Photo of any artistic structure, sculpture, ornament, carving, topiary, wall, wood or stone art, or prop that complements or provides a focal point for a horticultural element. No people in images please. Location: open.

[Muse: Rideau Woodland Ramble (Merrickville); Canadensis Botanical Garden (Ottawa); AOG Art Trail (aoggallery.ca)]

Communities in Bloom has designated its 2025 theme as “The Edible Garden”. Show us your best edible garden harvest (fruits, vegetables, edible flowers). Can be an in-ground single item or collection, a garden bed, an artfully posed harvest display or a mouth-watering salad or fruit plate offering. Location: National Capital area.

[Muse: Giuseppe Arcimboldo, ‘Vertumnus’ (1591); Caravaggio, ‘Basket of Fruit’ (1599); P-A. Renoir, ‘Apples on a Plate’ (1883)]

Class 4: Aquatopia: Photo of a water feature (natural or fabricated) in the garden or in nature, and in which a horticultural element is highlighted. Location: open.

[Muse: Claude Monet, ‘The Water Lily Pond’ (1899); Claude Monet, ‘Water Lilies’ (1904); Thomas Fearnley, ‘Study of Water and Plants’ (1837)]

Close-up or full view of colourful Spring blossoms (flowers, shrubs, trees) that herald the awakening of our gardens. Location: National Capital area.

[Muse: Vincent van Gogh, ‘Almond Blossoms’ (1890); Giuseppe Arcimboldo, ‘Spring’ (1890); Vincent van Gogh, ‘Irises’ (1890)]

A colourful mixed garden bed, cottage garden, mass of blooms, or informal grouping of flowers and shrubs. No people in images please. Location: open.

[Muse: Claude Monet, ‘The Artist’s Garden in Giverny’ (1900); Gustav Klimt, ‘Flower Garden’ (1905); Takashi Murakami, ‘Flowers Blossoming’ (2010)]

Photo of your favourite houseplant, flower arrangement in a vase, terrarium, or indoor/outdoor container planting in full bloom; one that would be the envy of a Renaissance Master! Location: National Capital area.

[Muse: Jan Brueghel, ‘Vase of Flowers with Jewellery, Coins and Shells’ (1606); Mary Cassatt, ‘Lilies in a Window’ (1880); Vincent van Gogh, ‘Three Sunflowers’ (1888); Odilon Redon, ‘Grand Bouquet de Fleurs des Champs’ (1905)]

      (see entry criteria under “General Rule 2” below)

• Class 8A (age 12 and under): A photo of an interesting flower or garden bed.
• Class 8B (age 13-17): A photo that fits the theme of any of the 7 main Classes.

Eligibility & Sponsorship
- A Youth may submit an entry to Class 8 if sponsored by a Member who is a close relative (child, grandchild, niece/nephew).
- The sponsoring Member must submit the entry on behalf of the Youth.

Declaration Requirements
- The sponsoring Member must email a declaration to the Photography Competition Convenor at the time of submission.
- The declaration must include:
- Youth’s full name
- Relationship to the Member
- Age of the Youth (as of the competition closing date)

Entry Guidelines
- Each Youth may enter up to TWO images in their age Class.
- All images must be taken by the Youth.

Consent Note
- General Rule 6 does  not apply to Youth entries.
- Any future consent requests will be made through the sponsoring Member.

• Entries may be adjusted for light and colour balance, and cropped.

• No enhancements such as added photo elements or digital modifications are allowed.

• Each competitor (excluding Youth) may enter up to TWO images per Class.

• A specific photo may be entered into only one Class.

• All photographs must be taken by the OHS Member.

Photographs previously entered in an OHS photography competition are not eligible for the 2025 competition.

Unless otherwise indicated at submission, you give implicit consent for:

Your name and winning images to be reproduced in:

• • • • • • OHS Yearbook

          • The Dibbler

          • The Grapevine

          • Promotional materials

          • OHS website and/or Facebook page
            
            You will be credited and retain ownership of your images.

Entries must be submitted to the OHS Photography Competition Convenor by 9 pm on Monday, 6th October 2025.

Entries submitted after this date cannot be accepted. Entries may be emailed to the Convenor’s email address, or post-mailed or dropped off at the Convenor’s home address on a flash drive (USB memory stick).

Digital files should preferably be between 2 MB and 10 MB. Low-quality images will not be accepted.

• Entries may be adjusted for light and colour balance, and cropped.
• No enhancements such as added photo elements or digital modifications are allowed.
• Ensure the preferred orientation (portrait or landscape) for judging is clearly indicated.

Name each photo file using the format: Class number_Your name_Subject name Example: Class 4_Claude Monet_Water Lilies

Note: It is not the Convenor’s responsibility to rename your images.

If submitting by email:

• Use the subject line: “2025 OHS Photography Competition”

• Include your name and contact details (telephone and email) in the body of the email

• Specify the number of entries and the Classes entered

• Multiple emails are acceptable if needed

If submitting via post or drop-off:

• Include your name, email address, and telephone number in the envelope
• Indicate the number of entries and the Classes entered
• If you’d like your flash drive returned, include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage

Judging and placements will be based on merit. Images will be evaluated on their horticultural merit (40%), their photographic quality (40%), and the subject interest (20%). The Judge’s decision is final.

The “Best in Competition” winner will receive a framed print of their winning image and a $25 cash prize and will have their winning photograph appear on the cover of the 2026 OHS Yearbook. Prizes will also be awarded for the winning photos in each Class.

OHS Members will have an opportunity to vote for the first, second and third place images in each Class, as well as an overall People’s Choice “Best in Competition” winner. Details of the voting procedure will be provided in October.

The overall winner as voted by Members will receive a framed print of their winning image and a $25 cash prize and will have their winning photograph featured on the OHS Facebook banner. Prizes will also be awarded for the winning photos in each Class.