Macro or close-up photo of your favourite flower, blossom or foliage in the garden. Location: Canada.

Photo of pollinators (butterflies, bees), insects, birds or other critters in the garden (remember the horticultural element). Location: National Capital area.

Photo depicting water in the garden or in nature, and in which a horticultural element is highlighted. May be a water feature (natural or fabricated), raindrops or dew on a garden flower or foliage, or a reflection on a water surface. Location: Canada.

Photo of native plants (perennials, shrubs, wildflowers) in gardens or in nature. Location: National Capital area/Eastern Great Lakes Ecoregion.

A colourful mixed garden bed, cottage garden, mass of blooms, or informal grouping of flowers and shrubs (no people in images please). Location: Canada.

A photo that depicts any one of the letters ‘O’, ‘H’, and ‘S’, horticulturally. Photographer’s choice and interpretation for this challenge. Location: Canada.

• 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 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 Thursday, 15th October 2026.

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).

The size of digital files should preferably be between 2 MB and 10 MB. Low-quality images will not be accepted.

• Aspect ratio example: 4x6, 8x10 is unrestricted.
• Entries may be adjusted for light and colour balance, and cropped.
• No enhancements such as added photo elements or digital modifications are allowed.
• If you image is selected to be on the OHS Yearbook cover or featured on the OHS FaceBook, you may be asked to agree to the sizing being modified by the OHS.
• 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 5_James Pringle _Gentiana andrewsii.

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

If submitting by email:

• Use the subject line: “2026 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.

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 2027 OHS Yearbook.  A cash prize of $5 will be awarded for the first-place winning photo in each Class, as evaluated by the Judge.

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 to Members in October, following the closure of the competition.

The overall "Best in Competition" winnder as voted by Members will receive a framed print of their winning image and a $25 case prize and will have their winning photograph featured on the OHS FaceBook banner.