Wiki Loves Heritage 2022 report

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Wiki Loves Heritage is a yearly photo contest of Wikimedia Belgium. We use the jury tool Montage to judge the photos to determine the winners of the photo contest.

Why do we organise the contest?

This is the fifth time we organise Wiki Loves Heritage, as an extension of the worldwide Wiki Loves Monuments that is organised since 2010.

It builds on Belgian Freedom of panorama in 2016, and the year of European Heritage in 2018.

The reason why we organise Wiki Loves Heritage is to:

conserve heritage and monuments on Wikimedia Commons
build an inventory on Wikidata and Structured Data on Commons
use the images on Wikipedia

Some participants only contribute to Wikimedia Commons, others are participating in several Wikipedias, or to Wikidata. Users are encouraged to use Structured Data on Commons.

All participating photos Info ISA Tool

Evaluation of the photo contest Wiki Loves Heritage 2022

We would like to thank all participants, the meemoo organisation, for their close collaboration and for their effort to make this contest a success.

There were 28 participants that uploaded 1248 photos in total. We were with 7 jury members.

We selected 10 winners in the third round.

Some participants only contribute to Wikimedia Commons, others are participating in several Wikipedias or to Wikidata.

3 winning photographers have previously won the Wiki Loves Heritage. 4 winning photographers have previously won Wiki Loves Pajottenland-Senne Valley. 1 winning photographer is new.

The prize winners will be individually contacted for the delivery of the prize.

I want to thank the jury members Dirk, Dominique, Frans, Geert, Hadewijch, Inge, and Rony for their effort in selecting the best images.

Winners

The winners of Wiki Loves Heritage 2022 in Belgium are:

Heilig-Hartcollege in Mechelen a/d Maas

This winning photo of the staircase of the Sacred Heart College in Mechelen on the Meuse impresses by showing a unique staircase construction in an imposing way. Through the choice of perspective, namely the frontal position from which the structure was photographed, and the soft lighting in alternating cold and warm tones, the photo enhances the artistry of this architectural creation. Three colour bands are subtly shown: the light band of the upper floors, the soft yellow band in the middle with the ascending staircase and, at the bottom, the beige and brown floor, with each layer having its own perspective. No sensation in the image, but tranquillity, yet a sensational image. A nice detail is the ladder down on the floor behind the door on the right, contrasting with the majestic staircase.

Mirabrug in Hamme-Waasmunster

The merit of this photograph is that it shows the Mira Bridge, a three-part metal truss bridge with pivoting middle section, in its full length. Aesthetically successful because of the vastness of the view, the elongated shadow section and the distribution of the sunny, winter light. The shading reinforces the rhythm of intersecting metal plates that characterises the bridge. Again, the choice of perspective contributes to the visual impact of the image. The other side beckons. The Mira Bridge is located at the intersection of Waasmunster, Hamme and Temse and was originally called Hamme Bridge; It dates from the late 19th century and has been in use since 1898. It played a role as a local supply port for coal, grain, corn, building materials and fodder, among others. The bridge is best known from the film: Mira or the disappointment of the Waterhoek after the book by Stijn Streuvels, which in reality was the Scheldt Bridge in Ruien.

De Utopia bibliotheek van Aalst

The photo of Utopia, Aalst's public modern and imposing experience library, gets a deserved place among the winners of the Wiki Loves Heritage 2022 competition. Utopia was realised by Dutch firm KAAN architects and still snagged the ABB LEAF Award in 2021. The ABB LEAF Award is an annual international architecture prize administered by the Leading European Architects Forum, founded in 2001. The ABB LEAF Award lauds innovative architectural design that sets the benchmark for the next-generation international community. The picture impresses as a cross-section and shows the harmonious distribution of the materials used: the rising lines of concrete and metal against a wooden background where the horizontal line dominates. The tube lights on the ceilings provide nice accents that reinforce the interplay of lines of the two staircases in the foreground. The multicoloured book bands leave no doubt about the building's function. This picture fascinates with its depiction of the structure of this library. Again, it is striking how soft lighting enhances the effect.

De Leiebrug in Bissegem

A successful photograph of the effect of 'ordinary' daylight, captured at an appropriate time. It is soothing and makes the view even more expansive. An image of this Leie bridge in Bissegem was captured just in time as it was due to be demolished in 2021. A photo that evokes a romantic and dreamy atmosphere as a result of the time of the shot, the dew and the misty twilight in the distance. The little orange-yellow sunlight central in the distance contrasts nicely with the predominant monochrome blue-grey character of the photo. The reflection of trees and construction in the water on both sides of the river lead to a balanced composition that enhances the image of the bridge.

