A year ago, Wildsight launched Look Outside, an interactive photo contest with the tagline Click. Share. Connect, to celebrate our local landscape and wildlife.

A total of 112 Kootenay-Columbia photographers submitted many hundreds of diverse and compelling images, with monthly prizes awarded and photos shared with a broad audience through social media.

Now everyone’s invited to celebrate the winners and find out what’s next, today – June 28 -in Invermere.

“We live in an extraordinary place, made all the more special because these photos were shared with people who might not have an opportunity to see for themselves the wild beauty of the Purcells. It’s time to showcase the stellar camera work of all this talent,” said Juri Peepre, one of the project organizers.

At the celebration, from 5-7 p.m. on June 28 at Invermere’s Pynelogs Cultural Centre, the grand prize of $1,000 cash will be awarded to Howard Smith of Creston for his richly detailed Milky Way landscape, framed by the sub alpine trees above his hometown (lead image).

“I think a photograph that sings can stir our spirit, offering a glimpse of the rich experiences to be found in the backcountry. These experiences are not attainable in the manufactured world, they are only reached through spending time in the wild, soaking in the peace, awe and freedom,” says Smith.

Four other cash prizes of $250 each went to Marlene Chabot of Invermere (Landscape), Lyle Grisedale of Kimberley (Wonder), Jessica Platz of Kimberley (People in Nature) and Tom Weager of Kimberley/Nelson (Wildlife). Grisedale also took the social media prize of two weekend passes offered by the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival.

The Look Outside celebration offers a great chance to meet some of the photographers, see their photos on a HD screen, catch up with friends and hatch ideas for summer outings. The three judges — Will Gadd, a high profile Red Bull athlete and film maker from Canmore, eclectic artist Lynn Grillmair from Brisco, and Brad Hill, award-winning nature photographer from Canal Flats, will attend. Light appetizers and a cash bar featuring local brews will be available. Everyone is welcome.

A huge thank you to our supporting sponsors goes to Kicking Horse Coffee, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, The Alpine Club of Canada, The Camera Store, Bavin Glassworks, Kootenay River Runners, Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and Wildsight for helping to make this project possible.

If you can’t make it to the party, check out the photo gallery on the Look Outside website www.wildlookoutside.com, and social media links on Instagram and Facebook.

Wildsight

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