Calgary Herald
Author of the article: Jason Herring
Publishing date: April 22, 2021
Photo by: Brendan Miller/Post Media
Cochrane photographer takes home medal in international competition
A Cochrane photographer who captured downtown Calgary during last spring’s COVID-19 lockdown made it to the podium in the “Olympics of photography.”
Jacquie Matechuk’s shot landed her a bronze medal in the 2021 World Photographic Cup last weekend, where she was competing for Team Canada on the international stage.
The photo, shot in April 2020, depicts Calgary’s Telus Sky building in stark black-and-white, bearing down upon the subject. It was meant to capture the uncharacteristic quiet that took over the city’s core when the pandemic first arrived in Canada, and it earned Matechuk a third-place finish in the ‘Commercial’ category of the competition.
“The individual recognition was certainly nice, but it took all of us to get us up there on this global stage,” Matechuk said.
The World Photographic Cup is a team event, where countries submit photos in six different categories and gain points based on their placement.
This year marked the first time Canada has landed on the overall podium, finishing third overall, behind Australia and Brazil. Four photographers were named top-10 finalists, with medals going to both Matechuk and Quebec lensman Louis-Philippe Provost. Dr. Ammara Sadiq, a family physician from Spruce Grove, Alberta, was also among Canada’s finalists for her portrait of a ballerina.
“It was exciting and unexpected. The team worked really hard, and that’s our goal, to have Canadian photographers represented on the world stage. We have some of the best talent in the world,” said Jillian Chateauneuf, a Team Canada co-captain. “Having Canada reach the podium is a great way for the world to hear about our country and realize the talent that’s out there.”
The World Photography Cup team is run by and comprised of volunteers, Chateauneuf said. She encouraged Canadian photographers to submit their work for entry in next year’s competition at the team’s website.
Matechuk said the team atmosphere of the competition was bolstered by the virtual nature of this year’s ceremony. Many more people were able to take part in the celebrations than if competitors had travelled to Italy, as was originally planned before it became clear the pandemic would inhibit limit international travel.
“We had so many people to cheer and celebrate and laugh and joke with. It was such a neat experience, as good as it could have been,” she said.
jherring@postmedia.com
Twitter: @jasonfherring
“We had so many people to cheer and celebrate and laugh and joke with. It was such a neat experience, as good as it could have been”
2021 Bronze Medal – Commercial
The photo, shot in April 2020, depicts Calgary’s Telus Sky building in stark black-and-white, bearing down upon the subject. It was meant to capture the uncharacteristic quiet that took over the city’s core when the pandemic first arrived in Canada, and it earned Matechuk a third-place finish in the ‘Commercial’ category of the competition.
