As the winter frost begins to thaw and the first signs of spring emerge, residents of Montpelier are gearing up for a unique competition that has become a tradition in the city – the Montpelier Bridge Pothole Photo Contest. This quirky event invites locals to showcase the biggest and most menacing potholes in the area, capturing the essence of the season’s wear and tear on the city streets.
The photograph that started it all, taken on Elm Street in Montpelier, features a particularly notorious tire-eater that has since been filled in. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are plenty more craters waiting to be discovered and documented. Participants are encouraged to email their pothole photos to editor@montpelierbridge.com, along with their name, the location of the pothole, and if possible, its dimensions.
The winning entry will receive the honor of being featured in an upcoming issue of The Bridge, Montpelier’s local publication, as well as on the newspaper’s social media channels. It’s a fun and lighthearted way for residents to come together and commiserate over the inevitable road hazards that come with the changing seasons.
Challenges of Capturing the Perfect Pothole Shot
While the premise of the contest may seem simple enough, the reality of capturing a compelling pothole photo is not as easy as it sounds. As the editors of The Bridge can attest, getting a good shot of a pothole can be surprisingly challenging. The uneven surfaces, varying depths, and often inconvenient locations of these road imperfections can make it tricky to snap a clear and aesthetically pleasing picture.
Professional photographer John Lazenby, who took the original photo of the Elm Street pothole, shared his experience of trying to capture the essence of the tire-eating crater. “Potholes may seem like mundane subjects, but they actually present a unique photography challenge,” Lazenby explains. “You have to find the right angle, lighting, and composition to truly convey the depth and scale of these road hazards.”
Despite the difficulties involved, the Montpelier Bridge Pothole Photo Contest continues to attract participants year after year, highlighting the community’s ability to find humor and camaraderie in even the most frustrating aspects of daily life.
Celebrating Community Resilience and Creativity
Beyond the playful nature of the competition, the Pothole Photo Contest serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Montpelier community. By coming together to share their experiences of navigating the city’s pothole-ridden streets, residents are able to find common ground and solidarity in the face of shared challenges.
The contest also provides a platform for residents to showcase their artistic talents and unique perspectives on the world around them. Through the lens of a camera, even the most mundane and overlooked aspects of urban life can be transformed into compelling works of art, sparking conversations and connections that transcend the boundaries of everyday routine.
So as spring arrives and the potholes of Montpelier begin to bloom once again, residents are invited to pick up their cameras, venture out into the streets, and capture the beauty in the chaos. Who knows – your pothole photo just might be the next winner, immortalized in the pages of The Bridge for all to see and enjoy.
