2025 Photo-Competition Awards Gala

 

The Awards Gala for 2025 Photo-Competition took place on 19 April in the auditorium of Faculty St. Jean in Edmonton, thanks to the kind invitation by Witek Kurpiński. The Gala attracted about 40 people interested in mountain film and photography. Yours truly had the honor of running the first part of the Gala (awards), with the assistance of Witek Kurpinski (scene engineer, lights) and Yanek Wójcik (slide show, music). 

2024 Photo-Competition - Awards Gala

 

The Awards Gala for 2024 Photo-Competition took place on 2 February in the auditorium of Faculty St. Jean in Edmonton, thanks to the kind invitation by Witek Kurpiński. In spite of the very cold weather (-25C), the Gala attracted about 40 people interested in mountain film and photography. 

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (11)

 Category R - "Reels" - Andy Rutkowski Award

1st Place - "Om Namah Shivaya butterflies" - by Piotr Rajski

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (10)

 Category N - "Full Movie Feature" - Boris Bokov Award

1st Place - "Hiking Tent Ridge Horseshoe Trail" - by Andy Rutkowski (25:14)

A comment: "I liked this movie more than those from the exotic places as it seems to show the beauty of OUR mountains, the beauty of OUR club members, and it also mentions "OUR President" toward the end. Yeah, I missed this hike because of the unfortunate circumstances. (Piotr)

Congratulations to Andy!

(PR)

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (9)

 Category L - "Video with a Twist" - Beata and Andrzej Jędrych Award

1st Place - "The Raven of the Delicate Arch" - by Piotr Rajski

(PR)

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (8)

 Category I - "The Monuments of Nature" - Barbara Walter Award

1st Place - "Two Thousand Years Old Twins" - by Basia Krzymień

A comment: "A gigantic picture of the truly gigantic "monuments of nature." It is hard to photograph these giants as they don't want to squeeze into the camera's lenses, so the author did a really good job showing the enormity, timelessness and true grandeur of these trees." 

(PR)

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (7)

 Category H - "(Sexy) Man in the Mountains" - Bo Maciaszczyk Award

1st Place - "Saint Dragan" - featuring Dragan Radovic

The photo was taken on Tent Horseshoe Ridge near Canmore, Alberta, Canada, by Maya Wojnarowska. 

(PR)

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (6)

 Category G - "(Pretty) Woman in the Mountains" - Bogdan Kulik Award

1st Place (ex equo) - "Pretty on the top" - featuring Gosia Stróżyk

1st Place (ex equo) - "Patagonian mermaid" - featuring Holly Kostecki 

A comment about "Pretty on the top" - "A nice dynamic picture capturing boldness, adventure spirit and the beautiful smile of the model in a non-standard way." The photo was taken by Andy Rutkowski on Tent Horseshoe Ridge near Canmore, Canada. 

A comment about "Patagonian mermaid" - "This picture has it all. Beautiful background (we should add not easy to reach, requiring strength and toughness) and a model confident in her womanhood, with a charming smile. And she also fares well in wet t-shirt contests! A winning combination for me. 🙂" The photo was taken at the Base of the Torres, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. 

Great thanks to Bogdan Kulik for awarding two first prizes! 

Congratualtions to Gosia and Holly! 

(PR) 

The Best of 2024 Photo.Competition (5)

 F – „Górski selfik” – Ela Tomczyk Award – “Mountain Selfie”

1st Place - "Selfie on Dunajec River" (Pieniny, Poland) - by Bożenna Pomorska

No comments so far. Would you like to be the first to comment? I assume this must have been the emotional reaction to the rapids that drew attention of the voters. Have you ever done rafting on Dunajec River? No? You definitely should. I have not done it myself, and now ... I regret!

Congrats to Bożenna! 

(PR)

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (4)

Category E – „Górskie archiwalia” – Yanek Wójcik Award – “Mountain archives”

1st Place - "Mount Wilcox 25 years ago" - by Andy Rutkowski

One of the comments: "I like the dynamism of the model, impressive fore- and backgrounds, and what appears to be light snow ... in the summer! In other words, this photo captures a ... great unity of time and space!"

Congrats Andy! 

(PR)

The Best of 2024 Photo-Contest (3)

 Category C - "Humor górski" - Michał Trzecieski Award - "Mountain humor"

1st Place - "I haven't had a man for a while" by Jacek Maciaszczyk

Some comments about the photo:

First of all, it impresses me that some of the ladies of our Club can not only jump but jump high! This must have something to do with their ferocious sexual appetites (or so I speculate). But of course, when seeing the truly masculine specimen of Dragan, it is only natural that the ladies jump ... high! (Piotr) 

This photo captures a joyful moment in the mountains on a bright, sunny day. A woman in mid-air, jumping up on a patch of snow, her arms stretched high, casting excitement and energy. The snow contrasts with the cloud-covered blue sky and the peaks are peeking in a distance. Strong male partner stands poised, ready to “rescue” her, with a playful grin on his face. This dynamic and vibrant photo highlights their adventurous spirit and the cheerfulness of their friendship, all against the magical mountain scenery. (Yanek)

Congratulations to all involved. 

The Best of 2024 Photo-Competition (2)

 

Category B – „Górskie krajobrazy” – Bożenna Pomorski Award – “Mountain landscapes”

1st place - Jacek Maciaszczyk - "Los Cuernos" (Patagonia, Chile)

A comment: "Amazing shapes of Los Cuernos (Fingers) in Torres del Paine Park, Chilean Patagonia, combined with the dry tree in the foreground, and all the greens. One could only wish that the weather was not as gloomy as at the moment when this photo was taken."

Congratulations for Jacek!

2023 Photo-Competition - Awards Ceremony

 

"Hiking above the clouds" - by Mike Trzecieski

The Awards Ceremony for our 11th Photo-Competition was the best ever. It was attended by about 40 people, both current and aspiring Club members. Great thanks to Polish Heritage Society of Edmonton for arranging the venue and to Polish Cultural Society for sponsoring wine and snacks. As usual, great thanks to Yanek Wojcik for preparing the slides and films presentation. 

The picture above won the Grand Prix and the title of "Best picture of 2023 Mountain Season." It was taken by Mike Trzecieski during his climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak of Africa, last year. This is how I justified this award:

The Best of 2023 Photo-Contest (12)

Grand Prix Prezesa - The Best Picture of 2023 - Najlepsze Zdjęcie Roku

Michał Trzecieski - "Hiking above the clouds"

Rationale:

I could say my heart was “swayed” by this photo that seems to have this particular message I am looking for. Though small, we humans, just through the sheer power of our legs, can “get above the clouds.” Drawn by the beauty of the mountains, we reach great heights, which is a testimony to our fighting spirit, tenacity, sense of adventure and the power to transcend the limitations of our material life. I see it all in this very allegoric picture and that is why I give it first place. (Piotr)  

A few comments: 

Magnificent view from above the clouds including Mawenzi peak, 5149 m. Emotional thriller! (Basia W) 

How fantastic is to be over the cloud. (Ania M.) 

Pokazuje ludzi, którzy  osiągnęli  tajemnicze miejsce (wygląda jak  wulkaniczna góra) i już wyżej  nic nie ma  do osiągnięcia i chmury nawet  się  im kłaniają. (Janusz)

Congratulations, Michał! You deserve it!

(PR)

The Best of 2023 Photo-Contest (11)

 Category R - "Górskie reels" - Andy Rutkowski Award - "Mountain reels"

1st Place - "Banff in November" - by ... Andy Rutkowski

Congratulations!

(PR)

The Best of 2023 Photo-Contest (10)

Category N - "Film Pełnometrażowy" - Boris Bokov Award - "Full Movie Feature"

1st Place - "Fearless Seniors on Fox Via Ferrata" - by Andy Rutkowski

Impressive footage from a drone! Congrats, Seniors, and congrats Andy! Super job! 

(PR)

The best of 2023 Photo-Contest (9)

Category L - "Video z przekrętem" - Beata i Andrzej Jędrych Award - "Video with a twist"

1st Place - "O Maryjanno!" - by Andy Rutkowski

Congratulations, Andy!

(PR)

The Best of 2023 Photo-Contest (8)

 Category I - "Pomniki przyrody" - Barbara Walter Award - "Monuments of nature"

1st Place - "I worked hard for my master last night" - by Barbara Walter

Congratulations!

(PR)

The Best of 2023 Photo-Contest (7)

Category H - "(Sexy) Mężczyzna w górach" - Bożena Maciaszczyk Award - "(Sexy) Man in the mountains"

1st Place - Mike Alexander Trzecieski - "The lion of Kilimanjaro"

 Congratulations, Mike – it is not easy to stay sexy above 5000 meters!

(PR)

The Best of 2023 Photo-Contest (6)

Category H - "(Piękna) Kobieta w górach" - Marek Kucmierz Award - "(Pretty) Woman in the mountains"

1st Place - Ania Kulig - "A Wild Flower"

Congratulations, Ania!

(PR)