April photo contest: Go green

Photos submitted from the CBC News community: From left, photo of a peacock submitted by sheepcamp10, photo of ivy submitted by Gary Simmons and photo of a St. Patrick's Day dog submitted by Rich Helms.

Update: This contest is now closed. Winners have been announced. Click here to see our top three and get details on May's photo contest.

On April 22, Canadians will celebrate Earth Day. Whether you are planting a tree, cultivating a garden or going for a walk along a local trail, it's a day to appreciate your community, your country and your Earth. And we want you to show us how you're going green!
 
CBC News Your Voice is calling all budding photographers to grab your cameras and start shooting for our first photo contest.

The theme is green, but the interpretation is up to you.

From fresh-cut grass to the colour of envy, not to mention global conservation and budding politics, green can be inspiration itself.
 
Be bold, get creative and show us what green means to you.

To help you get the perfect shot, we asked CBC News photo editor Timothy Neesam to offer some advice. Tim has worked as a producer and/or director on a wide range of arts and entertainment projects for CBC Radio, CBC Radio 3, and CBC.ca and shares these insightful tips:

1. Understand the "Rule of Thirds"

Painters have been using the Rule of Thirds for centuries, and it works just as well for photographers. Your images will appear balanced AND dynamic if you place your subject at least one-third the distance from one of the edges of your frame. 

2. Focus

A friend of mine took a picture of her bike, but included in the shot were 10 other bikes behind hers. If she'd moved to the left, she'd have excluded the other bikes, and hers would appeared outstanding. Focus isn't just about sharp or fuzzy pictures; decide what it is you're really taking a photo of, and you'll make sure the person looking at your picture will too.

3. Think with your feet

Look at what's in the frame and ask yourself, if I move to the left or right, will my picture improve?  How about moving back or forth? What happens if I shoot the same scene from above or below the subject? Take full advantage of the amount of space you've got to work with.  Filling the frame helps your audience appreciate your image.

4. Remember, it's all about the light

Photographers are always talking about light, whether it's the golden hour around sunrise and sunset, the light that provides depth by creating shadows, or that annoying light that makes people in your shot squint like crazy. Think about where your light is coming from and use it to your advantage.  Putting light to the left or right of your subject, for example, can do wonders for your picture.

5. Be in the moment

Whether you're shooting landscapes, sports or someone you've met, photography allows you to capture the spirit of a moment that's important to you. Take your time when you're making your photograph. Decide what it is you're really shooting, and compose your image carefully. Make it a moment that lasts.
 
As always, any photo you submit to us may be published as our "Photo of the Day."
 
We'll feature the five best green photos we receive on April 23 and give you a chance to vote on your favourites. The winner will be announced on April 30, so be sure to check back!
 
The top three as chosen by you will win some great prizes from the CBC Shop. Check out the nature-themed swag below.
 
First place:
Visions of the Future DVD

Second place:
Nature of Things White Biodegradable Commuter's Mug

Third place:
2010 Nature in Focus Calendar

Happy snapping!
 
Send us your images. Upload them here or to our CBC Your Voice Flickr Pool tagged with word "greencontest."
 
CBC CONTEST REGULATIONS
CBC Green Photo Contest

Photos accepted from April 9 2010 at 5PM ET to April 22 2010 at midnight ET
Voting open from April 26 at noon ET to April 29 at 5 p.m. ET

1. ENTRY PROCEDURE
To enter the contest the CBC Green Photo Contest, you must submit your photos to yournews@cbc.ca, the CBC Your Voice website, www.cbc.ca/news/yourvoice/photogalleries/ or the CBC Your Voice Flickr pool, http://www.flickr.com/groups/1005111@N25/.

To be valid, all entries must include your first name, last name, age, and phone number - to be received by noon on April 22, 2010 (ET). Photos can only be submitted online.

No purchase required.

2. CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
Contestants must reside within Canada. Employees of the CBC, and their immediate family or persons living under the same roof are not eligible to enter this contest.

Entries become the property of the CBC and by entering the Green Photo Contest you grant CBC all rights to use your image(s) in all forms, media and manners, without restriction as to changes or alterations, for advertising, trade, promotion, exhibition, or any other lawful purposes. You also confirm that all those in the images grant CBC all rights to use your image(s) in all forms, media and manners, without restriction as to changes or alterations, for advertising, trade, promotion, exhibition, or any other lawful purposes.

You also agree to waive any right to inspect or approve the photographs or electronic matter that may be used in conjunction with them now or in the future, whether that use is known or unknown, and you waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of the photographs.

3. PROCEDURE FOR AWARDING PRIZES
On April 23, 2010 the CBC Your Voice team will pick five photos from all entries received.
On April 26, these 5 photos will be published on www.cbc.ca/yourvoice and attached to a poll.

The winner will be notified by email and, upon replying and confirming to all stated rules, will be announced on the cbc.ca/yourvoice website. Prize must be accepted as a package with no substitutions or cash value. A new winner may be drawn should the original winner not fulfill these rules and regulations.

4. DESCRIPTION OF PRIZES
Winners shall receive:

First place:
Visions of the Future DVD

Second place:
Nature of Things White Biodegradable Commuter's Mug

Third place:
2010 Nature in Focus Calendar

Prize must be accepted as is with no substitutions (including cash substitutions) or alterations.
Total value is $70.00

5. GENERAL RULES
5.1 To be declared a winner, the contestant shall first correctly answer a mathematical skill-testing question.
5.2 Prize-winners and anyone accompanying them in the winning picture shall agree, if necessary, to have their name and picture,  used for advertising purposes connected with this contest, free of charge.
If the prize-winner and/or accompanying person is a minor: The parents or guardians of the prize-winner, and the parents or guardians of the accompanying person, shall agree, if necessary, to have their name and/or picture, more
particularly their photograph used for advertising purposes connected with this contest, free of charge.
5.3 The winner shall sign a document attesting to his/her eligibility as stipulated in point 2 of these regulations and releasing the CBC, and their affiliates from all liability for any damage or loss resulting from participation in this contest or arising from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize.
If the prize-winner is a minor: The parents or guardians of the winner shall sign a document attesting to the winner's eligibility as stipulated in point 2 of these regulations and releasing the CBC from
all liability for any damage or loss resulting from participation in this contest or arising from the awarding, acceptance or use of the prize.
5.4 The prize shall be accepted as is and may not be exchanged for an amount of money, nor sold nor transferred. No substitutions will be allowed.
5.5 If it is impossible to supply the prize as described in these regulations, the CBC, and their affiliates reserve the right to substitute for the prize in whole or in part one or more prizes of an approximately equivalent value.
5.6 Refusal to accept the prize releases the CBC, and their affiliates of all obligation.
5.7 The CBC, and their affiliates shall assume no liability resulting from losses, delays, typographical errors, poor technical or phone operations, loss or stealing of data-processing, breach of software or computer equipment; losses of mail, e-mail, fraudulent calls or any other mistake.
5.8 The CBC, and their affiliates shall assume no liability of any kind whatsoever in any cases in which their inability to act results from an event or situation beyond their control, including more particularly a strike, lock-out or any other labour dispute in their place of business or the places of business of the organizations or businesses whose services are used to hold this contest.
5.9 Your name, address, telephone number are gathered for the purpose of administering this contest.
5.10 Participation in this contest includes acceptance of these regulations, which shall be applied by the CBC. All its decisions are final.
5.11 The regulations of this contest are available at cbc.ca/yourvoice
5.12 This contest is subject to all federal, provincial and municipal legislation applicable.

All prizing courtesy of: