Canon Online — Results

PSNZ Canon Online Photographer 2022 Round 2 Results

By Paul Willyams APSNZ AFIAP MNZIPP, Canon PSNZ Online Coordinator

Congratulations to Jack Horlock, the winner of the Canon Online round 2 for 2022. There were 99 entries in this round. Jack writes about his winning image:

‘Shot at 0.5 Seconds, f/11, ISO 100 on a Canon 5D mk iv with a Sigma 50 mm f/1.4 Art lens, Canon Speedlite 600EXIIRT and Yongnuo YN-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter; plus a Godox LST80 Light Tent frame and 3 led light boards.

‘The blurred path of the feather was lit by the led boards from the sides and front with the sharp image of the feather lit and frozen by the off-camera Speedlite positioned about 45 degrees from the subject. Although the image suggests that the frozen feather is at the bottom of its blurred path, the image has been flipped in post both horizontally and vertically. The sharp feather was captured by first curtain flash, and blur was captured from that point on. It all sounds quite simple and well planned, but I dropped that feather hundreds of times before I settled on the right shutter speed and flash duration, and got the feather to go where I wanted it to.

‘My photography journey started as a teenager in the late 70s with a Pentax SLR. At that time, I was also developing my own film and prints, but my interest dwindled over time as life got in the way. In 2015 I emigrated to New Zealand, and everything around me inspired me to pick up a camera again. In the last few years, I have been involved with the Whangarei Camera Club, and the regular competitions have helped me explore different genres and techniques.’

The judge for this round was Tony Gorham LPSNZ BPSA. Tony is a professional software developer and business owner who has had a love of art and photography for most of his life. He has been judging for a couple of years and is an active member of the Howick Photographic Society. Tony is a passionate portrait photographer and has been working on a series of vintage pinup-style portraits that he hopes to make into a book. See some of Tony’s work at www.nzvintagepinups.com. You can also view his work at www.tonez. co.nz and https://www.instagram.com/nztonez/

Judge’s Comments

I was thrilled to be invited to judge round two of the 2022 Canon Online. As usual, the standards were very high, but the tricky part was separating the last 10 images into an order. Of course, we should not forget those images that just missed the cut as it is a very close-run thing, and I can assure you that it was not an easy process. The ten selected images are all fantastic; however, I had to look at how I responded to their emotions and stories.

1st - Falling Feather by Jack Horlock

This delicate and ethereal image transported me to a gentle and calm space where I could feel the soft breeze on my skin as the feather displaces the smallest amount of air. The treatment of the light in this image evokes a wonderful sense of movement and tricks the viewer into believing they are there in the moment. The composition is wonderful and tells the story of that movement, leaving us gently floating with the feather.

... PSNZ Canon Online. Awarded Photos

2nd - Big Cussie in Charge Robin Short APSNZ

This image leaps off the page and infects me with a smile. All three children are happy and engaged and perfectly placed to boot. I really love the treatment of this image; it has a classic, timeless quality that I would love to be able to emulate. I don’t know how the author has managed to get all three children to pose so perfectly; magic, I suspect. I really enjoy the tonal range and the peaceful feel this image has. One good portrait is a tough ask; three is mind-blowing.

3rd - Tāku Aroha Lynn Fothergill LPSNZ

The connection and warmth in this image are palpable. Whilst we often want to see the eyes in portraits, here is the perfect example of why there are no rules. Of course, I am guessing that this is mother and daughter, but whatever the connection, I feel the connection. I feel this image, and that is all I need to know. There are the obvious cultural references and the symbolism that the circumstances provide, and that makes this interesting; they tell a compelling story. However, I feel this image, and that feeling, are the most compelling elements.

4th - Old Oil by Dianne Campbell

I find this to be very much in the style of the “old masters” paintings. The subtle golden colours and the use of negative space are handled expertly. I feel that good photography is like good music; it evokes an emotional response, often a memory. When I look at this, I recall being in the shed with my old dad, with soft light filtering in through a dirty window, making delicate shadows that sculpt the battered old implements. It can turn a collection of old oil cans into a beautiful piece of sculpture.

5th - Dahlia Patterns Sue Toneycliffe

Nature can be inspiring, and it can be magical, and it can be overwhelming. When we look at things differently, we see differently. This image shows the individual petals as they emerge and open from the centre of the flower. There are the most beautiful colours and delicate textures. It really does make me stop and marvel at the magnificence of nature. The author’s sensitive treatment of this and wonderful use of depth of field are to be commended.

...PSNZ Canon Online. Awarded Photos

6th - Skimming the Surface by Judy Stokes APSNZ

I love the tranquillity and serenity on display here. Intentional camera movement is one technique that is easy to do yet incredibly hard to do well. This image falls into the expert category. There is just enough of the bird to be able to fool us that it is simultaneously both sharp yet moving. It almost feels to be moving with a different rhythm to the water. The placement is perfect, the bird has room to move, and the movement in the wings tricks my brain into wondering if it is actually moving. The pastel colours take this image to the next level; I could happily have this in my home.

7th - Lone Bird at Piha Brian Eastwood MNZIPP

A soft, peaceful and utterly captivating image. I can picture myself standing on the beach, watching the light changing and being stalked by a lone gull. It is easy to see myself in this scene, unwinding after a tough day or rising early to get a good start. I can hear the water lapping in the background; I breathe in time with the water. If you listen, perhaps you can hear it too. Images like this transform me to a time and a place where I would very much like to be.

Ahh, the memories. For those of us who are old enough, this was our childhood. I am a big music listener; this image speaks to me and my childhood. It evokes memories of a time when there was no internet, no Spotify or Netflix: an analogue time. A time when putting on a record was our form of escape. The geometric shapes reminded me of the famous photo of Igor Stravinsky by Arnold Newman. The choice of shutter speed is perfect for showing the movement, and the highlights on the record reinforce that movement to great effect.

8th - 45 RPM Peter Rodgers LPSNZ

...PSNZ Canon Online. Awarded Photos

9th - Bench and Broom by Brian Turner LPSNZ

I very much enjoy this simple story; it is well told. The image is quite flat and compressed, so it almost becomes a series of shapes and patterns. I feel that we can zoom out and see the individual elements and how they must relate to each other. The light on the broom, and the rich tones, contrast so very well with the blue wall. When I explore this very simple scene, I have questions. Who uses the broom, who sits on the bench and most importantly, what is around that corner?

10th - Kissed by the Sun by Wendy Pemberton

I must confess that I don’t really know what this is. How wonderful! I don’t know what I am looking at, and I don’t need to because it is exquisite. I think perhaps a Christmas tree decoration, but maybe not. The large ball in front has a somewhat crystalline structure that renders beautifully in the out-of-focus areas. The light falling on the clear ball is indeed kissed by the sun, and the way we can see it passing through to the other side is very striking. I can feel the warmth of the sun in this image.