August 2023 50/50 Challenge

Match Brief Summary

Upon Closer Examination...

“Nothing is more humbling than to look with a strong magnifying glass at an insect so tiny that the naked eye sees only the barest speck and to discover that nevertheless it is sculpted and articulated and striped with the same care and imagination.” 

― Craig Rudolf Arnheim, Art Philosopher 

“The trick to forgetting the big picture is to look at everything close up.” 

― Chuck Palahniuk, author (Fight Club)

Guest Judge: Dara Ojo (click the link to read the full bio over at the blog and keep scrolling down to view sample images)

Full Match Brief: Upon Closer Examination (click the link tor keep scrolling down to read the Full Match Brief)

Objectives

Technical: standard merits as applied to macro photography (composition, focus, stacking, etc.)

Creative: unique perspectives, looking closer to see a bigger picture, creative interpretation of the brief

EDI: unconscious bias, challenging fear-based perspectives

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following year. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

Title and Artist Statement: The title of your image should reflect the spirit or theme of your submission; the accompanying Artist's Statement includes a brief explanation of both your inspiration and your process.

Entries Open: August 1, 2023 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: August 21, 2023 @ 11:59pm MST

Winner Announced: August 31, 2023

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

August 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief

Upon Closer Examination...

“Nothing is more humbling than to look with a strong magnifying glass at an insect so tiny that the naked eye sees only the barest speck and to discover that nevertheless it is sculpted and articulated and striped with the same care and imagination.” 

― Craig Rudolf Arnheim, Art Philosopher

“The trick to forgetting the big picture is to look at everything close up.” 

― Chuck Palahniuk, author (Fight Club)

Contrary to popular belief, viewing the world from a “macro” perspective has little to do with looking at microscopic things with a magnifying glass and everything to do with observing small details to reveal, interpret, and understand the world we live in. If you’ve ever pondered the meaning of, “Can’t see the forest but for the trees,” this month’s challenge will spell it out in great detail.

~~~

Horror movies are supposed to scare us. They tap into tiny deep-seated visceral fears and phobias embedded in our collective (albeit often unconscious) human psyche by portraying scenarios that set us on edge. They build uncomfortably familiar situations that trigger our default “fight or flight” instinct. Broadly speaking, humans are programmed to do this out of self-preservation, but in the real world, encountering things (real or imagined) that we perceive as a threat or danger (real or imagined) can lead to experiencing a (real or imagined) world rooted in mistrust and fear instead of understanding and curiosity. In a presumably safe and controlled environment, fear becomes excitement and often turns into shared laughter. What happens in the moment,  though? Well - that’s often an entirely different story.

Picture this.

It's late summer. It’s just before sunrise on a Saturday morning. For two weeks, long days of blistering heat have been followed by short nights of violent thunderstorms that rip up the skies from dusk ‘til dawn.

You started (and subsequently ended) your Friday late due to yet another power outage that lasted so long that by late Saturday afternoon your phone still isn’t fully charged. In the distance you hear the mechanical hum of folks with mowers doing short laps across their lawns. They are trying to tame grass and weeds that seem to thrive in this weather before the heat or next storm hits. You consider doing the same but decide to enjoy a short walk in the cool air instead. You note your phone battery is at 6% but turn on your music anyway as you venture out into a low blanket of fog creeping across the ground.

You walk long enough you barely notice that the music feeding your earholes has stopped. You are temporarily blinded by one, two, five, eight, twenty flashes of brilliant white. You fumble for your cell phone to help you navigate the waning twilight but quickly realize your dead battery is no help. 

You stop and wait for your eyes to adjust, your other senses heightened. There has been a sudden drop in the temperature. Your skin is clammy. You feel your own heartbeat thrumming against the silent ear buds still pressed into your ears as you instinctively remove them and begin sniffing the air.

Expecting the smell of gasoline and fresh lawn clippings or perhaps ozone from the lightning, your nostrils are instead filled with smoke from surrounding forest fires that have combined with the humidity, making the air you’re trying to draw into your lungs thick and dense and suffocating.

You freeze. Listen. Wait for the low rumble of thunder from the encroaching storm. But the lawnmowers have stopped and all you can hear are your own laboured breathing, buzzing insects, and something large rustling in the foliage just inches from where you are frozen. Wishing you had remembered bug repellent you helplessly flail your arms around your head, swatting at bugs you can hear but cannot see, as you desperately squint at the faint fading light filtering through nearby branches.

You glimpse the silhouette of something large crawling on all fours. The shape rises to stand on two feet. Light glints off a pair of shiny black eyes set into dark brown skin, bright white teeth spread into an impish grin, and the tall figure emerges from the trees with its arms extended towards you. In the dim light you notice a large spider splayed across the palm of one hand, a shiny black beetle on the other.

A bright steady light flicks on, emanating from the figure’s head, and it reminds you of that one time the dentist started drilling without administering enough novocaine. Paralyzed with fear, moths flutter around the light and mosquitoes pierce your flesh as a deep male voice laced with a thick foreign accent gently beckons you to step into the woods, promising to show you a whole new world if you would only accept the invitation and take a closer look…

