Nikki McNaughten won the contest last year with a fabulous shot of her son, 3-year-old Marlin, surfing with his dad Kirtis.
Chief photographer and judge Dean Purcell said that what he really liked about the winning image was the use of a longer lens to focus the attention on the subjects.
“The exposure’s spot on and the moment is perfect,” he said, adding: “Marlin is almost standing, his little hand just grabbing dad’s thumb for support. But it’s the anticipation that he will fully stand up that’s the key. The split second before achieving is more emotionally charged, leaving us willing Marlin on.”
Photo / Johanna Taylor
Second place went to a beautifully composed and amusing image of Bevan Taylor cooling off in a cattle trough, watched attentively by his cows on the farm at Kawakawa. Johanna Taylor, Bevan’s wife, took the picture that had the judges laughing. The third prize was taken by Tui Watling, of Auckland, of her mokopuna asleep in the back of a car taken by her daughter Aroha.
“The weather was perfect that day … we took a picnic, chilly bin and shade tent to the beach and we chased the little one around while the older girls ran about. We didn’t leave the beach until about 6pm, so the kids were tired out,” said the girls’ dad Jordan Meinata of the shot.
Purcell said that all families would relate to this scene.
“Anyone who’s been a kid or has had kids will relate to this,” he said. “The perfect jumble of sleeping bodies, the centred window behind and the road disappearing in the distance: it couldn’t be better.”
Photo / Tui Watling
Every year in the competition’s 20-plus years, the standard of photography has improved and this year’s judges are eagerly anticipating entries flooding in to see what turns up.
So the challenge is on: what incredible photographs can you wow the judges with?
The prizes include three Sony A6400 Mirrorless Camera; and three Sony LCS-SC8 Camera System Carry Cases.
Use the entry form below or send your (hopefully) winning snaps to photocomp@nzherald.co.nz.
Best of luck.
Terms and Conditions: NZH Summer Photo Competition
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