1st
All an illusion
For this assignment, students were asked to create an art piece using sidewalk chalk. At least one member of the team had to interact with the creation. I then used the school’s drone to take the photo with a top-down view at about 20 feet.
Photographer: Mark Knoch, Eastglen High School, Edmonton
Date of photo: May 2026
Judges’ comments: This is a technically outstanding photo, with a delightful optical illusion that required skill, time and effort to capture! The bright colours of the chalk contrast nicely with the neutral pavement, and the subject’s relaxed pose and smile bring warmth and personality to the scene.
2nd
Ski on!
This photo was from a cross-country skiing field trip for Outdoor Education with an eager group of Grade 9s.
Photographer: Tyler Dixon, West Ridge School, Calgary
Date of photo: March 2026
Judges’ comments: A striking photo with engaging composition and perspective, and good use of colour. The crisp detail, balanced lighting and dramatic mountain backdrop show the photographer’s keen eye for capturing depth and scale.
3rd
Nature walk
Our Grade 1 and 2 students ventured on a fall walk that involved making patterns from things found in nature, as well as a scavenger hunt of signs of fall. In this photo, you see a Grade 2 student demonstrating his ABAB pattern.
Photographer: Irene Blackburn, École Notre Dame, Leduc
Date of photo: September 2025
Judges’ comments: This is a well-composed photo—the low angle and framing connect the child’s expression with the details in the foreground, creating a strong sense of story. The natural lighting and the bright pop of colour against the softer background highlight the photographer’s skill in capturing this moment of learning.
Honourable mentions
The 2026 Gotcha! Photo Contest drew dozens of submissions from Alberta teachers. Here are the judges’ top three picks, along with some honourable mentions.
Prizes are awarded as follows:
1st place: $200
2nd place: $100
3rd place: $50
The contest judges were:
- Alexa Guse, ATA graphic designer
- Lindsay Yakimyshyn, ATA News managing editor
- Kristine Wilkinson, ATA News editor-in-chief