~~~

Pause for a moment and (without filtering your thoughts) ask yourself what you fear might happen next? What made you squeamish? What parts fetl the MOST dangerous or threatening (and why?) and what DID not feel dangerous or threatening (and why not?) How did your age, sex/gender/orientation, your physical health, your religious, cultural or spiritual beliefs, pop culture and media influences, and your own fears, phobias, and after-dark experiences impact what did or did not create a sense of danger?

~~~

Edmonton-based macro photographer Dara Ojo does not claim to be an expert on either photography or entomology, yet he has been taking the world by storm with his incredible photos of creepy crawlies since a photo he snapped of a longhorn beetle during pandemic boredom went viral. 

The Nigerian-born IT specialist lived and studied in the UK and China before ending up in Canada. He is the first to admit that prior to the pandemic, he could not have imagined that a childhood fear of spiders and a penchant for playing with his father’s clunky broken camera would one day see him overcoming his phobia and creeping around on all fours in near darkness to snap extreme close-ups of insects and arachnids. Fear was replaced with curiosity when Dara began learning about insects, their physiology and behaviour, and the part they play in the ecosystem. In a recent interview he confessed he isn’t quite ready to own a pet tarantula yet and explained in this interview that he gets mixed reactions to not only his chosen genre of photography (the stuff phobias are made of) but how he does it (in near-darkness) and who he is (a person of colour who has experienced both open racism and systemic bias) the bottom line is that come rain or come shine, hunting bugs to shoot with a camera is his now preferred summertime activity.

By now it should come as no surprise that this month’s Match Brief is a macro challenge. Knowing now that a chance encounter with Dara might read a bit like the opening scene of a horror movie, the extra challenge this month is to get curious about the unconscious unfamiliar, and spend some time learning something new about yourself, your subject, and your environment. Dara invites you to explore the world in a new way.

Challengers, as always you are welcome to enter a photo from your archives, but this is your opportunity to get out there and like the director of a great horror movie, make the unfamiliar comfortable and the familiar uncomfortable. Whether you decide to create an image that makes terrifying things beautiful and enticing or make something so uninteresting it’s boringly abstract, your Challenge this month is to introduce your audience to the proverbial forest by exposing the trees using macro photography.

Challengers, you have until 11:59 MST, August 21, 2023 to submit your entry. We encourage everyone to get out and create something new, but you are also welcome to dig through your archives and submit any image that fits the Brief. Visit www.theshootingrange.ca for FAQs and competition guidelines.

Title and Artist Statement: The title of your image should reflect the spirit or theme of your submission; the accompanying Artist's Statement includes a brief explanation of both your inspiration and your process.

Objectives

Technical: standard merits as applied to macro photography (composition, focus, stacking, etc.)

Creative: unique perspectives, looking closer to see a bigger picture, creative interpretation of the brief

EDI: unconscious bias, challenging fear-based perspectives

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following year. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

Title and Artist Statement: The title of your image should reflect the spirit or theme of your submission; the accompanying Artists Statement includes a brief explanation of both your inspiration and your process.

Entries Open: August 1, 2023 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: August 21, 2023 @ 11:59pm MST

Winner Announced: August 31, 2023

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

NOTES

Please note that if there are humans other than yourself with visible faces in your images you will need to include a Model Release.

July 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief

A Shot in the Dark

“I am a forest, and a night of dark trees: but he who is not afraid of my darkness, will find banks full of roses under my cypresses.”

― Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra

“A man must dream a long time in order to act with grandeur, and dreaming is nursed in darkness.”

― Jean Genet

Historically, Indigenous peoples around the globe have treasured the night sky. The stars were used to navigate the land and sea while stories inspired by them were used to teach everything from science and natural law to spirituality and family history. Many of these stories have been lost or forgotten as a result of colonisation, which is why Cree knowledge-keeper Wilfred Buck has spent decades collecting and reconstructing long-lost star stories and teaching them to others, including his own community, and rekindling a passion for stargazing with events like Tipis and Telescopes.

Not everyone loves being under a blanket of stars, though. Robbed of daylight, our senses heightened, we are forced to pay closer attention to our surroundings and become hyper-aware of things that go bump in the night. Things we easily recognize by the light of day become unrecognizable shadows. For some, darkness inspires fear and the thought of being outdoors after sunset is the stuff scary stories and nightmares are made of. But Photographers like this month’s Guest Judge Monika Deviat think darkness is where magic happens. For her, like Wilfred Buck, it arouses curiosity and wonder, inspires creativity, and brings solace and peace through connecting with nature. Her night sky imagery reflects the deep love and respect she holds for the world around her, and for July, she is inviting Challengers to be brave, venture out into nature, and take A Shot in the Dark. Freed from the visual distraction of having every inch of the world around you touched by light and armed with your camera and tripod, you will quickly discover why it has inspired so many stories.

We are really excited to see what you come up with for this month’s Brief, and kindly ask everyone to ask permission or obtain a permit for the location they’re shooting if needed and (most importantly) leave no trace by ensuring you stick to trails and packing in everything you packed out. Rare Earth also wishes to remind everyone how important safety is. Dress appropriately for the location, bring a headlamp or torch to light your way to/from your car and your location, be aware of and prepared for hazards like wildlife, bad weather, and trail closures, and make sure you tell someone where you are going. Lastly, we discourage photographers from geotagging - it robs people of the adventure of exploring and increases the likelihood of wilderness areas being over-visited by under-prepared adventurers who may not respect the land or understand the risks involved.

Your submission must a) be taken at night, b) feature an element of nature, and c) be accompanied by a brief statement explaining what you love about the night sky or include a link to your favourite star story, whether it’s one that you already knew or one that you learned while doing this challenge

Challengers, you have until 11:59 MST, July 21, 2023 to submit your entry. We encourage everyone to get out and create something new, but you are also welcome to dig through your archives and submit any image that fits the Brief. Visit www.theshootingrange.ca for FAQs and competition guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

Technical: standard merits (composition, focus, etc.)

Creative: night photography, nature photography

EDI: land, nature, Indigenous star stories 

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

NOTES

Please note that if there are humans other than yourself with visible faces in your images you will need to include a Model Release.

June 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief

Shine Your Own Light

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us.” ~Jane Austen

"We live in a society that wants to label you with a color, sexuality, religion, or ethnicity. It divides us, but it also allows us to find pride in our identity." ~ Logan Browning

MATCH BRIEF

“Pride” is a term that has a conflicted history. A quick search for the meaning of the word brings back a mixed bag of quotes that on one hand applaud it and on the other shame it, making it difficult to discern whether being “proud” is a good thing or a bad thing.

This month’s Guest Judge Mag Hood is a firm believer that we should all honour ourselves and shine our own light from time to time. We should be proud of who we are, how we identify, who and how we love, what we have accomplished, why and how we do what we do, and embrace all the other wonderful things that we love about our unique selves.

Mag is inviting Challengers this month to be a little bit vulnerable and share what makes them personally feel pride. Some may wish to make a statement about identity, allyship, or diversity while others may want to celebrate an accomplishment they don’t often share (maybe you’re a champion gardener or design incredible hats - let’s see those prize-winning blooms and charming chapeaus!!!)  - and for those who are sometimes shy this may take a little (or a lot) of courage - but whatever you decide to submit, it should originate from your most authentic self and make your heart swell with esteem, self-love, and (of course) pride.

Your submission should include an  image (preferably landscape orientation) of any subject and style of your choosing (portraiture, pets, nature, street photography, etc.) and must 1) be a compelling image based on its own technical merits with an emphasis on creative use of lighting and 2) be accompanied by a brief explanation of how and why it represents pride to you.

