Tuesday 3 May 2022 4:30pm
May Mei captured this stunning image of sunrise at the iconic Moeraki Boulders
Associate Professor May Mei, of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation, has won the 2022 Otago Bulletin Board Photo Competition.
The stunning image of sunrise at the iconic Moeraki Boulders was the result of perseverance, entailing three trips to the beach to capture the dawn light.
“The beach is facing towards east; thus, it is an ideal place to enjoy the morning glow. However, you are not always fortunate enough (especially in Dunedin) with the light. Eventually I got this opportunity after going to the beach three times.
“The photo was processed by stacking around 100 photos. These photos were taken every 3 seconds using a tripod, to achieve a 300 sec slow exposure effect.
“I became interested in photography because I am always moved by the beauty of the nature and wanted to record all of the wonders I see. My husband, who is an electronic engineer, also has a great passion in landscape photography and deep sky photography. Photography is the hobby of our family. We have been enjoying taking photos for more than ten years.”
David Steer had to climb a tree to snap this photo of of the state highway just north of Arthur's Pass
One of two two-runners was David Steer, an Applications Support Administrator, who also had two notable entries in the competition.
“I started taking photos just after moving to Dunedin 10 years ago. I enjoy most genres of photography, and I'm a member of the Dunedin Photographic Society.”
His runner-up image State Highway was the result of trying a different subject than what he had set out to photograph.
“Just north of Arthurs Pass there is an historic building called Jack's Hut. After spending some time trying to photograph the hut I decided to try the road instead. I had to climb about 4ft up a tree to get the angle I was after.”
Moose and Bandit obligingly posed for Amber Hannah with the Barrier Range lit up in the background
Joint runner up Amber Hannah, a Cryopreservation/Embryology Specialist Technologist, had two willing subjects in dogs Moose and Bandit.
“This photo was taken after a day out exploring the Ahuriri Valley and was one of those lucky moments when the light was perfect and I actually had a camera with me - the trusty smartphone. We stopped for a couple of quick photos (as it was freezing cold and everyone was tired) and Moose and Bandit obligingly posed for me with the Barrier Range lit up nicely in the background.
“I became interested in photography a few years ago but I am still very much in the amateur 'point and shoot' category. I'd love to do more wildlife photography but I'm not really patient enough so the dogs are usually the focus of my photos! They will happily pose in return for treats!”
Three judges narrowed down the final 12 photos through an anonymous photo viewing process.
Almost 140 photographs were entered by staff and students. The quality and number of entries made for some lively discussions among the judging panel.
Judge Eugene Yeo, a two-time winner of the competition, said the standard was “very high”.
“It was a tough task selecting the top 12 photographs, although for me, May’s photo was an easy pick as the overall winner.
“What impressed me was the well-thought framing along with the clever use of shadows and a smidge of long exposure to really accentuate those leading lines.”
“May did a great job capturing those beautiful golden hour colours.”
The winning photos will be turned into the 2023 Otago Bulletin Board digital calendar.
Notable entries
Yasmin Abdul Aziz, Assistant Research Fellow, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine
I took this photo as I was walking to work on a winter’s morning. The sunrise and colouring of the sky was insanely beautiful so I captured it on my phone. I wouldn’t consider myself a professional photographer in the slightest. I like living in the moment but there are some moments like this photo that don’t happen every day and that I want to preserve forever.
I’m an Assistant Research Fellow at the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine and College of Education. I’ve been at the University of Otago for 11 years, spending the first 10 completing my Bachelor of Pharmacy and recently PhD at the University.”
Simon Roberts, Senior Administrator Student Administration
This photo was taken at Purakaunui Falls in the Catlins when I was first experimenting with long exposure photography. This is a popular spot for photographers, so wading into the water and shooting from a low angle up at the falls with the stream flowing towards the frame allowed me to capture a more dynamic composition than is possible from the viewing platform.
I inherited my interest in photography from my family growing up and work mostly in landscape and nature photography. I do the bulk of my shooting while tramping and try to take my camera on as many trails as possible so I can capture unique shots in remote places that most people don’t have the opportunity to experience.
