Judging criteria: transparent & consistent
| Criteria | Max. points allowed | |
| 1 | New! Did you include a detailed photo description? No= 0 points. Yes=10 points | 10 |
| 2 | Impact, Creativity, Storytelling | 10 |
| 3 | Technical Excellence, Focus, Colour Balance, Lighting | 10 |
| 4 | Composition, Centre of interest, Subject Matter | 10 |
| Total Possible for each photo submitted: | 40 |
Scoring criteria explained
1: Photo Description
- 10 points if this is submitted with your photos
- 40 words or less
- Tell us what is special about this place, creature or plant
- How this place, creature or plant lives with the other natural features of Bowen Island
2: Impact, Storytelling, Creativity
- Impact is the sense one gets upon viewing an image for the first time. Compelling images evoke wonder, laughter, sadness, anger, pride, wonder, or some other emotion.
- Storytelling refers to the image’s ability to deliver a biodiversity message or evoke the imagination about biodiversity.
- Creativity is the original, fresh, and external expression of the maker’s art or imagination by using the medium to convey an idea, message or thought about biodiversity.
3: Technical Excellence, Focus, Color Balance, Lighting
- Technical Excellence is the quality of the image itself as it is presented for viewing. Sharpness, exposure, processing, and correct colour are some items that speak to the qualities of the image.
- Focus is that sharp and detailed portion of the main subject of the image. However, intentionally leaving your main subject out of focus can also create stunning images.
- Colour Balance supplies harmony to an image. An image in which the tones work together, effectively supporting the image, can enhance its emotional appeal. Colour balance also presents the tones of the image that is believable to the viewer. Colour balance is not always harmonious and can be used to evoke diverse feelings for effect.
- Lighting refers to how dimension and shape are defined in an image. The lighting should enhance the image.
4: Composition, Centre of interest, Subject Matter
- Composition is important to the design of an image, bringing all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of the image. Proper composition holds the viewer’s attention and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing depending on the intent of the image maker.
- Centre(s) of interest is the point or points on the image where the maker wants the viewer to stop as they view the image. There can be primary and secondary centres of interest. Occasionally there will be no specific centre of interest when the entire scene collectively serves as the centre of interest.
- Subject Matter should always be appropriate to the biodiversity topic or story being told in an image.
Photographers’ Code of Conduct
We photograph nature because we love it. And for the same reason, participants in this contest agree to:
- Prioritize the well-being of Nature over photography
• We never cause harm to the natural world in our pursuit of photography.
• We minimize impact to the greatest degree possible to preserve and protect these places we love. - Follow ‘Leave No Trace‘ principles
- Respect boundaries
• We stay out of areas in parks, sanctuaries, and all protected areas that have been closed to visitors to safeguard sensitive plants, wildlife, and habitats.
• We get permission to enter private property from owners. - Reflect on the possible impact of our actions
Are we trampling sensitive vegetation, or disturbing nesting areas, etc. in order to get a good wildlife photo? - Consider how our behaviour affects the experience of other users of natural places.
The photo judges
Images will be reviewed by experienced nature photographers. Photos will be judged on: creativity, biodiversity storytelling, technical excellence, and composition.
Jeff Matheson is a professional biologist dedicated to the stewardship and sustainable management of British Columbia’s diverse biological resources. He is a former member of Bowen Island Municipality’s Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee and served on the board of the Bowen Island Conservancy.
Will Husby is an avid naturalist and nature photographer. He is co-chair of the Bowen Nature Club and chair of Bowen Island Municipality’s Parks, Environment and Climate Action Advisory Committee. He runs his heritage interpretation and science community consulting business from his home on Bowen Island.
Len Gilday Following many years producing, directing, and photographing documentary films about science and natural history subjects for Canadian and international broadcasters, Len now focuses his lenses on Bowen plants, animals (including humans!), and landscapes. Len is a member of the creative team behind Bowen best-seller The Marine Atlas of Nex̱wlélex̱wem/Bowen Island and Discovering Kwilakm — a guide for exploring the human and natural history of Kwíla̓km/Deep Bay/Mannion Bay. Both books are published by the Bowen Island Conservancy.