Challengers, you have until 11:59pm MST June 21, 2023 to submit your entry. Whether you venture out to create something new or ultimately end up submitting an image you’ve previously taken, we encourage you to get out and sink your creative teeth into this month’s Challenge!

OBJECTIVES

Technical: standard merits (composition, focus, etc.)

Creative: dynamic, dramatic, or delicious use of lighting lighting

EDI: pride, diversity, authenticity, vulnerability

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

NOTES

Please note that if there are humans other than yourself with visible faces in your images you will need to include a Model Release.

May 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief

The Extreme Perfection of Happy Accidents

"Our bravest and best lessons are not learned through success, but through misadventure."

~ Amos Bronson Alcott

“Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.” 

~Ben Okri

“We don’t make mistakes, we have happy accidents.” ~Bob Ross

Certain photographers go to extremes - extreme heights, extreme depths, extreme weather, extreme distances - in pursuit of the perfect photo, but things don’t always go according to plan. Canada’s own Dave Brosha, our Guest Judge for the May 2023 Match Brief, has literally written the book on this subject. In his own words, “A misadventure, at its heart, is what happens when you set out, confidently, in one direction and life says, ‘No way, hold up, not so fast.’”

If you’re the type to get easily embarrassed, the worst that happens is a bruised ego, but even when things go so sideways there’s lost or damaged equipment, personal injury, and an investment of time and capital that didn’t result in the “money shot” you planned for, it’s these glorious mishaps that teach us the most about ourselves not just as creative professionals but as humans.

This month, while you are welcome to go on a wild new adventure, the Challenge is to submit an image captured during your own (mis)adventures, along with the story behind it. Dave’s book The Art of Misadventure: The Outtakes and Mistakes Of An Adventurous Photographer, believes stories are the threads that, when woven with those of others, connect us to one another. He grew up loving a good adventure story and wants to see the shot you got (or almost got) after taking a wrong turn and ending up someplace unexpected, forgetting your favourite lens and having to make do, or unintentionally using the “wrong” camera settings only to discover you created something incredible, absurd, bizarre, beautiful…

Your submission must include 1) any subject in nature (human, wildlife, nature itself), 2) be a compelling image based on its own merits, whether artistic, funny, or fantastic, and 3) be accompanied by the story (or stories!) of misadventure leading up to the photo.

Challengers, you have until 11:59pm MST May 21, 2023 to submit your entry. Whether you embark on a crazy new adventure, or ultimately end up submitting an image you’ve previously taken, we encourage you to get out and sink your creative teeth into this month’s Challenge!

OBJECTIVES

Technical: (all bets are off…)

Creative: storytelling, nature,

EDI: human connection, common threads, humility

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

NOTES

Please note that if there are humans other than yourself with visible faces in your images you will need to include a Model Release.

April 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief

One for the Wall

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." 

- Elizabeth Stone, teacher and author

“To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” 

- Dr. Seuss, writer and cartoonist

It’s been said that when it comes to children, the hours are long but the years are short. Making up those long hours between sleepless nights, diaper changes, tantrums, rebellion, and sass are an endless series of cherished, fleeting moments that are just that - moments. We often make note of firsts, but seldom (if ever) know the last time we will be able to sleep with our child on our chest, soothe them with just a kiss, carry them on our hip, make their lunch for school and hold their hand to cross the street. Preserving the sweetness of these short years by turning the moments into treasured keepsakes is what draws photographers like April 2023’s Guest Judge Serap Seker to the arena of fine art maternity, newborn, and family photography.

Each phase of childhood - newborn, toddler, tween, and teen - comes with its own unique challenges. On top of infants who aren’t able to take direction on when it’s time to be calm and relaxed and children who don’t always respond to whatever secret ninja methods you’ve discovered for getting their attention, you’re usually dealing with parents who are flustered, overwhelmed, tired, and (on a really tough day) camera shy. Added to that are safety issues associated with posing newborns, which can get even trickier if you’re also trying to wrangle siblings that are anything and everything from aggressively affectionate to active and adventurous to awkward, angsty, or all of the above.

