Ken Tizzard: LIA Photo Contest
The title track, “Lost In Awe” deals with the way that people, places and things come into our lives and draw us into another place and change our perspective. It can be as simple as a new friend, lover, place or hobby that steals our time and changes the course of things permanently. This is not a professional photo contest. With the new age of digital photography everybody has a camera and it is amazing what moments we can capture. If you have any photos of such things from your life e-mail photos to: Mail Photos Here Don’t forget to include your name and a brief message about the photo. All photos will be featured periodically on my web page throughout the next few months. This is not a professional photo contest. Just a bit of fun to share experiences. Three photos will be chosen in April and the lucky photographers will all receive copies of my new CD “Lost In Awe.” Please keep sizes of photos to a manageable size. (700-900k max.) 
Storm brewing over southern Alberta foothills.
It was taken last spring around High River AB. We were on tour and on our way to Calgary for a show.
Caroline Mimnaugh
I was just looking through some photos that I have had on the computer for awhile when I came across these two. Some scenery while heading home on a road trip. Photos were taken somewhere in the Drumheller area of Alberta. -Tracy Baggett 
Foxtrap Marina...."Frozen Desertion"
Joyce Skanes CBS, NL
The attached pictures were recently taken in Foxtrap, CBS, during the aftermath of some freezing rain & drizzle.
"Crystal Beauty",
Joyce Skanes CBS, NL
"Natures Gems".
Joyce Skanes CBS, NL
Just wanted to share this picture I took at a friends cabin during Labor Day 2005. I call it "Echoes of Laughter". The picture shows an overgrown play area with a sandbox, swings, and a wooden "guardian" chair. My friend recalled many fond memories of spending her summers at the cabin as a child, and with her own, now grown children, and in particular, the many hours spent swinging and playing in the sandbox. In the silence of the moment, one could almost hear the squeals of laughter of the past.
Joyce Skanes CBS, NL
Mike Nitsch Mike Nitsch 
For my money, there's no easier place to be awestruck by Nature's magnificence than the American southwest. I've travelled thousands of miles on the backroads of southern California, and Death Valley is hands down one of the most spectacular natural environments in the state. In 1997, I got up in the middle of a mild February night to see comet Hale-Bopp as it was just making an appearance in our skies. It would be a few months before it became the glorious spectacle that filled our nights, but the deep desert skies of Death Valley let me see the comet that was not yet visible back home in Toronto.
As I stood by my car at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley in the pitch black, I became aware of some slight movements around me. It was then that I noticed a pack of coyotes had circled my car and were inching their way ever closer. I grudgingly beat a hasty retreat back to my hotel room at Furnace Creek for a couple hours sleep. I returned to Zabriskie Point at sunrise to witness the spectacle of dawn's first light as it revealed the astounding colours and layered patterns that the Point and indeed the entire park is famous for. - B.Schuette
I had envisioned this kind of shot for a few years before I actually got it: bison in a snow storm. I only know of one farm in the area that has bison, and it’s in Orillia. Every time there was a storm significant enough for the shot I had in mind, it was impossible to travel the distance. As things happen sometimes, I was in Orillia at my son’s curling game and a storm whipped up. As I looked out the window of the arena, immediately I thought of getting the pictures I had wanted so badly. I made my way to the farm, asked for permission and found a good place for the shots. Problem was, I wasn’t dressed for the occasion: regular shoes and just a jacket. The temperature had dropped to about -20 with an awesome wind (you can tell by how the wind is swirling around the bison, even that short, stiff hair is bent in different directions). But you know how it is, you get into a grove and the focus of your attention is all that matters. Oh, and the new snow on top what was already in the field reached to my knees. So, walking around, I found this old fella. What so impressed me was how he just stood there and took all in stride, the snow, the cold and wind. Ever so slowly he moved his head to the side so he could check me out but otherwise the embodiment of stoicism. Not stupid, that eye-ball had something going on, not like a cow at all. What a magnificent creature! 
A great day in the northern BC backcountry with some good folks.... 
The deserts of southern California are larger than life and you can almost get overwhelmed by all the spectacular sights you'll find at every turn in a trail or road. When driving the desert highways and backroads, I feel that I've come home, even though it's such a foreign landscape compared to the lush greenness of Ontario. This vista shows the Devil's Golfcourse salt flat and Badwater, known for having the lowest elevation in North America. The photo was taken from the frigid, windswept summit of Dante's Peak, towering over a mile above the valley floor.
