Tommorrow's Manukau Looks Picture Perfect

3 July 2003

Tommorrow's Manukau Looks Picture Perfect

Amateur photographers in Manukau City have left a big impression on judges in the inaugural 'Tomorrow's Manukau through today's lens' photography competition.

The competition which was sponsored by the Manukau City Council in conjunction with the Manukau Photographic Society attracted 147 entries.

Judges were impressed with the young talent who took advantage of displaying their creative skills, and commented that the high standard of entries had exceeded their expectations.

Judges Don Campbell and Gary Healy also commented that it was good to see the use of both traditional film and digital images and the way each technique were used to bring out the best in the photographer's art. "The diversity of the subject matter was amazing as was the amount of work and creativity the entrants put into capturing the images or telling the story. It was particularly nice to see how many of the entrants had portrayed events, places and people in their community in a way that gave a real insight into not only the cultural diversity of the region but also the wide range of activities that take place and its unique geography spanning two harbours." said Mr Campbell.

Gary Healy commented "Often in public competitions the standard is pretty ordinary, but there was some very nice work submitted. I think that most people would benefit from membership of a club like the Manukau Photographic Society. Some of the entries were exceptional but for small things like composition etc. Learning a little more about such details would enhance their work and take it to a new level."

There were five categories in the competition; People, Places, Open, Nature and Junior (List of winners is attached).

Each of the category winners received $500 except for the Junior Open Category which received a family pass to Rainbows End. The Supreme Award Winner, Jodi Douglas of Manurewa (winner of the Places Category) also received an Olympus Digital Camera as well.

75 entries, which give an insight into the distinctive personality that is Manukau City, were chosen for display in an exhibition at Nathan Homestead. The exhibition will run until 4th July. It will then move to the Mangere Community Arts Outreach gallery from 8 July until 24 July.

ENDS

Manukau Arts Photographic Competition Winning Details

People Category
Winner: Tracey Rose (Manurewa)
Highly Commended: Shona Kebble (Pakuranga)
Merit: Claire Cowan (Howick)

Places Category
Winner: Jodi Douglas (Manurewa)
Barbara Dawe (Howick)
Linda Newlands (Manurewa)

Open Category
Winner: Ib Olesen (Manurewa)
Highly Commended: Robert Hart (Papatoetoe)
Merit: Doug Humby (Bucklands Beach)

Nature Category
Winner: Winkie Wing Kit Chau (Manurewa)
Highly Commended: Trisha Leau (Papatoetoe)
Merit: Winkie Wing Kit Chau (Manurewa)

Junior Open
Winner: Briar Wyatt (Manurewa)
Highly Commended: Jennifer Jang (Howick)
Merit: Dorothy Mokaraka (Papatoetoe)

Supreme Winner: Jodi Douglas (Manurewa)

Biographies of Judges

Gary Healy

Gary has been interested in photography for more years than he cares to remember. He joined the Papatoetoe Camera Club (now Manukau Photographic Society) about 18 years ago. He has been on the committee for most of that time, mostly as president. He does not work professionally as a photographer but has covered weddings, family portraits, functions, etc through word of month. He believes that photography is a visual art, and that commenting on it is very subjective.

He tries not to follow whatever trend or style that is in vogue but takes the view that the first person you should try to please is you. If you can do that, be happy. He believes, learning and improving in photography is a continuous process, however, there is always something new to get your teeth into. The advent of digital photography has added a new dimension to the art and one that he enjoys working in.

Don Campbell

As a kid Don was completely entranced by anything to do with conservation, nature and insects in particular. Every spare minute was spent exploring the bush and local shorelines looking strange and new things to study. Don has now been a commercial photographer for 15 years.

Macro (close up) and nature photography became a real passion. Over the years his work has been recognised with a number of awards in local, national and international contests and salons, which encouraged experimentation with other more abstract depictions of Don's favourite subjects. His photography and passion for all things with six or more legs has resulted in his nickname of the "bug man".

Don has been very involved with several camera clubs, including as president of the Manukau Photographic Society and later the Pukekohe-Franklin Camera Club. He has also judged on a regular basis for a number of clubs and contests around the country. A few years ago Don was awarded an associateship to the Photographic Society of New Zealand (APSNZ) for his nature photography.

Over the last seven or eight years Don has developed a passion for teaching photography as an extension of his judging activities. He is now teaching a number of night school classes as well as doing private tutoring and workshops on a regular basis. This has also extended recently to mentoring groups of kids from local schools who are interested in nature and photography.

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