Working in this genre, Serap has learned the importance of knowing her camera like the back of her hand, patience, understanding light, patience, post-processing, patience, and - above all - prioritising safety (which, of course, requires patience.) This led her to becoming a mentor and teacher and eventually founding the Babies and Photographers Association, an international network of like-minded creatives who share their knowledge and passion.

For April’s Match Brief, Serap is inviting you to submit One for the Wall. Your image must 1) feature maternity, posed/lifestyle newborn or children, or fine art family portraiture, 2) demonstrate a high level of skill (lighting, (un)posing, DOF, etc.) and 3) include your favourite newborn safety tip, posing/lifestyle prompt, or ninja mind trick for family portraits.

Challengers, you have until 11:59 MST, April 21, 2023 to submit your entry. All are encouraged to get out and create something new, but you are also welcome to dig through your archives and submit any image that fits the Brief. Please read the Notes section for tips and tricks. Visit www.theshootingrange.ca for FAQs and competition guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

Technical: safety, post-processing/composites, lighting

Creative: posing/unposing, natural expression/emotion

EDI: disseminating knowledge, community over competition

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

IMAGE CROPPING AND ORIENTATION

Images may be cropped and shot in any size and orientation, but those with a 2:3 or 4:5 Landscape orientation will reproduce best in the Calendar.

NOTES, TIPS, AND RESOURCES

Nudes/implied nudes may require editing by Rare Earth Outreach and The Shooting Range (blurring/blocking/cropping) to meet guidelines or restrictions on sharing “adult content” as defined by various social media platforms in their Community Standards.

March 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief 

Intentional Bystander

   "Observe ‘what is’ with undivided awareness.” ~ Bruce Lee

   “Genius is patience.” ~ Mahatma Ghandi

Photojournalists and documentary/lifestyle photographers know that timing and readiness are everything. This month, Guest Judges Erika & Lanny of Two Mann Studios are very pleased to bring you a Challenge that is as much about developing patience as it is about pushing creative boundaries and technical skills. While they are best known as wedding photographers, the both the technical and creative approach they take is universal. 

They have mastered the art of observation, making it possible to illustrate complex, organic stories in a single frame without controlling, influencing, or otherwise interfering with whatever happens to be unfolding in front of their lens.

They intentionally move themselves and not the subjects they photograph.

This type of storytelling demands, above all else, patience, and is true whether taking personal or professional photos, using a phone or FF mirrorless rig, attending a public or private event, home or abroad, spending time with friends, family, or strangers, being out on the street or out in nature, and even when (or perhaps especially when) in the comfort and familiarity of one’s own four walls. 

The image you submit for this month’s Match Brief must contain two or more stories layered in a single image.

This is accomplished by paying close attention to your environment, the characters in that setting, and the goings on in the foreground, midground, and background. 

Watch. 

Wait. 

Wander. 

Wonder.

Then ask yourself... shallow or deep Depth of Field? Backlit, forelit, unlit, or otherwise lit? Wide angle or telephoto, and why? Bold colour, muted tones, or stark black and white? Up high or down low? Should your subject and focus be in the foreground or background? 

And that, say Erika and Lanny, is the fun of being an intentional bystander…

Challengers, you have until 11:59 MST, March 21, 2023 to submit your entry. All are encouraged to get out and create something new, but you are also welcome to submit any image that fits the Match Brief. Please read the Notes section for tips and tricks. Visit www.theshootingrange.ca for FAQs and competition guidelines.

OBJECTIVES

Technical: DOF, composition, lighting, layering stories

Creative: photojournalism, documentary, lifestyle

EDI: organic in lieu of directed narratives, stories that tell themselves

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

IMAGE CROPPING AND ORIENTATION

Images may be cropped and shot in any size and orientation, but those with a 2:3 or 4:5 Landscape orientation will reproduce best in the Calendar.

NOTES, TIPS, AND RESOURCES

Images may require editing by Rare Earth Outreach and The Shooting Range (blurring/blocking/cropping) to meet guidelines or restrictions on sharing “adult content” as defined by various social media platforms in their Community Standards.

TIPS AND RESOURCES

