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Our region has a rich, story-telling tradition—and the winning photos from our 2008 Amateur Photo Contest tell stories of their own.

Our character is reflected in our water: sometimes calm, sometimes rough and rocky, sometimes distant, always there. The water in the winning images of our 2008 Amateur Photo Contest captures our many East Coast moods-curious, reflective and constant. The shots bring out the kid-near-the-ocean in all of us.

Winners stretch from the West to the East, from BC to NS. This suggests that no matter where we settle, salt air always brings us home. The pool of this year's judges includes Greg Flasch, of Nikon, in Toronto-Greg is proud of his honorary status as an Atlantic Canadian, and owns a cottage near Howley, NL; Perry Jackson, Saltscapes' staff photographer, who has seen a goodly share of captivating regional vignettes; and Shawn Dalton, Saltscapes' creative and production director, who has the near-impossible job to determine what images tell the best stories each issue. Selecting winners from the "tousands and tousands" of submissions was a challenge! We thank everyone who participated.

Grand Prize

Photographer: Damon Brodie.
Location: Thunder Cove, PEI

"Ooooohhh, look what I found! It's a cave and it's dark and it's scary and it's exciting and I just know there are monsters, but there's lots of water and there might be treasures…." The treasure is the young mind facing a new challenge. Should he go in? Of course! Three-year-old Bobby Gavin from Grande Prairie, AB, discovered that he has the world at his toe-tips, and he's not afraid to explore it. Bobby's uncle, Damon Brodie, is a Maritimer living in Ottawa. He took the shot when the family converged on Thunder Cove, PEI-their favourite vacation destination. His prize is a Nikon D60 camera with all the trimmings.

 

Family Vacations

Winner

Photographer: Matt Finden.
Location: Holm Cove, PEI

Beyond the fringe lies the stuff that kids love: sand, mud and water. When Maya and Liam were at their family reunion last year in Belfast, PEI—along with 40 family members from all corners of the country—they looked forward to their daily jaunt to the beach through the grass at nearby Holm Cove. Matt Finden, originally from Halifax, and his wife, Fionna, were home from BC to introduce Maya and Liam to the joys of the East. May it live in their souls forever! Matt's prize is a Yamaha generator or outboard engine.

Honorable Mention

Photographer: Phillipe Graham.
Location: Risser's Beach, NS

Get a toe-hold on that sand dollar and it won't get away! The Graham family of four, of Halifax, are campers and beach hounds. This shot, taken at Risser's Beach, NS, called out for Dad's camera when Leana, almost 2, found a treasure. "This is a shot of what we love best: kids, nature and natural things," says Phillipe, who won an honorable mention in this contest two years ago. Always the educator, he takes his ESL students on jaunts that get them away from techie things to learn about Nova Scotia's nature, heritage and culture.

 

People/Folks

Winner

Photographer: Tammy Hattie
Location: Meteghan Beach, NS

"I've never won anything but my three kids," says a surprised Tammy. And they offer ample prize-winning moments. Take son Connor, 6. Look at the innocence as he and his grandfather's dog, Willow, also 6, rest after a day in the sun at Meteghan Beach, in southwest Nova Scotia. Tammy's prize is a Nikon camera-and none too soon. The family's old camera bit the dust after being dropped. Tammy, a nurse and now stay-at-home-mom, will put the new one to good use on the many family outings around their home in Yarmouth County. Her next career may include another award, as a noted photographer.

Honorable Mention

Photographer: Alexandre Campagna.
Location: Campbells Cove, PEI

"Maybe one day we'll move to the ocean where there is open space, fresh air, rocks and beaches, and I can be calm," says Alex. When he spotted his girlfriend, Adlin, on the point staring at the sea, he reached for his camera to record the moment forever. As a reminder of their dream he has framed this picture of Adlin, who grew up in Kingsboro, PEI, and keeps it in their home in Lac-Megantic, Que. Alex works at building custom furniture in his native province of Quebec. The couple visits PEI usually at Christmas and in the summer; the rest of the time they keep the dream alive with photos.

 

Atlantic Canadian Vistas

Winner

Photographer: Gina Newcombe
Location: Cottage Cove, NS

While bird watching on a winterish day, Gina Newcombe spotted a vista more enticing than the avian species she sought. The balance appealed to her: the natural roll of the sea that seems to go on forever, the abandoned weathered house that does not, and the chairs that invite you to sit and contemplate this for a bit. Gina, who moved to Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley from England eight years ago, spends her time enjoying hobbies that take her outdoors-with her camera, of course. This shot is at Cottage Cove, west of Hall's Harbour on the Bay of Fundy. Her prize is a three-day package of fun at Rodd Hotels in PEI.

Honorable Mention

Photographer: Dianne Crasswell.
Location: : Green's Point Lighthouse, L'Etete, NB

Never hike alone... you may need protection from wild things! In this case Dianne Crasswell's husband, Joey, took Reilly, 6-usually an indoor cat. (Their dog, Winston, stayed home to guard the house on this chilly January day.) When Dianne spotted the halo of light around Joey's head and the sun on Reilly's nose, she knew she had a keepsake photo-and it proved to be a winner! The Crasswells love to hike, especially around the picturesque southwest corner of New Brunswick where they were born and still live. The camera is always on hand; black and white shots are Dianne's favourites, and water seems to creep into the background of most. To read more about hiking with Reilly go to saltscapes.com.

 

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