Results

Pāuatahanui Inlet Photographic Competition – May 2023

General comments

There were a number of great images entered in the competition this year, particularly in the Nature, Scenic and Artistic categories, but the overall quality of the images was below that of recent years.

There were some very creative entries, particularly in the “Artistic” category. These were ordinary subjects photographed in a way to make stunning images. The selection of images is always subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and this particularly applies to the “Artistic” images.

There were a number of quality images in the Recreation category but in several entries the main subject, the person or animal doing the recreation, was very small. In the Human Impact category there was a low number of entries and few of high quality.

A number of ‘Nature” entries featured close ups of birds. This is not easy and requires a lot of patience.

A number of images featured a centrally placed person or animal. Generally things that move are better placed so there is more room in front of them that behind, giving them visual space to move within the image.

Some images would have done better in a different category from the one they were entered in. E.g. Bird photos would have done better in Nature than in Scenic.

A long verbose explanation on the back of the print does not enhance the image. In a photographic competition the image should be be strong enough to carry the message or the story, without the need for a long description. The caption should contain background information.

As I have said in previous years, I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy the beauty of the Pauatahanui Inlet, an area that we are all lucky to live near and have easy access to, and to make more compelling images of the Inlet.

If you think my opinions of the images you have created are unfair then disregard them, but please consider them carefully before doing this. You can learn a great deal, and improve your photography by critically reviewing your own work on a regular basis, even if you are an accomplished photographer.

AWARDS

Nature

Position	Reference	Comments
1	16 “Down the Hatch”	A great image of a kingfisher eating. The open mouth with something in it sets this image apart from other kingfisher images. The simple blurred background makes the bird stand out. The sparkle in the eye gives life to the image.
2	17 “Simply nature”	An amazing shot of dragonflies? (It would be nice to know what these insects are called) The symmetry breaks traditional rules of composition, but in this case is real good as it emphasises the pattern made in nature. The image would have more impact if the background was lighter.
3	17 “Should I Go, Should I Stay”	A good image showing detail in the wing and movement. The simple background draws the viewers attention to the birds. The sparkle in the eyes gives life to the image.
Best “Highly Commended”	10 “Piwakawaka / Fantail”	A good image of a fantail showing the detail of the tail. Well composed. The sparkle in the eye gives life to the image.
Youth	50 “A Gathering of Spoonbills”	A good image of wildlife in the Inlet. The grass in the foreground and the distant houses give depth to the image.
Junior	70 “Fishing”	A good image of wildlife in the Inlet close to suburbia. It would be improved if there was more space in front of the heron than behind it.

Recreation

Position	Reference	Comments
1	13 “Testing the Waters”	A Great image full of fun an joy as well as showing the Inlet well. The expression is great and the splashing water shows movement and fun. I love it!.
2	17 “Good Read, Good Views”	A good composition of what may be considered not a typical recreation beside the Inlet, The subject is well placed in the frame and the camera angle well chosen to show the book.
3	12“ Paddle Power”	A bright image showing the recreation on the inlet in summer, and also showing some wildlife that appears undisturbed by the recreational activity. The image would be improved if the kayak was slightly further to the left of the image, giving more space in front of the kayak than behind it and if the kayakers’ face was not obscured by the paddle.
Best “Highly Commended”	16 “Having Fun”	A dramatic image of recreation on the Inlet. The spray shows the movement of the person. The image would be improved if the surfer was slightly further to the right of the image, giving more space in front of the surfer than behind him.
Youth	51 “Meditation”	A good image showing a person enjoying the Inlet. The image would be improved if the foreground was lighter and the figure stood out.
Junior	71 “Come explore with me”	A happy face enjoying a walk by the Inlet.

Human Impact

Position	Reference	Comments
1	13 “Grays Road in Flood”	The curve in the road and the line of cars makes a good composition, framed by the power pole and wires. It is debatable if the flooding is due to human impact, as this road has flooded for many years, but the products deposited by the cars definitely have an impact.
2	17 “Not Cheers for this”	The subject in this image is sticking (and dangerous) and the inclusion of the mud flats and inlet in the background add to the story. The impact of the image would be stronger of the bottle was larger in the frame. This could be achieved by a lower and possibly closer camera position while retaining the view of the inlet in the background.
3	12 “Old Boats Never Die”	The positioning of the boats makes a good composition and the reflections add to the interest. The Human Impact is not shown as well as in the other placegetters.
Best “Highly Commended”	16 “Wheelies”	This image shows the impact of driving vehicles on the mud flats and the inclusion of the inlet in the background gives a sense of place. The figures gave scale. The image is dark and would be improved by giving more exposure.
Youth	51 “Wreckage”	A good image showing the impact litter on the shellfish.
Junior	71 “Where there is smoke there is fire”	A good landscape image with a strong foreground. The smoke and its impact on the Inlet would be enhanced if it was larger in the image.

Artistic

Position	Reference	Comments
1	17 “Better with Sunnies”	A very creative image. The inclusion of the sunglasses and cap give a lift to what would be an ordinary scene. The blurring of the parts of image outside the sunglasses provides emphasis to the glasses.
2	13 “Raining Rainbows”	An interesting interpretation of a rainbow over the Inlet. Good use of depth of field to keep both the raindrops and the background in focus.
3	10 “Raupo Abstract”	A great abstract image created by moving the camera during a long exposure. Good balance of colours.
Best “Highly Commended”	13 “MoodyMorning”	A well taken image taken at a time when most people wouldn’t use their camera. Good composition with the curved road leading to the brightest part of the sky. The mist, the cloudy sky and the wet road all add to the atmosphere.
Youth	51 “Journey”	A good image of a walker framed by trees. It becomes artistic with the blur of the image.
Junior	70 “Sun on the Horizon”	A good image of the sunrise with reflections in the inlet. This is the only junior image in this Category.

Scenic

Position	Reference	Comments
1	11 “Hidden Pathway”	A beautiful image of sunset reflected in the inlet. The image is well composed with the sandbank leading the eye into the inlet and the interesting sky beyond. The overhanging branches and the grass bank provide foreground which gives a three dimensional aspect to the image.
2	12“Heavenly Glow”	A classical view of the Camborne boat sheds, but standing out because of the evening light on the sky and the hills and correctly exposing for this while showing good detail in the boat sheds and bush behind.
3	11“Stormy Sunset”	A warm sunset image that has retained the detail in the foreground. I’m not sure about the central position of the large tree as this tends to block the view. Perhaps it would have been better to shoot between the two trees.
Best “Highly Commended”	16 “Rain on the Way”	A good image of an unusual weather phenomina. The inclusion of the inlet and surrounding hills give the image a sense of place. The image could be improved if the inlet and hills were lighter, but this would require computer post production.
Youth	51“Sit and Relax”	The lines between the planks lead the eye into the landscape beyond. The decking is dominant and the image would be improved if the bottom and right hand side were cropped to reduce the amount of decking in the image. Shooting on a sunny day would also improve this image. This was the only Youth entry in this category. I’m not sure if this image warrants an award.
Junior	71 “Tamanui te ra Kahakura”.	A good image showing the sandbanks in the Inlet with an interesting sky.