The NUMBER ONE TIP we have every month is to research, experiment, play, and get out of your comfort zone. Not sure where to start? We suggest getting to know the Guest Judges, too~

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following year. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

Entries Open: March 1, 2023 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: March 21, 2023 @ 11:59pm MST

Winner Announced: April 30, 2023

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

February 2023 50/50 Challenge

Match Brief Summary

Love Stories for Every Body

“No one wants to see curvy [people].” ~Karl Lagerfeld

“It can feel like we are drowning in self hatred because of our bodies, but it's not our bodies that are the problem. It’s what and how we have been TAUGHT about bodies that is the issue.” ~Teri Hofford

Guest Judge: Teri Hofford (click to read the full bio over at the blog)

Full Match Brief : Love Stories for Every Body (click the link or keep scrolling down to read the full Match Brief)

Technical Requirements: Your submission must be an image of a body - any body - that’s loved because (and not in spite) of divots, hollows, wrinkles, droops, bulges, dimples, freckles, handles, stains, pigments, scars, unruly hairs, and skinny, missing, or extra parts. And since Every Body is Beautiful, everybody is qualified to participate.

Keywords: portraiture/self-portraiture, self love, every body is beautiful, body positivity, clap back, representation, #perfectlynaturalrevolution

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following year. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

In addition to splitting the cash with the Foundation, Teri is including a copy of Body Image Scripts, an ebook guide for photographers valued at $30.

Entries Open: February 1, 2023 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: February 21, 2023 @ 11:59pm MST

Winner Announced: February 28, 2023

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

February 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief 

Love Stories for Every Body

“No one wants to see curvy [people].” ~Karl Lagerfeld

“It can feel like we are drowning in self hatred because of our bodies, but it's not our bodies that are the problem. It’s what and how we have been TAUGHT about bodies that is the issue.” ~Teri Hofford

MATCH BRIEF

We’ve become so accustomed to the idea that only some bodies are worthy of acceptance, admiration, and representation that we shell out billions of dollars each and every year for products and services to “fix” the way they look. Bombarded with messages that intentionally undermine self-confidence by ensuring every body is judged as either (or both) too much/not enough, it’s only a matter of time before we start questioning if we are loved, let alone lovable.

This month’s Guest Judge thinks that’s a ripe load of BS.

Winnipeg-based photographer, author, and body positivity mentor Teri Hofford is a vocal advocate for changing the way people view, think, and feel about each and every part of their own and others’ bodies. Her message is simple: no body is too curvy/not curvy enough, too pale/not pale enough, too athletic/not athletic enough, too tall/not tall enough, too ethnic/not ethnic enough, too sexy/not sexy enough, it’s time to stop buying what you’re being sold.

For February’s Match Brief, “Tough Love Teri” invites us to not only unlearn what we’ve been taught about bodies, but clap back, by sharing Love Stories for Every Body.

The image you submit for this challenge must include a body that’s loved because (and not in spite) of divots, hollows, wrinkles, droops, bulges, dimples, freckles, handles, stains, pigments, scars, unruly hairs, and skinny, missing, or extra parts. And since Every Body is Beautiful, everybody is qualified to participate.

Shooters, you have until 11:59 MST, February 21, 2023 to submit your entry. We encourage you to get out and create something for this Brief by creating a new portrait of a body you love (your own or someone else’s) but you can submit any image you love, of any body you love, provided you have permission from the subject. Please read the Notes section regarding nudes/implied nudes and visit www.theshootingrange.ca for complete details!

OBJECTIVES

Technical: portraiture, self-portraiture

Creative: celebrating the human body in all its shapes, sizes, states, abilities, and forms

EDI: self-esteem, representation, body positivity, changing dominant social and cultural narratives

SCORING

Images for the Winner and two (2) Runners Up will be selected based on review of both Artist’s Statement and Technical Merit. The top three images will be scored based on Hit Factor (how well the image met the brief) and Power Factor (technical prowess, regardless of the equipment you’re using) and provided with a detailed written or oral (delivered via Zoom or similar platform) Critique from the Guest Judge.

IMAGE CROPPING AND ORIENTATION