Aziah Zainal, Department of Management, Otago Business School
This photo was taken on a Glacier Explorers boat trip at Tasman Glacier Lake, Mount Cook. The trip was close to being cancelled because of strong winds in the hours before the trip but luckily it didn’t last. I was glad I went for the excursion. Well, perhaps glad is an understatement, I was absolutely amazed with what I saw. The massive iceberg floating in the lake with stunning mountain in the background prompted me to 'freeze' the moments so that I can relive the feeling anytime I look at this photo. I'm pleased with how the photo turned out; the bright yellow boat stands in stark contrast to the tranquil blue and white tone at the background.
I have always had an interest in photography, but it really took off when I moved to New Zealand. New Zealand is such a beautiful place that I told my friends I could take pictures with my eyes closed and the picture will still look amazing! I am definitely excited to explore more of what New Zealand can offer and to polish my photography skills.
Judy Ormandy, Senior Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women's Health (Wellington)
As a keen (some might say obsessed) scuba diver, photography allows me to share the wonders of the underwater world with my landlubber friends, whanau & colleagues.
The decommisioned HMNZS Canterbury was deliberately scuttled in Deep Water Cove in the Bay of Islands in 2007. Assisted by a Rāhui, it is now a vibrant artificial reef, home to a plethora of marine critters and one of my favourite dive sites. During our mid-winter night dive, jewel anemones encrusting the ship railings created a luminescent kaleidoscope of colours. In this photo, the shimmering anemones are contrasted against the inky blackness of the sea.
David Steer -
Taking pictures of waxeyes was a small lockdown project last year. With a long lens and a food source they will come close enough if you stay still or hide under a towel.
I took this photo of a grebe at the marina on Lake Wanaka in February. It's a great location to see such beautiful birds from the bank or sat in the water up to your waist to get a low angle for a photo.
Katy Rossiter, Master of Science student
Having been a science kid my entire life and studying science at university for the last five years, it's been really refreshing exploring photography as a creative art in the last year or so and using a different part of my mind. The challenge of capturing a perspective or place that hasn't been seen in that way before is so enticing to me, so the Valley of the Trolls in Fiordland was a fantastic opportunity I couldn't miss.
I was absolutely exhausted after gaining 1300m of elevation in a day (the hardest tramp I'd ever done!), though Fiordland put on a spectacular show of clear skies our entire trip so it was completely worth the leg cramps. I couldn't help but feel blessed that in the billions of years the world has existed, I get to be here when these mountains and lakes are here too."
Raewyn Wright, Clinical Research Nurse, Department of Paediatrics, University of Otago, Christchurch
If people ask me what equipment I use for my images, I would say the most important thing would be my eyes. From taking a lot of photographs you see things in a photographic way, especially when you begin to see the light and how it can make an image special.
My camera goes most places with me too, if I don’t have my SLR I use my cell phone, so I always have the ability to take an image when I see it.
This photo, Love Autumn was taken in early March. I loved the heart shaped leaves and the red tones of the Autumn colours made me smile. I also liked the back light bokeh effect, lighting the photo from behind.
I enjoy macro photography especially flowers and nature. I like their simplicity, symmetry, colour palette and seeing the details inside the flowers. I also enjoy architectural photography perhaps due to it being simple and symmetrical sometimes as well.
I got my first camera in my teens and have taken photos ever since. My family have got used to checking where I’ve got to when we are out and about and wait patiently for me to catch up with them if I’ve stopped, as I have seen something I want to photograph. I can easily spend hours taking images and I find it an excellent way to de stress.
Christian Macfarlane, Communications
I took this photo when I cycled the Central Otago Rail Trail in October 2021. This character was at the top of a particularly long hill on a particularly wet day, and as I thought about the rest of the cycle in the pouring rain, I felt an instant connection with it. I think our expressions looking down at our bikes were pretty similar! Luckily the weather cleared up, and we had a fantastic trip through stunning scenery.
I've always been interested in visuals, and I was a videographer for a few years after finishing university. I got into photography in 2017, and since moving to New Zealand in 2019, I've made an effort to get out and take more photos. I love landscape photography, and you really can't beat New Zealand for stunning landscapes! I'm moving back home to Scotland this year, and I'm excited to get out and capture the scenery back home.