Air Force life captured in pictures through DND Photo contest

By Holly Bridges

Photographer of the Year - Professional First Place "A Day at the Air Show" Lisa A. Scale, Bolton, Ontario

The winners of the 2006 Department of National Defence photo contest have been announced and life in the Air Force features prominently among the prizewinning photographs.

Whether it’s a day with the family at the air show to watch the famous Canadian Forces Snowbirds, or a the laying of a wreath at the Battle of Britain parade in Ottawa, photographers from across Canada have captured some unique moments in Air Force life.

All Imagery Technicians in the Canadian Forces are Air Force personnel, although not all technicians are posted to Air Force units.  Their job is to provide imagery of air, land and sea personnel in support of military operations, public affairs and engineering activities, and document the important events in the life and times of the Canadian Forces.

The DND Photography Contest began in 1968 and was originally part of an arts and crafts competition sponsored by Physical Education and Recreation personnel.

Today, the contest is organized by the Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre and the CF Personnel Support Agency, under the auspices of the Deputy Minister of National Defence. The contest is an artistic endeavour considered to be a recreational activity in which all members of DND, including families, may participate.

The purpose of the contest is to encourage the creation of imagery which depicts the many aspects of life in the military; and to recognize those members of the military community who have attained a level of excellence in the art of photography.

The reward to participants and winners is recognition among their peers. Additionally, outstanding accomplishments are recognized by the awarding of prizes generously donated by a number of Canadian companies.

For more on this year’s winners, bookmark this site as the winning photographs will be soon be posted online. http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/gallery/2006/index_e.asp

Here are some of the top prizewinning photos that were taken either by Air Force imagery technicians or of Air Force operations.

Bravo to all this year’s winners!

Photographer of the Year Amateur - Military Life Second Place "Servir" Jean-Claude Duguay, 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec

Professional Category Military Life (sub-category) Second Place "Sauvé !!!" MCpl France Huard, 3 Wing Bagotville (Air Force Imagery Technician)

Honourable Mention "Blue Air Force Sound" Cpl Eduardo Mora Pineda

Honourable Mention "Heritage Flight" Cpl Jean-François Lauzé, 4 Wing Cold Lake

Portrait (sub-category) Honourable Mention "I Will Not Forget" MCpl Jill Cooper, Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa)

Special Effects (sub-category) Honourable Mention "Out with the old, In with the new" Pte Amy Martin

Open (sub-category) Second Place "Do You See What I See?" Sgt Yvan Delisle