Bearing down: Grizzly image captures top Amateur Photographer of the Year prize

After all the photos were taken and the votes were cast, the West Coast Traveller is thrilled to announce the winners of the sixth annual Amateur Photographer of the Year Contest.

Entries ranged from absorbing wildlife images and vibrant city centres to intimate, in-the-moment family photos and expansive landscapes, and among the thousands of stunning images received, judges were hard-pressed to select the best of the best – and we thank you, the photographers, for making the decisions so challenging!

Taking top spot for 2024 was a stunning photo from James Ferguson, “Bearing Down!” capturing a grizzly hard at work for its lunch, much to the dismay of the spawning salmon.

Photographed along the Toba Inlet, on the B.C. coast, Judges were taken by the vivid drama playing out in that moment, from the bear’s fierce focus to the splash from the quick-moving fish – drama underscored by the fact that the salmon appears to be staring straight at the photographer.

As the grand prize winner, Ferguson receives round-trip airfare for two to Whitehorse from Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Edmonton or Calgary aboard Air North, Yukon’s Airline, plus a two-night stay in a deluxe room for two at Yukon Northern Vision Hotel, and a two-night Aurora viewing with Northern Tales. Valued at $2,686, the trip will likely inspire many more remarkable photos!

First place in the 2024 Amateur Photographer of the Year contest went to Ashlei Pence for her misty view of the Oregon coastline, “Views from Route 101.” Judges appreciated Pence’s different take on an oft-photographed landscape: the vibrant flowers in the foreground popping against the sandy shore and grasses, and the play of textures – grass, sand, mist and rock – combining for unique visual interest.

For her first-place photo, Pence receives a prize package valued at $1,300: Pursuit Pass Rockies for two, which includes admission to the Banff Gondola, Lake Minnewanka Cruise, Columbia Icefield, Skywalk, Maligne Lake Cruise, Golden Skybridge and Open Top Tour, plus $600 towards a family superior two-bed cabin stay at Baker Creek By Basecamp in Lake Louise, Alberta.

From the Wildlife and Nature category, perfect lighting and symmetry of two Saanich, B.C., barn swallows captured second place for photographer Brian Tuck. Tuck wins two nights at Kumsheen Rafting Resort for two adults, including cabin accommodation, a full-day Legendary Thompson Paddle or Power Rafting Trip, and three meals – a package valued at $1,000.

Third place goes to “California Street Cable Car,” photographed by Charles Marty in San Francisco for the West Coast Travel category, winning $1,000 toward a luxury yacht rental from All of Me Yacht Charters.

Of course, the West Coast Traveller judges weren’t the only ones weighing in on our favourite images: The People’s Choice winner goes to Ethan Marquardt for his striking photo of a CP train travelling through the mountains near Banff, Alberta. Marquardt wins a $200 Save-On-Foods gift card.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their entries into this year’s Amateur Photographer of the Year contest, to all who voted and to our sponsors, who help make it all possible.

Watch for news about the seventh annual competition later in the new year!

READ MORE: And the winners are: See the 2023 Amateur Photographer contest’s top images

READ MORE: And the winner is: Emerald Lake photo brings Amateur Photographer of the Year award

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