2024 OHS Photography Competition

“THE CINEMATIC GARDEN”
“Light, flower, camera … action!”
Movies and flowers have much in common … romance, symbolism, variety, “plot”,
star-power and, of course, photogenic, and emotive beauty!
Flowers and gardens often have been a feature of movie premises, backdrops, props or key scenes.
Go ahead and create the photographic “trailers” that promote the essence, beauty and storytelling of our gardens!

CLASSES

Class 1: “Story of Flowers” (2017) – Macro, close-up or full image of your favourite and most interesting flower or plant. Photographer’s artistic depiction of the beauty of a flower. Location: open.

Class 2: “The Secret Garden” (1993 version) – Photo of a garden bench, patio, stone, or other sitting area within the surrounds of a garden, and which depicts a serene and restful place to sit and reflect on the beauty of a garden. Remember the horticultural element, and no people in images please. Location: open.

Class 3: “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991) – Whet our appetites with images of your best edible garden harvest (fruits, vegetables, edible flowers). Can be an in-ground single item or collection, a garden bed, or an artfully posed harvested display. Location: National Capital area.

Class 4: “Dreams of Giverny” (2017) – Photo of a water feature (natural or fabricated) in the garden or in nature, in which a horticultural element is highlighted. Location: open.

Class 5: “The Pollinators” (2020): Images of pollinators, insects, spiders or birds in the garden. Remember the horticultural element. Location: National Capital area.

Class 6: “Howards End” (1992): ‘Voluptuous vista’ of a colourful mixed garden bed, cottage garden, or informal grouping of flowers and shrubs. Location: open.

Class 7: “Dare to be Wild” (2015): Photo of native plant(s) or wildflowers in a garden or in fields. Location: National Capital area / Eastern Great Lakes ecoregion.

GENERAL RULES

1. The competition is open to Members of the Ottawa Horticultural Society (OHS).
2. Photographs submitted to the competition must portray the character, essence and/or beauty of flowers, plants and plant communities in a horticultural context. The photographer’s artistic vision and creativity are encouraged.
3. Entries may be adjusted for light and colour balance, and cropped, but must not be enhanced by adding photo elements or other modifications.
4. Each competitor can enter up to TWO images in each Class.
5. A photograph may be entered only once, i.e., into one Class only.
6. Photographs that were previously entered into an OHS photography competition cannot be entered into the 2024 OHS competition.
7. Unless you indicate otherwise at the time of submission, by entering the competition you give implicit consent that your name and the images of your winning photos may be reproduced by the OHS in the OHS Yearbook, the OHS newsletter, the Grapevine and promotional material, and displayed on the OHS website and/or Facebook page. You will be credited for your images and will retain ownership of them.
8. Entries must be submitted to the OHS Photography Competition Convenor on or before Thursday, 24 October, 2024. 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).
9. Non-compliance with the competition general rules or rules for entries can result in disqualification of an entry. Please contact the Convenor if further clarity of these rules is needed.

OHS Photography Competition Convenor: Larry Chamney Tel: 613-853-5014
Email:  chamneylg@gmail.com   Address: please contact the Convenor to request address if needed for submission of entries by post mail

RULES FOR ENTRIES

1. A digital copy of each photograph must be submitted. Images can be submitted digitally by email or on a flash drive (USB memory stick).
2. Please provide your images at the largest resolution possible (after cropping), although preferably less than 20 MB. Submitted digital files preferably should be at least 2 MB. Do not send low quality images.
3. The image aspect ratio (g., 4×6, 8×10) is unrestricted. However, if your image is chosen to be on the OHS Yearbook cover or featured on the OHS Facebook page, you may be asked to agree to the sizing being modified by OHS. Please ensure that the preferred orientation (portrait or landscape) for judging and display is clearly indicated in your submission.
4. Please name each of your digital photo files as follows: Class number; Your name; and Subject name.
   Example: Class 1_Dustin Lens My Favourite Echinacea. It is not the Convenor’s responsibility to rename your images.
5. If images are sent by email, ensure that the subject line is “2024 OHS Photography Competition”. Please ensure that your name and contact information (telephone, email) are included in the text of the email. The email text should also indicate the number of entries and the classes entered for the images that are attached to the email. Submission of entries through multiple emails is acceptable.
6. If entries are post-mailed or dropped off on a flash drive, include your name, email address and telephone number in your envelope, and indicate the number of entries and the classes entered for the images on the flash drive. If you would like your flash drive mailed to you after the competition, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with sufficient postage.

JUDGING AND AWARDS

There are two separate components to judging of entries: “Judge’s Choice” and “People’s Choice”.

SORRY! No Oscars or International Photography Awards (IPA) to be had, but framed prints and monetary prizes will be awarded at the December OHS AGM, where the winning photographs will be announced and presented. Winning images and photographers will also be featured on the OHS website and the OHS Yearbook.

JUDGE’S CHOICE

1. Entries will be evaluated by a Judge external to OHS, for the first, second and third place images in each Class. As well, an overall “Best in Competition” winner will be awarded for the image that, in the view of the Judge, shows exemplary artistic quality and technical excellence.
2. 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.
3. 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 2025 OHS Yearbook. Prizes may also be awarded for the top 3 photos in each Class.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

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 may also be awarded for the top 3 photos in each Class.

