Page Content
Teachers snap their way to success
The 2022 Gotcha! Photo Contest drew dozens of submissions from Alberta teachers. Here are the judges’ top-three picks, along with some honourable mentions.
The contest judges were Yuet Chan, veteran ATA News photographer and graphic designer, and Cory Hare, ATA News managing editor.
Prizes are awarded as follows
• 1st: $200
• 2nd: $100
• 3rd: $50
FIRST PLACE
Country road
A phys-ed class hits the road on their bikes.
Photographer: Laurie Dirsa, Breaking Point Colony School, Manning
Date of photo: May 13, 2022
Judges’ comments: Evocative is the word that best describes this photo, which owes its success to several elements:
- Diagonal lines that bring the eye to the subjects
- Subjects who are somewhat distant and cast in shadow
- Black-and-white finish
- The tilt of the lens
SECOND PLACE
Grit and determination
Grayson Butler of Red Deer fends off a would-be tackler during tournament play in Sherwood Park.
Photographer: Lesley Young, Hunting Hills High School, Red Deer
Date of photo: April 30, 2022
Judges’ comments: This photo captures the intensity and determination of sport, earning high marks for freezing a visceral facial expression while isolating two competitors against a relatively clean background and amid rugby’s chaotic swirl of bodies.
THIRD PLACE
Dancing to the light
Teacher Jessica Smeall displays her confidence following her first performance as a fancy shawl dancer.
Photographer: Nicole Kelley, École Mountain View School, Hinton
Date of photo: April 24, 2022
Judges’ comments: The sun’s backlighting of the dancer enhances the colour of the fancy shawl, which contrasts beautifully with the muted mountain landscape.
Honourable mentions
Say “I do”
Jasmine Fillatrault plays Donna and Cameron Roscoe plays Sam as students perform the wedding scene during a production of Mamma Mia!
Photographer: Lesley Young, Hunting Hills High School, Red Deer
Date of photo: March 4, 2022
Follow the leader
Grade 5 students demonstrate leadership during phys-ed class.
Photographer: Jennifer Cheung, River Valley School, Sundre
Date of photo: Jan. 12, 2022
Goodbye mask
Student Callum LaRoi tosses his COVID mask toward a waste receptacle.
Photographer: Mark Knoch, McNally High School, Edmonton
Date of photo: April 6, 2022
Budding botanist
Kindergartner Sarah gets up nice and close to observe a sunflower.
Photographer: Michelle Dickie, Varsity Acres School, Calgary
Date of photo: Oct. 6, 2021
Capturing the sun
Hinton teacher Nicole Kelley takes a moment to dance with nature after performing at an Indigenous education conference in Jasper.
Photographer: Jessie Smeall, École Mountain View School, Hinton
Date of photo: April 24, 2022