Saying it can get warm in Death Valley is a colossal understatement. Birds have been seen to fall dead out of the sky from the searing heat. Temperatures as high as 57 C in the shade have been recorded at Furnace Creek, an "oasis" in the valley. Ground temperatures can reach 95 C. It may get even hotter at the Badwater salt flat, one hundred feet farther below sea level and a hundred feet closer to hell, but nobody has been crazy enough to actually put that to the test. Officially it gets no hotter in the Western Hemisphere, and it's only been recorded at two degrees hotter anywhere else in the world. It can be difficult to get good data. In 1891 the weather bureau sent an observer to record temperatures during the summer months. After 153 days, he quit his job in disgust stating that he "would rather go straight to hell" before ever again returning to Death Valley. - B.Schuette
A typical fantastic rock formation in Joshua Tree National Park in California's Mohave desert. I was impressed by how deep the blue was in California's skies the first time I saw them, a result of their southerly latitude. I emphasized the effect slightly - only slightly - with a polarizing filter on my lens. When you look directly up, the sky turns a deep indigo even at mid day. B.Schuette 
Joshua Tree National Park, located in California's Mohave desert is a wonderland of fantastic rock formations and the striking Joshua trees that give the park its name. This was my first introduction to the deserts of America back in the 1980s and created a lifelong love of that landscape.
These exotic plants are not actually trees and when they die, they just sag to the ground like wilted flowers. When walking through this area, you have to be careful to not get stuck by the flowers on the trees, or bitten by one of the many animals patrolling their turf around the flowers and roots, namely tarantulas and black widow spiders, rattlesnakes, and fierce wasps the size of bumblebees. - B.Schuette
The Art Gallery of Ontario ran a show on JMW Turner and the Sublime about 30 years ago that I really enjoyed. It illustrated how spectacular and often dangerous scenes from nature could inspire a sense of being overwhelmed by the elemental forces of nature, along with a deep spiritual connection to the place. It's hard to find a more sublime and majestic landscape than the Grand Canyon. - B. Schuette 
From the first time I saw the deserts of the American southwest, I've considered them a kindred spirit, my geological soul mate if there could be such a thing. This is Red Rock, Nevada, a short drive outside of Las Vegas. It's tough to find anything cute and cuddly in such harsh environments where even the wildlife conspires to either prick you, stab you, or bite you. Two interesting side trips are just an hour's drive away from Red Rock - Death Valley to the west and Area 51 to the north. Each destination has its charms. - B.Schuette 
My favourite part of flying is having my nose to the window from take off to touch down. I've never seen an in flight movie on any flight I've ever taken because the show outside is infinitely more interesting. On the route from Toronto to L.A., one of the countless inspiring sights to be seen from six miles high is Canyonlands, Utah. - B.Schuette 
a shot I snapped just outside the Namm show this year.. All the best man... Brent Moss 
I have been blessed to visit many parts of Europe and few experiences fill me awe more than being on the edge of the magnificent waterfall, Dettifoss in the north part of Iceland. The photo was taken of my husband, Jens at this amazing part of our world in 2006. Yes, the water is always grey due to the sediment in the river. All the best with your project.
Linda Lee Henriksen
Old meets young. - L.Scott 
Del Vezeau 
These are my "Joys in Life". It's the simple things we need to enjoy and capture because the experiences only happen one time. My little girl, Ravyn Erin, is four years old and I already look back and wish for the time again. Renee Rideout 
I was looking through some of my photos and came up with a good one to share. Its pretty simple actually. Being such a big music fan all my life I really turned back to vinyl LP's in the past few years and I am enjoying listening to most of my favorite albums on LP's apposed to CD's or digital MP3's and such. I find myself listening and paying closer attention to the detail in the music more because of vinyl and I am really appreciating the older technology and I'm doing my best to keep it alive.
I took this photo, rightly named "Stairway To Heaven" in the summer of 2006 in my old place back in Red Deer, AB. It was the first time in my life I listened to Led Zeppelin IV on vinyl and it had a big impact on me as a music listener. I realized the power of that classic album in its original format. With my camera in hand, I just had to capture the moment to remember it forever! - David
Del Vezeau 
Hope all is well...here is a photo taken last summer in august when my husband Jason was sanding in a wedding...we were talking to another wedding guest when she said 'the sun is setting between your faces'...so she snapped a picture for us...it turned out to be very cool..it captured the natural magic that J and I have. - Dana 
Hope you like this one of my daughter Miranda. I call it "Breaking the Rules" because she wasn't supposed to sit on the sculpture! - Randy 
L.Scott 
L.Scott 
L.Scott 
Here's a snap taken today by my wife,Jan Wybourn, of yrs truly and Laddie tha Dog heading west out of Campbellford, skijoring.
I've had dogs before, but this one, a foundling who ambled into town in late 2001, is very special, "awesome" even!
Graham Wilson
Here is my 5yr old son doing his wiring on his guitar that he built. I did help with screws and whatnot but the whole thing was painted, designed by him. He figures that this is his calling.
