Winners of the Contest
We asked our participants to send us their 'Stories of Impact' as a reflection on what inspired them to submit their photos.
1st Place: Rebecca Wong, Mechanical Engineering, on her Spring 2018 work term in Hong Kong
Rebecca says, "This image shows lunch one quiet Saturday afternoon from my grandparent’s kitchen in Hong Kong. They frequently have noodles for lunch as it is simple and delicious. Kitchens in Hong Kong are old-fashioned compared to Canadian ones, typically with gas tabletop stoves. Although space is more limited that in Canada, comfort is found in the small things. Through having a work term here, I have been able to reconnect with family and fully experience daily life in Hong Kong. The mountains in the background also depicts how contrast-filled Hong Kong is, with nature and city life never too far apart."
2nd Place: Ryan Cohen, Environment and Business, on his Winter 2018 work term in Uganda
Ryan says, "While on a co-op in Uganda, my co-workers and I took the opportunity to tour the country’s national parks. This wildlife encounter occurred in the isolated Kidepo Valley National Park in Northern Uganda. We came across this elephant late in the day, and as I took my final shots of the charismatic creature, he began stamping the ground and inching toward our vehicle. We took our cue to move on, and as we departed I asked our guide if elephants ever charge vehicles. He paused as we moved a safe distance away and responded, “It’s been known to happen …”"
All photo contest submissions
Click on the photos below to see the stories behind them:
FRANCE: "This photo was taken on July 15th 2018, the day of the world cup finals. I chose not to watch the match in Paris because I knew it would get crazy no matter how France did (as they were one of the competing teams), but it turns out that I underestimated my host city (Compiègne, population 44000). I watched the game in a walled-in park with thousands of others, cheering on France, and as they brought home the victory, the crowd migrated en masse to the city center, where people danced, drank, and set off a large amount of pyrotechnics."
HONG KONG: "This image shows lunch one quiet Saturday afternoon from my grandparent’s kitchen in Hong Kong. They frequently have noodles for lunch as it is simple and delicious. Kitchens in Hong Kong are old-fashioned compared to Canadian ones, typically with gas tabletop stoves. Although space is more limited that in Canada, comfort is found in the small things. Through having a work term here, I have been able to reconnect with family and fully experience daily life in Hong Kong. The mountains in the background also depicts how contrast-filled Hong Kong is, with nature and city life never too far apart."
POINT REYES, CA: "One hour north of San Francisco lies the foggiest and windiest place on the West Coast, Point Reyes National Seashore. Further inland historic ranches from the 1850’s are still occupied today. Meanwhile, on the coast, where this picture was taken the wind and the fog are strongest. The forceful winds bend the trees as they grow, if they are stable enough to survive. The few structures exist along the weather battered coastline are small shacks, except for a single lighthouse that has endured the harsh conditions for 150 years."
INDONESIA: "One of the challenges of photography is realizing that oftentimes pictures are not nearly capable of capturing the true essence of a person or place. The picture here, of a popular active volcano in Indonesia called Mount Bromo, was one of those rare moments – for me – when a picture was able to depict the splendor of the place it was framing. I took this picture shortly after sunrise, when the sun’s rays enveloped the mountainous terrain in a pinkish glow. It was the most breathtaking sight I have ever witnessed."
GREECE: "This is a picture of the Majestic Temple of Poseidon sunset. It stands on a craggy cliff that plunges almost 100m to the Mediterranean Sea. This temple id dedicated to Poseidon, God of the Sea and sailors in ancient times knew they were nearly home when they saw the first glimpse of beautiful, tall, white marble columns. Across Greece, from east to west and the islands, one can admire amazingly beautiful sunsets. After having travelled all over Europe during my co-op term, I can agree that Greek sunsets are magical and incomparable to any other."
ICELAND: "This photo was taken at Gljúfurárfoss, a waterfall located in the Southern Region of Iceland. This beautiful fall cascades down a deep gorge behind a cliff wall that you must climb through to see. I was COMPLETELY soaked from the surrounding mist, but the experience was worth it. Although I visited many touristic locations during my stay, this was a hidden gem often overlooked by its neighbouring waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. As cheesy as it may sound, it made me realize that there’s so much more to discover when you go off-road in your adventures…you just need to know where to look!"
WASHINGTON, DC: "This is a photo of a subway station. As an architecture student, I was struck by the grandeur of the space and the use of light to highlight the unique architectural elements of the space. As a visitor to the city, I was impressed by the value placed on and the celebration of transportation infrastructure, as it is something frequently overlooked by residents and tourists alike."
JAPAN: "This photo displays the unique charm of Japan. The foreground illustrates the beauty of the blooming Sakura, more commonly known as cherry blossoms, which is of one Japan's national flowers. The background captures the essence of the infamous Osaka Castle, a raised castle group which played a large role in unifying Japan during the Azuchi-Momoyama period in the 16th century. Learning about the rich history of the intelligent structural design while also taking in breathtaking scenery made this a highlight of my entire trip."
UGANDA: "While on a co-op in Uganda my co-workers and I took the opportunity to tour the country’s national parks. This wildlife encounter occurred in the isolated Kidepo Valley National Park in Northern Uganda. We came across this elephant late in the day and as I took my final shots of the charismatic creature, he began stamping the ground and inching toward our vehicle. We took our cue to move on and as we departed I asked our guide if elephants ever charge vehicles. He paused as we moved a safe distance away and responded “It’s been known to happen…”"
SWITZERLAND: "This awe-inspiring photo was taken one chilly morning right outside my office, in the small village of Zuoz, Switzerland, home of the international boarding school Lyceum Alpinum. This was my view for the entirety of my work term and not for a moment was I ever sick of it. My favourite aspect of living in the mountains was always being eye to eye with the early morning mist; it gave me fond memories of my early childhood fantasies of living among the clouds. "
YOSMITE, CA: "I’ve travelled around the world, from Paris to Singapore; Yosemite captivates me as one of the most breathtaking places I’ve seen. It is the depth of the valley, the clarity of the water, and the purity of the untouched nature that makes being in Yosemite, a mesmerizing experience. If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space – being at the edge of the Yosemite Valley is one of the most breathtaking experiences of my life."
SAN FRANCISCO, CA: "This is a closeup photo of residential San Francisco seen from Lombard street. I was inspired to submit this photo because it reflects how vibrant and bustling the City is!"