Images may be cropped and shot in any size and orientation, but those with a 2:3 or 4:5 Landscape orientation will reproduce best in the Calendar.

NOTES, TIPS, AND RESOURCES

Nudes/implied nudes may require editing by Rare Earth Outreach and The Shooting Range (blurring/blocking/cropping) to meet guidelines or restrictions for sharing “adult content” as defined by various social media platforms in their Community Standards.

Keywords: portraiture/self-portraiture, self love, every body is beautiful, body positivity, clap back, representation, #perfectlynaturalrevolution

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following year. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

In addition to splitting the cash with the Foundation, Teri is including a copy of Body Image Scripts, an ebook guide for photographers valued at $30.

Entries Open: February 1, 2023 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: February 21, 2023 @ 11:59pm MST

Winner Announced: February 28, 2023

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

Guest Judge: Joel Robison (click Joel's name to read his full bio over at the blog)

Full Match Brief : Wonder-full Whimsy-call (click the link or keep scrolling down to read the full Match Brief)

Technical Requirements: your submission must a) be clever and playful (satire, irony, and puns encouraged!) and b) blur the line between reality and fantasy. Those looking for inspiration or technical support should check out Joel's online courses and watch his tutorials on YouTube. Not sure how to answer the call to the wonderful world of whimsy? Begin with this video!

Keywords: whimsical storytelling, digital manipulation, concept photography, creative portraiture/self-portraiture

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following yea. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

Entries Open: January 1, 2023 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: January 21, 2023 @ 11:59pm MST

Winner Announced: January 31, 2023

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

January 2023 50/50 Challenge

Full Match Brief 

Wonder-full Whimsy-call

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. 

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” 

~Dr. Suess

The Shooting Range is thrilled (and a bit giddy) to officially kick off 2023 with a call to make the journey into a world full of whimsy and wonder with Guest Judge Joel Robison!

The ultimate goal this month is simple: create a fun image that invokes smiles and laughter. Whether you choose to approach this as an opportunity to create an epic portrait or selfie, a way of showing off your mad photo manipulation skills, an excuse to play with macro or forced perspective, or a combination of all three, your image should a) be clever and playful (satire, irony, and puns encouraged!) and b) blur the line between reality and fantasy. We suggest you begin your journey by first reflecting on things that make you smile or laugh (watch this video to get a head start!) and going from there!

And, if you need some tech support to make your idea come to life, Joel has several inspirational tutorials on YouTube and offers courses you can sign up for here. Given these resources, remember that there is a technical score to be handed out, so be sure to research not only your Guest Judge but tips on how to make composites work.

Shooters, you have until 11:59 MST January 21, 2023 to submit your entry. We encourage you to push yourself, but whether you end up submitting an image you previously created or something brand new, we hope you make some time to look for and experiment with wonder and whimsy for this month’s Challenge

OBJECTIVES

TECHNICAL (HIT factor): portraiture/self portrait, digital photo manipulation; macro and/or forced perspective; 

CREATIVE (POWER factor): fun, humour, whimsical storytelling, play

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY: personal reflection and expression, introspection, laughter, positive outlook, spreading joy

If you'd like to learn about our Regular Season elimination-style competition challenges, you can check out Season Two here.

December 2022 50/50 Challenge

Match Brief Summary

Life in the Slow Lane

“His knowledge of place was the kind that lives in the body and ripens to understanding only with time. As he walked along the mountain's whispering flanks, the pines became his bones, the summer wind, his breath, and his boots, the grizzly's step. Gradually and finally, over the years, demarcation between man and land faded away.” ~excerpt from, “Talking With Bears: Conversations with Charlie Russell” by G A Bradshaw

Guest Judge: Viktoria Haack (you may click this link for the Full Match Brief)

Full Match Brief: Life in the Slow Lane 

Technical Requirements: your submission must a) feature a human and/or domestic animal as the subject, b) contain a strong central element of nature, the environment, or environmental stewardship, and c) portray human connection and emotion. 