FILM SYNOPSES AND TRAILERS

Class 1: “Story of Flowers”: Parts 1 & 2 (2017, full versions):
A beautifully produced botanical animation series developed for children by Azuma Makoto to show them the deep connection between flowers and ourselves, and the power and potential of flowers. Part 1 explores the life cycle of flowering plants as they pass on the baton of life, rebirth, and decay, in a continuous, endless cycle.  Part 2 delves into the relationship between flowers and humans: the way we involve flowers in our lives through various cultures and practices. The animation looks at flowers not from a material viewpoint; instead seeing them as symbols of connection, a way we share emotions.  Trailer:  AMKK presents: Botanical animation “Story of Flowers” full ver. (youtube.com) Trailer:  AMKK presents: Botanical animation “Story of Flowers 2” full ver. (youtube.com)

Class 2: “The Secret Garden” (1993 version):
Sweet, beautifully told adaptation of Francis Hodgson Burnett’s classic story about a lonely orphan girl who goes to live with her uncle in a forbidding British manor house. Once there she finds friendship and happiness when she discovers a wonderous, deserted, secret garden that is brought back to life in her magical hands. Starring Academy Award-winner Maggie Smith.  Trailer:  The Secret Garden – Trailer (youtube.com)

Class 3: “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991):
Evelyn Couch (Kathy Bates) is having trouble in her marriage, and no one seems to take her seriously. Visiting relatives in a nursing home, she meets Ninny Threadgoode, an outgoing old woman, who tells her the story of Idgie Threadgoode, a young woman in 1920s Alabama. Through the lens of Idgie’s inspiring life, Evelyn learns to be more assertive and builds a lasting friendship of her own with Ninny.  Trailer:  Fried Green Tomatoes Trailer 1991 (youtube.com)

Honourable Mention # 1 (Class 3): “The Martian” (2015): Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) becomes stranded and alone on a hostile Mars, and must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to survive, including finding an innovative approach to growing potatoes for food. Organic gardening at its most basic level!      Trailer:   The Martian | Teaser Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX (youtube.com)

Honourable Mention # 2 (Class 3): “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes” (1978): Tomatoes become sentient by unknown means and revolt against humanity. Can a group of scientists band together to save the world from tomatoes that kill?      Trailer:  Attack of the Killer Tomatoes Trailer (youtube.com)

Class 4: “Dreams of Giverny” (2017, full version):
A modern-day ghost story told through the art of classical ballet, and set in the gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet, in Giverny. This short film tells the tale of a young woman who, upon reflection at the beauty of Monet’s water lily pond, slips into a daydream where she finds herself wearing pointe shoes and able to dance exquisitely. During this reverie, she encounters a ghost-like girl who guides her through the gardens, encouraging her to express her joy at the wonder of such a place through dance. By the end of their journey, we are left to ponder whether this was in fact a dream or a magical ghostly encounter?   Trailer:  Dreams of Giverny (2017) on Vimeo

Class 5: “The Pollinators” (2020):
The trials of the humble honeybee are magnified in this meticulous and magnificent documentary. Combining extensive interviews with purposeful nature photography, the film presents a thoroughly researched look at the causes and effects of the rapidly declining bee population in the United States. The cinematic journey follows migratory beekeepers and their truckloads of honey bees as they pollinate the flowers that become the fruits, nuts and vegetables we all eat.    Trailer:  Bing Videos

Honourable Mention (Class 5): “Bee Movie” (2007):  The animated film centers on Barry, a honey bee who tries to sue the human race for exploiting bees after learning from his new human florist friend Vanessa that humans sell and consume honey. When the honey corporation spitefully stops production and hoards the last remaining pollen, every bee is put out of a job, and all the world’s flowers begin to die out without any pollination. Barry and Vanessa steal the pollen and reverse the damage and save the world’s flowers, restarting the bees’ honey production.     Trailer:  Bee Movie – Official Trailer 2007 [HD] – YouTube

Class 6: “Howards End” (1992): With a stellar cast, the movie (based on the book by E.M. Forster) explores class and family relations in early 20th century Britain. Set amidst the gardens of a British estate known as Howards End, covered in vines and surrounded by formal and informal gardens. The opening scene shows Vanessa Redgrave walking through wildflowers at twilight. Also featured is a beautiful woodland scene of bluebells in the dawn light.  Trailer:  Bing Videos

Honourable Mention (Class 6): “My House in Umbria” (2003): After surviving a gruesome terrorist attack on an Italian train line, romance novelist Mrs. Emily Delahunty (Dame Maggie Smith) opens up her home and solitary life to a trio of stranded survivors. She soon forms friendships with each, but develops a special attachment to the young orphan Aimee. When Aimee’s distant uncle arrives to retrieve her, Emily strives to convince the cold, mourning man that Umbria is Aimee’s rightful home. Set amongst the beautiful cottage gardens of an Umbrian home.    Trailer:  my house in umbria (youtube.com)

Class 7: “Dare to be Wild” (2015):
This is the true story of Mary Reynolds, a feisty landscape designer whose goal is to share the beauty of wild nature with the world. With the odds stacked against her, Mary enters the prestigious (and conservative) Chelsea Flower Show to execute a competition garden using only wild plants. To achieve her goal, she must enlist handsome botanist, Christy Collard, and a rag-tag group of hippies to help her. From the iconic green hills of Ireland, to the vast, dry deserts of Africa and the bustle of London pageantry, this spirited Irish drama takes you on a sweeping romantic, environmental and gardening adventure.   Trailer:  Dare to Be Wild Official International Trailer (youtube.com)