The Bondar Challenge
Objectives, Regulations and Judging Criteria
District of Algoma, Ontario
The theme of the Fall 2011 Bondar Challenge is
“Biodiversity and Extinction”
I. Objectives of the Competition:
Primary:
- To photograph something in the environment or an ecosystem that reflects the theme of “biodiversity and extinction” and can be artistically attractive when photographed
- To communicate an understanding of what aspect of the photograph makes it a strong artistic image and what the science is behind the components of the image
Secondary:
- To improve the camera techniques of the participant(s)
- To increase participant(s) understanding of the limitations of the camera
Expectations of What the Participating Schools Will Ensure:
- Students will have a basic knowledge of camera use and camera care. (Note: instruction manuals for cameras can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website as required)
e.g., the basics such as holding the camera still, fingers off the lens; camera control such as focus (dependent on camera type—autofocus or option for manual focus); light; use of a tripod if available; keeping camera dry and out of direct sun
- Students have been introduced to concepts of artistic composition e.g., framing the subject of interest, rule of thirds, foreground and background; observe in viewfinder for unintended objects
II. Challenge Rules & Requirements:
Participant Groups: The Fall 2011 Bondar Challenge is open to students in grades 9 to 12 in the Algoma School District.
Number of Entries: A student may submit only one entry to one of two categories of the competition: either the intermediate category (grades 9 and 10) or senior category (grades 11 and 12).
Entry Fee: No entry fee is payable.
Entry Deadline to the Foundation: By 5 p.m. on Friday, November 4, 2011 all submissions must be e-mailed by the participating school’s contact to: bondarchallenge@therobertabondarfoundation.org. The email should include the category intermediate (grades 9 & 10) or senior (grades 11 & 12), in which the student entry is competing, the photograph, the photograph notes and the essay. Each school participating will set its own deadline for in-school submissions to the Bondar Challenge contact.
Contest Submissions: An eligible submission to the contest consists of two elements, namely a photograph and an essay. All photographs must have been taken by the student him or herself. The requirements for the photograph and essay submission are described below.
Photograph Requirements: The photo must be an original photo taken by the student and should be sent as a jpeg file (.jpg) of high enough resolution to ensure good quality printing should the entry be selected for framing and display (e.g., for the maximum of an 8” x 10” print, 300 dpi and no larger than 3000 pixels in the largest dimension). Note that no software assisted digital alteration of the photograph is permitted. The following information, called “photograph notes”, must be provided in the same document as the essay:
- name of the photographer making the submission
- the competition category in which the entry is to be judged, i.e., intermediate or senior
- date and time the photograph was taken
- a title for the photograph
- weather at the time the photograph was taken e.g. sunny, overcast, partial cloud, rain, mist; and approximate temperature
- type of camera used
- camera settings
- place where the photo was taken
- whether the camera was handheld or tripod mounted (note: both are acceptable) or that an image stabilization camera feature was used
Essay Requirements: An original essay of approximately 250 words, authored by the student submitting the photograph, in a Word document or pdf format to accompany the photograph explaining:
- The aim of the photograph: what the entrant had in mind when the photograph was taken and whether or not the aim was achieved
- The artistic aspect: the composition that makes it an attractive image to the entrant
- The scientific aspect: the fact or principle that is illustrated; the Biome and Ecozone presented in the photo
- How the photograph contributes to an appreciation of science
- How the photograph could be improved—e.g. with a different point of view, by getting closer or farther away, through a different time of day or type of sky, in a different season
Participant Agreement: The Roberta Bondar Foundation respects rights related to copyright laws and intellectual property and therefore the participant retains the copyright of the image. By submitting to the Bondar Challenge competition, the participant agrees to abide by the rules and regulations including originality and takes any and all legal responsibility for breaches of copyright caused by plagiarism, intentional or otherwise. The Roberta Bondar Foundation reserves the right to disqualify inappropriate or unsuitable entries.
By entering the competition, the participant agrees to allow The Roberta Bondar Foundation, or any public or private agency authorized by The Foundation, to use a picture and name of the winning individual as well as the submission in whole or in part for any purpose including exhibition and research, for use on its website, in print or e-book publication form, and for marketing or promotional purposes as determined by The Foundation, without compensation of any kind.
Release of Liability: The Roberta Bondar Foundation, and/or its employees/agents involved in the contest will not be held liable for missing, mislabeled, damaged, or non-displayed photographs. By entry, the contest participant accepts this release.
Announcement of Results: Results will made available on The Roberta Bondar Foundation website. The winning entries will be framed and displayed in the final few weeks of the Travelling Exhibition and Learning Experience at the host gallery – the Art Gallery of Algoma – in early November through to December 11, 2011 and then posted on The Foundation’s website.
Judges: The Roberta Bondar Foundation has selected a number of judges from professions in the sciences, arts, education and photography. The evaluation will be performed to the best of the judges’ ability in a fair manner and represents the opinion of the judges. They will choose entries that best fulfill the Bondar Challenge Objectives based on the Judging Process and Criteria described below. Their decision on all entries is final.
Judging Process:
- Judges will read the essay first then review the image. The two components will be judged as an integrated whole;
- Each judge on his/her own will vet a group of photos and essays and will select the top ten entries as finalists in the competition;
- The selection of winners will be made by the judges working as a panel.
Judging Evaluation Criteria:
- The photograph submitted was in focus with no unintended motion
- Artistic dimensions such as:
a) Composition – not jumbled; no unintended objects
b) Focus of interest
c) Colour, lines, texture
d) What was it in the environment that was appealing? What attracted the participant to take the photo? - Scientific dimensions such as:
a) Accuracy of information presented
b) Photograph illustrates a scientific fact or principle
c) Photograph reflects the theme of the competition
d) Biome and/or Ecozone identified
Awards
- All entrants receive recognition of their participation in the Bondar Challenge
- A Certificate of Achievement signed personally by Dr. Bondar
- Winning individuals receive a special prize recognizing their achievement as a winner of the Bondar Challenge or a matted and framed copy of their image
- A donation of books to the school’s library
- A book for individual winners
- Recognition of the winning photographs and essays on The Roberta Bondar Foundation website
- Winning submissions travel with the Travelling Exhibition and Learning Experience to its next community location where they will be on public display as winners of the Bondar Challenge