Kasteel van Beauvoorde

For my taste, a somewhat more ordinary picture, but a soothing one from a somewhat lesser-known side of Beauvoorde castle. Not the entrance, but the side of the castle with the attached chapel is in full view. A recognisable photo that offers a realistic representation of the different parts of the compact castle, surrounded by a moat. The bare trees and grey sky form the upper part of the frame. The reflection in the dark water the lower part.

De Stadshal van Gent

Ghent's city hall on Emile Braun Square from a special perspective. This photo is a great example of added value of perspective and lighting. The photo reinforces the architectural power of this building. It presumably contributes to the acceptance of a construction that evoked 10 years of pros and cons. The photograph is a successful representation of the 'interior' of the structure. The shelter of the roof with its irregular small strips of light is palpable and draws attention, before it is refocused on the medieval row of facades in the background. The rhythm of the small strips of light contrasts nicely with the lines of the roof structure.

Kasteel Kruikenburg van Ternat

The choice of framing is good: not an ordinary 'frontal view' of the castle, as so often. But some open space with vistas to the left. The lighting (I suspect a morning or evening sun) is again soothing and 'rustic' which suits such a castle. The photo was taken on a clear winter day: the castle is reflected without much distortion in the dark, motionless water with the reddish-brown colour of the facade becoming even more intense. The water reflects the stateliness and tranquillity this castle evokes.

De Koninklijke Steltenlopers van Merchtem

From the series of photos taken of the Royal Stiltwalkers of Merchtem, the jury put this photo in a place of honour. The spectators are not visible, but they are present: they look up at the anonymous stilt walker and they greet him. And the stilt walker greets back with a broad smile on his face and waving his left hand. High-level human interaction. The photographer has chosen (or struck) a unique background, a blue sky with light white clouds that makes the colourful clothes stand out. The relationship between the 'big' stilt walker in the centre and the two 'small' stilt walkers at the bottom on either edge creates an interesting tension. The photo manages to capture a vibrant tradition with a fine composition.

Fort de la Chartreuse à Liège

Detail of the fortified Fort de la Chartreuse, built in the Meuse Valley between 1817 and 1823 on the orders of William 1 and intended as a defence of the city of Liège. Not an exceptional photo compared to many other laureates. There are photos that show the fort's glory, others its decline. This photo focuses on the reuse of the building as an art object. The corridors, stairwells and passageways have become the domain of graffiti artists. The photographer has chosen the subject and the camera position well: the heavy walls take on a certain nimbleness. partly because of the chosen perspective with the light coming straight across the camera. It evokes a special atmosphere. Nice combination of vault, stairs and light.

Bakkerijmuseum van Veurne

Atmospheric photo of a rural scene: trees in bloom with nostalgic link to a craft of primordial importance: daily bread. Again, soothing is paramount. The chalkboard with Cafeteria Open Welcome is already outside. The pink glow of the sun is visible on the end wall of the large barn next to the cafeteria. Where certainly a cafeteria at a museum evokes liveliness, everything is still quiet here. The choice of moment of the shot is extraordinary in itself. This photographer has only ever uploaded a single photo.

Statistics

https://tools.wmflabs.org/glamtools/glamorgan.html

We do have fewer contributions, but the quality is comparable to last year, and the usage grade is systematically raising. In 2018 the European year of heritage attracted more participants.

Year	Images	Used	Percent	Participants
2018	4348	1163	27%	141
2019	1056	321	30%	19
2020	840	329	39%	17
2021	2076	447	21%	37
2022	1248	161	13%	28

Round	Selection technique	Participants	Images	Percent	Jurors per photo	Photo's per juror
Contest	physical quality	28	1248	100%
1st round	yes/no	26	1137	91%	4	650
2nd round	score 1-5	22	395	32%	7	395
3rd round	ranking	16	48	4%	7	48
Winners	best image	8	10	1%

Jury

Hadewijch Bal
Frans Grijzenhout
Dominique Labar

Dirk Lindemans
Inge Van der Stighelen

Geert Van Pamel
Rony Vissers

Deelnemers aan public domain day
Winnende deelnemers
Winaars met de jury

External links