Alex Schwass

Photographer Alex Schwass took this photo from above a waterfall after a portage during a whitewater trip in Northern Quebec. "The photo shows quite a large drop in the landscape as the rushing river flows over the falls," the Grade 12 student says. This is one of two photos from the trip he submitted to The Energy Project: Through a Young Lens, and Alex says he "believe(s) they clearly show the true power of Mother Nature and that she is still the most powerful force on our planet."

Alex Schwass

Alex Schwass took this photo during a whitewater trip in Northern Quebec. "On my trip we paddled down some very big rapids, but we had to portage around just as many," the Grade 12 student says. This photo is one of two from the trip he submitted to The Energy Project: Through a Young Lens, and Alex says he "believe(s) they clearly show the true power of Mother Nature and that she is still the most powerful force on our planet."

Andrew Mok

This photo of a tree "deal(s) with the idea of growth and regeneration of energy through living things," says photographer Andrew Mok. "It was shot on a low shutter speed, which gave the photo a very bright tint, and showed the leaves of the tree catching the light of the sun."

Doug Ross

"Fireworks have been a yearly tradition in my life since before I can remember, and (they were) the first thing I thought of when I thought of energy," says Doug Ross, a Grade 12 student at Royal St. George's College in Toronto. "Fireworks use the power of fire to set themselves off into the air, and fire is a form of energy," he says.

Doug Ross

"Fireworks have been a yearly tradition in my life since before I can remember, and (they were) the first thing I thought of when I thought of energy," says Doug Ross, a Grade 12 student at Royal St. George's College in Toronto. "Fireworks use the power of fire to set themselves off into the air, and fire is a form of energy." It is an annual tradition for the neighbours on the Toronto street where Doug lives to get together to purchase and set off fireworks during the Victoria Day long weekend, and Doug says this image of two sparklers was one of his favourites from 2011. "I like how the energy from them seems to travel to each other."

Greg McDonald

"This photo is based upon two energies," says photographer Greg McDonald. "There is the energy of the cars on the street and the bus that went by contrasting with that of the bicycle." A grade 12 student at Royal St. George's College in Toronto, Greg says in addition to public transportation, "bicycling, walking and jogging should be also a predominant force in the movement of the city."

Greg describes what prompted him to capture this moment at Jane St. and Baby Point Road, near Annette St. "There was something interesting about the way the grass lit up every time a car came by or how the sidewalk would flash as cars sped through the intersection. The energy comes out from the streaks of light given off by the cars and buses. One of my favorite parts of the picture is not one easily seen. I really like how the storefronts in the distance are lit up ever so slightly. The energy from the bicycle is the idea that with your own personal energy you can get wherever you need to go. The light that is reflected upon the bike accentuates the shiny parts and furthers to show the energy associated with riding a clean-energy alternative."

Greg McDonald

Streetcar on St. Clair, by Greg McDonald, Grade 12: "My photo is based upon the energy of public transit. I strongly feel that public transportation can be the best way if cities utilize it properly. It would be much better for the environment and traffic congestion, and it would make more economical sense. Sixty people who usually drive cars could be easily put into a bus, which would save much more room on the streets.

"I took this photo from above St. Clair Avenue in Toronto around ten o'clock at night. As time went by I noticed that there were very few cars out and that there was only buses and streetcars going by, which made me think of my ideal Toronto transportation. I didn't intentionally make the image blurry, but I chose this image because it shows the movement of the city. I was interested in the contrast between the white lights on the road and the top of the streetcar against the blackness of the exterior of the streetcar and the pavement surrounding. I also was pleased to be able to photograph the light inside the streetcar full of people. I think the movement of the camera has accentuated the life inside the streetcar. The photo shows my ideal Toronto by having a street with only public transportation on it and no cars or other vehicles."

Ian Cook

Ian Cook says he chose to photograph water dripping from a faucet "because I felt it best represented the theme of energy." The Grade 12 student explains: "People in countries such as Canada and the United States can have water at their demand just by turning on a tap, but those in third-world countries don't have this luxury. I showed this tap dripping a bit of water because that is the amount of water we take for granted, but those in places such as South Africa would treat (this same amount) as a lifesaver. I think that if we all just stop wasting so much water and stop taking it for granted, we could help those in countries where they don't have water at their fingertips."

Matt Bowlby

"Despite being old and nearing the end of its time, this light bulb still holds a ton of energy and continues to light up the area around it," says Matt Bowlby. "Though it is not the most environmentally friendly light bulb, or the most efficient, it still does its job and, with its energy, still brightens the room," the Grade 12 student says. "This sense of determination is what attracted me to taking this shot and what I believe encompasses the theme of energy."

Matt Bowlby

At first glance, Matt Bowlby says his photo depicts "a seemingly normal air conditioning unit." But what he sees, Matt says, is "the waste that humanity has created to seek comfort and perfection in its environment. This outdated air conditioning unit is the device of an age gone by and represents the corruption of the old and their lack of knowledge of energy-saving, and wastefulness that embodies our society. This air conditioning unit represents the negative effects of our quest for progress and the energy of the past that must be replaced."