Matthew Macfie
My Dad would probably kill me if he knew I was sending this for people to see but it was the first photo that came to my mind....definitely shows a life... lived vs. a life just beginning! 
hey man. this is a really cool photo contest you got going on, and i thought you might like to see the photo of i took in pei on labour day weekend 2007. it was in the garden of a artsy hipi cat photographer who uses a lot of photoshop and photoshops in cows and wwii b-52 bomber flottia photos. and cars. and shoppers. i don't know what inspires him but there art certainly a lot cows and cow paddies in pei. not so many 50s shoppers american clothe.
K.Monroe
I love this picture of my sister and her fiance. I took it when we werecamping last year near Minden, Ontario on Canada Day weekend. 
Photo By Sarah Moffat 
Lucy came into my life just over 2 years ago and what an incredible spirit she is! I never dreamed of having such a powerful being pretty much rule my life and change every aspect of it in every imaginable way. I was told many years ago that Motherhood was not on my life's path, but for some reason she blessed my life. I don't know what I did without her all those years. - Julie 
Photo By Cloud 
It's my dad back in '59 wearing the same leather jacket he rides with today. - Matt 
Submitted by Carla Wagner. This particular photo I snapped is very symbolic to me. I came to Alberta from Saskatchewan and since Sask's provincial flower is the tiger lily & AB's is the wild rose, it's somewhat significant to see the two combined so beautifully. Cheers to anyone who's ever experienced the pleasure of being "Lost in Awe"! "When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs." -Ansel Adams 
This photo of me (Amber Clair) andmy dog Elroy, was taken by my husband Andrew Clair, in Algonquin Park.
It was my first visit to the park , we went on a big hike and ended up on the top of this cliff just in time to watch the sunset. I can honestly say this was a moment of awe for me. The kind that brings you to your knees and time just stops.
In 2001, I travelled to China alone for a year. While I was there I was invited by some friends to go for a hike in the North East on Jade Mountain. What began as a early morning hike ended near the top of the mountain at 11pm. It was cold and dark and I later found out we were sleeping on the ground for a few hours and then we would continue to the summit. I was awoken shortly after and we began to climb once again. We get to our destination and I am directed to a rock to sit on. Its so dark you can only see a few metres around you. Then out of the middle of the dark sky broke a small point of light and these beautiful colours of yellow and red seep through a white slit. We were so close, It felt as though we were on the edge of the earth, the point were everything must end and begin. It was breathtaking, one of those awe moments that bring you to your knees. As the sun began to rise I looked around and saw all of these people scattered over every inch of this mountain face, they all climbed this mountain at night and waited for this moment. I had no idea we were all waiting there in the dark together. 
(I love the sparks and the fire that are part of working with metal!). 
...the simple things - Karen 
These are a few photos that were taken during the Evacuation for Hurricane Rita in 2005. This was the hurricane following Katrina. I can safely say that this event changed my perspective on life. There was a point that we were stuck in the danger zone, not knowing what could come at us and what could happen as a result. They opened up both sides of the highway to head north and in the first thirteen hours of our journey I managed to get my van 40 miles. Traffic was hardly moving and as you can see we got out og the van at points and walked. We were out of fuel because it was 110 deg F and there was no gas to be found. I ended up syphoning gas out of some truck after taking off for the backroads. The people had obviously evac'd too, I left $200 buck in the gas cap. After 28 hrs behind the wheel I pulled into Oklahoma city and spent 5 days there letting the dust settle. On a lighter note, none of us had any idea how dramatic this was going to be, gas shortage, water shortage etc.... Funny thing is the only thing we had in our van in the way of fluids were 3 flats of beer. At 2mph, I felt it was ok to have a couple... lol
Matthew R. Macfie
Taking a break from from the drive between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie on the north shore of Lake Superior in April on tour with my friend Pat. Aaron 
I think she'll always keep me somewhat lost in awe (as our children seem to make us). - Karen 
Photo By Sarah Moffat 
Photo By Sarah Moffat 
Photo By Sarah Moffat 
Photo By Sarah Moffat 
- My first time flying over the rockies last summer enroute from Toronto to Vancouver. I simply couldn't turn my head away from the window. -Ismail
Stars over Dam lake by Eric Benson 
You're right, it doesn't take a pro photographer to capture a cool image. I know nothing about photography but I know what I like in a photo and this one seems to have it all..you could say "it speaks volumes", ha! Although the guitar is no longer playable (cracked neck) it sure made for a great shot and maybe one day it will play again...?!
Kevin
I was wondering through an old part of Buffalo, and came across part of an abandoned apartment complex (4 or 5 buildings in total). It was about 18 degrees with 30+ mile per hour winds. With the brilliant light on the day, and the setting ... just displays the transient nature of industry, especially in Buffalo. We used to be a HUGE steel town, and places like this and Bethlehem Steel are only reminders of how great this city once was, now it's simply laid to waste. It's almost as if the significance of particular aspects of society are simply forgotten. John Waller 
Old friends...somewhere on the East Coast 
Pic by Shelley @ baptiste lake