Photography Contest
Edward Burtynsky
“My work focuses on how nature is shaped by industry. I explore the big moments in human history, like the ages of stone, oil, and technology. To show these ideas, I photograph places like recycling yards, mines, and refineries—places we rarely see but depend on every day.
These images are symbols of our modern struggle. We want comfort and success, but we know it comes at a cost to the planet. They reveal the tension between beauty and destruction, desire and guilt. My goal is to reflect the contradictions of our time”.
— EDWARD BURTYNSKY
Edward Burtynsky’s groundbreaking photography captures the environmental impact of human industry, blending artistic excellence with social consciousness. His work, featured in major global institutions, inspires critical reflection on sustainability and humanity’s role in shaping the planet.
The Gifted Arts Program at Laureate College will honour Burtynsky’s legacy through a high school photographic contest and exhibition, encouraging students to explore environmental themes while fostering critical thinking and artistic expression. To deepen this engagement, the awards night will open with a screening of Manufactured Landscapes, demonstrating the complementary power of film and photography in addressing global challenges. This initiative promotes innovation and thoughtful dialogue on urgent issues.
Important Dates
How to Enter
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025. 11:00 pm
Winners Announced: March 17, 2025
Award Ceremony: April 26 during our Arts Festival 2025.
Send all contest photos to [email protected] before February 28th, 2025!
Contest Details
Submission Guidelines
Theme
“Through the Eyes of Edward Burtynsky: My World Around Me”
Who Can Enter
High school students in Grades 9-12 (Ages 14-19).
Categories
Natural Order: Images of nature as a subject matter, capturing its inherent beauty and balance.
Water: Highlight water as an essential element of human survival, exploring its beauty, power, or scarcity.
Getting Close to Nature: Close-ups of textures from nature, showcasing intricate details and transformations.
1. Submit original photographs aligned with one or more of the categories.
2. Each participant may submit up to 3 high-resolution photos (JPEG format, 300 dpi).
3. Include a short description (50-100 words) explaining how your photo reflects the chosen category and the overall theme, and how the photograph and vision from Burtynsky helped you search for your shot.
Rules & Regulations
- All photos remain the property of the maker. Photos may be used as promotional material on social media and other Laureate platforms such as the website.
- All photos must be the original creation of the entrant and theirs to be legally used. Editing is fine but use your own creativity and no artificial intelligence-generated images. Judges’ decisions are final, and they have all rights to disqualify images they deem inappropriate.
- All permissions, permits and waivers for models and locations are the entrants’ sole responsibility.
- No nudity, or drug or alcohol use may be depicted.
- All photos are judged by our judging panel and all decisions are final.
- The People’s Choice Award is the photo that gets the most votes from the public during the two-hour time period allotted at our Gallery Gala on April 26th, 2025, during our April Arts Showcase.
- The “People’s Choice” Award is given to the photographer whose image scores the most votes at our Gala. One vote only per person. Bring your friends and family for more chances to win. This person will receive a 16×20 inch canvas print of their image redeemable at Burlington Camera & Digital. This winner will also have the image displayed at our April Arts Showcase in Laureate College on April 26, 2025.
- This photo contest is for the sole purpose of championing arts in the community and promoting the Laureate College Gifted Arts Program.
- Submissions are to be emailed to [email protected]. Contest closes 11 pm February 28, 2025
Requirements
High school students can enter up to 3 images for free.
Additional entries will be $20 Canadian dollars per image, and the payment can be by E-transfer to [email protected] (please indicate the contestant’s name).
Save photos as JPEG (.jpg). If your image contains people, where you can see their faces, you will need to ask them to sign a release form. If your image includes minors, where you can see their faces, you will need a signed release from the minor’s parent or guardian.
Send all contest photos to [email protected]
- JPEG with best quality setting
- 1400 pixels on longest size, 300 dpi
- Colour space sRGB or Adobe RGB no CMYK
- No watermarks or text included as description or on the image itself
- Naming: Laureate, artist’s name, short title – example: Laureate-JohnSmith-SunsetBeach
Prizes
Judging Panel
1st Place: $500 Gift Card + exhibition + Feature in our Exhibition
2nd Place: $300 Gift Card + exhibition + Online Showcase
3rd Place: $200 Gift Card + exhibition + Online Showcase
People’s Choice Award: Certificate + exhibition + Online Showcase
Honorable Mentions: Certificate + exhibition + Online Showcase
Award Ceremony:
Winners and the People’s Choice Award recipients will be celebrated at a special Award Ceremony held at The Galleries at Laureate, during the presentation of the acclaimed film Manufactured Landscapes by Edward Burtynsky.
Your work will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of experts:
- Walter Raemisch: Acclaimed Environmental Photographer
- Ixchel Suarez: Curator, Visual Artist, Photographer
- Gerardo Toledo: Award-Winning Visual Artist
The panel will assess submissions based on creativity, technical skill, and alignment with the category and theme.
2024 Photo Contest
Follow the link to view the 2024 Photo Contest winners!
