Contributed by BFC Member Michael Martin

Hey Buttonville Flying Club (BFC) let’s all have some fun.  During the cold, dark days of winter, when flying opportunities are limited. And COVID still has its grip on our daily life, it is time to get creative, get some exercise and fresh air, and do something interesting.

So, here is an exclusive invitation to the members of the Buttonville Flying Club.  Let’s get out our cameras and have a photo contest.  It is important to include everyone so we will run three categories so everyone can have a chance to win the prizes.

What are the prizes?  As Forest Gump said, “Do you want a chocolate?  I could eat about a million and a half of these.  My mama always said life was like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're going to get.”

So, our prize will be a deluxe 24-piece box of chocolates.  But, not just any chocolates.  We are offering a box of premium chocolates from “Peace by Chocolate”.   Here is Prime Minister Trudeau talking about this famed Chocolatier.  https://peacebychocolate.ca/pages/our-story

The time frame for this contest is from 12:01 am, January 1, 2021 until 11:59 pm, March 31, 2021.  All times are Eastern Time Zone for Toronto.  All photos must be taken within this window of time.  You will need to submit a large sized JPEG image of at least 1 MB, but not larger than 3 MB, with at least 1000 dpi on either the horizontal or vertical edge.  By making a submission you are asserting that the submission was taken within the time frame stated.  All images, regardless if taken digitally or on film, need to be submitted in a JPEG digital file format via email to the address provided below.  We will have three categories.

• Aviation – on the ground or from the air

• Nature - Waterfalls and Streams

• Nature – Animals, domestic or in the wild

All photographs submitted must be taken outdoors.  So, go for a walk and get some fresh air and exercise.  Be sure to practice safety first by wearing a mask, maintaining at least 6 feet / 2 metres away from others, and washing your hands.

Please include a brief description with a maximum of 250 words with your photo to be shared with the members online.  Also, include a title for your photograph submission, humours titles add points.

Photos will be judged on the context to the category, framing, exposure, colourimetry (or B&W), detail, storytelling, lighting, and aesthetics. 

All images will be judged by famed aviation photographers “Gus and Clara”.  The judge’s decisions will be final.  Winners will be announced on April 16, 2021.

Please read all of the terms and conditions of this contest fully and by submitting your photos you will be deemed to have agreed to all of them and will waive all rights other than as described below.

Rules and Guidelines for this contest

• Which cameras can you use?  Whatever camera you have!  You can shoot with a smartphone, a DSLR, or a film camera, the choice is yours to decide.  All cameras and technologies – digital or film are acceptable to use.

• One entry per category per BFC member.  

• Photos will be posted online in various social media venues and on the BFC web site.

• Please use the prescribed naming convention to identify your photo, as follows:

• • Rename the submission by using your BFC membership number and the category name that you are submitting to:  [insert your BFC membership number here]-[category].jpg or 123456-aviation.jpg

  • By using your BFC membership number, we can identify you and keep the submissions anonymous for the judging review.

• All photographers will retain the ownership of their submitted images and by entering this contest agree to allow the Buttonville Flying Club to use these images online or in any manner at its sole discretion.  

• Only the winners will be notified via return email.  So, please include your detailed contact information with your submission.  

• All submissions must be from members in current standing with club members by the close of the contest.  

• All submissions must be original work taken by the BFC members within the defined time frame.  

• Entries will only be accepted via email to mjmartin24601@gmail.com in before 11:59 pm on March 31, 2021.  

• We reserve the right to disqualify any entry that is deemed inappropriate or does not conform to stated contest rules.  

• No nudity or profane content will be accepted.  

• We reserve the right to disqualify any submission at our sole discretion for any reason whatsoever.  Our decisions are final.  

• No submissions will be accepted after the close of the contest deadline of March 31, 2021 at 11:59 pm ET.  

• The photo must be in its original state and cannot be altered in any way, including but not limited to removing, adding, reversing, or distorting subjects within the frame.  Resizing the image to meet the file size limitation is acceptable as long as the EXIF data is retained and included with the submitted photo.

• The photographer is responsible to have secured prior permission to include any persons or personal information visible within their submitted photograph and will agree to save the organizers of this context and the Buttonville Flying Club harmless and will sign an indemnification agreement before being named a winner.

• We reserve the right to amend the rules and guidelines of this contest at any time.