Keywords: portraiture, environmental portraiture; intent, mindfulness, human connection, slow photography, environmental stewardship, scale, nature, conservation.

Entry Fee: $25 per image. 

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar for the following yea. Two Runners Up will also receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

Entries Open: December 1, 2022 @ 9:00am MST

Entries Close: December 21, 2022 @ 11:59pm MST

Visit the Challenge FAQs for more details.

About Our Guest Judge This Month

If you're not familiar with our December 2022 Guest Judge Viktoria Haack's work or you've never explored the images made using a "slow photography" approach, these incredible images created by our Guest Judge will inspire you. 

We encourage Shooters to get to know a bit more about the judge by reading their bio on our blog, visiting their website, reading past interviews, checking out what they are doing on social media, etc. This will help you get familiar with the Brief on a deeper level.

DECEMBER 2022 50/50 FULL MATCH BRIEF

“His knowledge of place was the kind that lives in the body and ripens to understanding only with time. As he walked along the mountain's whispering flanks, the pines became his bones, the summer wind, his breath, and his boots, the grizzly's step. Gradually and finally, over the years, demarcation between man and land faded away.” ~excerpt from, “Talking With Bears: Conversations with Charlie Russell” by G A Bradshaw

Life in the Slow Lane with Viktoria Haack

Prior to the pandemic, people accustomed to (or obsessed with) instant gratification found the idea of slowing down foreign if not terrifying. Unable to carry on with busy-ness, people downshifted, engaging in things they previously didn’t take or make time to enjoy. The internet was briefly flooded with images of plants and gardens, sourdough recipes, playful recreations of famous works of art, and links to socially-distant places to enjoy nature. As the world has re-opened, however, many of us seem to have once again filled our lives with a busy-ness that makes it difficult if not impossible to continue living a “slow” life. 

Photographer Viktoria Haack’s background and interest in anthropology, fine art, and conservationism shapes her relationship with her craft. She loves “slow photography,” an approach that is perhaps best summed up in her own words: “...tread lightly; observe and search out the subtle visual story...” Her incredible environmental portraiture reflects a distinct departure from taking snapshots in favour of creating stunning images that gently but persistently urge the photographer taking time to develop an intentional connection with both her subject and their location.

After a stint running in the rat race that threw her work-life balance off, she now chooses to set the pace for herself by being intentional with the projects she takes on. For the December Match Brief, Viktoria suggests Challengers embrace this opportunity to voluntarily enter life in the slow lane again, and create a mindful portrait, intentionally guided by the patience, empathy, and authentic connection only time and intent will permit.

Whether the image you submit is taken indoors or out, your submission must a) feature a human and/or domestic animal as the subject, b) contain a strong central element of the environment or environmental stewardship, and c) portray human connection and emotion.

Shooters, you have until 11:59 MST December 21, 2022 to submit your entry. Even if you ultimately end up submitting an image you’ve previously taken, we encourage you to spend some time enjoying life in the slow lane for this month’s Challenge!

OBJECTIVES

TECHNICAL AND CREATIVE: portraiture, environmental portraiture; 

EDI: intent, mindfulness, human connection, slow photography, environmental stewardship, scale, nature, conservation.

ENTER NOW

November 2022 50/50 Challenge

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” ~unknown

Here's a bullet point summary of everything you need to know about the November 2022 Challenge:

Guest Judge: Shane Turgeon

Match Brief Topic: Nature and Wildlife Photography for Better Mental Health

Objectives: submit a nature or wildlife photo that you have created that reflect November weather; exploring the health benefits of taking a "Nature Pill" by spending 20 minutes a day connecting with and grounding yourself in nature.

Cost to Enter: $25 per image

Prizes: Winner receives 50% of all entry fees (exclusive of applicable taxes and fees) plus a personalised critique from the Guest Judge, your winning image featured on websites, blogs, and social media platforms, and in the corresponding month of the first ever Rare Earth Outreach fundraising calendar (to be released in January 2024); two Runners Up will receive personalised feedback from the Guest Judge.

Entry open/close: Nov 1, 2022 @ 9am MST to Nov 21, 2022 @ 12am MST but for those impatient types... 

Here are links to:

the expanded Match Brief;

Guest Judge Shane Turgeon's complete and detailed Bio;

Challenge FAQs; and 

a link to the Entry Form.