screams Vankleek Hill.

…I’m still a little weirded out that I came in Second in the “Best Study in Contrast” to a chipmunk. On a Buddha’s head. In a contest about Vankleek Hill.

But… I did come in second, which, for my first attempt at a photo contest, against some of the regions best photographers, is pretty decent.

I also came in Second in the “Best Streetscape” category — the categories were Best Landscape Entry; Best Study in Contrasts; Best Night-Time Photo; Best Streetscape, and; Best Heritage Preserved. I entered them all, so I didn’t place in three of them. You can see all the winners, including the chipmunk, here: [link]. My entries are all in the carousel below.

…if I could make a suggestion for the next one (and I hope there is a next one), have an opportunity for the top-3 in each category to have a meet and great. Or some kind of mini-Gala where all the contestants could meet as the winners are announced, the BMA could charge everybody $10 for a glass of wine. Just a thought… if you’re a member of the VKH BMA, feel free to steal it. You could get a promotion.

Regardless. I did enjoy seeing the photos that were submitted. And I did enjoy going through my archives. So… click on a photo to get the carousel going. Or not. No pressure.