First-time competitor wins Photographic Contest

First-time competitor wins Ellerslie Flower Show Photographic Contest

First-time competitor Wendy-Lee Renner has won this year’s The Great Ellerslie Photo Competition with Magnolia Mist (pictured above).

Wendy-Lee, from Rangiora, won the national event with a last-minute image she “snapped in her garden the weekend before the competition closed”.

The theme for the competition was Focus on Flowers.

Wendy-Lee says she has always “pottered around with photography” but had never entered a competition before and was “really taken back” with the win.

“It is very exciting. I have always had an interest in photography but have always been too busy raising a family. Two years ago when the children left home I went out and bought a digital camera and did a basic course at the University of Canterbury.

“I got quite enthusiastic for a short time and then got busy again.”

Wendy-Lee says she really enjoyed looking at the photography at last year’s Ellerslie International Flower Show and had promised herself she would enter in 2010.

“I was looking on the website to buy tickets to the Show when I saw the photographic competition ended in just a few days time. I got the camera out and spent the afternoon in my garden”

She entered three images in the contest and she says the win has re-inspired her: “I think maybe I should now pursue my passion for photography and enter more competitions.”

Second in the open section was Hugh Davies from Wellington and third Anne Bastian of Christchurch.

The under 18-year category was won by Christchurch student Pip Wright with the image Purple Flower Power (pictured).

The 17-year-old, who is the official school photographer at Burnside High School, has been taking photos since a young child, inspired by her mother, a former professional photographer.

Pip says she entered The Great Ellerslie Photo Competition last year but was unsuccessful.

For this year’s competition, she headed to Hagley Park and “took heaps of pictures”, entering three into the competition.

“I have always liked photographing flowers and plants, and in particular, using the macro lens because you can get so close and take real intricate, detail shots. I also like taking images of flowers at angles you would not normally see when walking, standing or sitting.”

Pip wants to pursue a career as a photographer and, in particular, as a fashion photographer.

• Ellerslie International Flower Show is New Zealand’s premier week-long Garden Party in Christchurch’s North Hagley Park from 10 to 14 March 2010. Check out the website for further information www.ellerslieflowershow.co.nz

ENDS