Festival Billboard Set To Sparkle

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news release

EMBARGOED until 0600 Friday June 1

Festival Billboard Set To Sparkle

A dazzling freehand light trail of Auckland’s skyline has won a new competition aimed at finding Auckland’s first billboard photographer.

“Burning Skyline” by May Lee Weernink will now go on public display on a huge Fanshawe Street billboard, provided by SKYCITY Auckland.

The giant image will be official unveiled on Saturday (June 2) to celebrate the launch of the Auckland Festival of Photography.

This year’s festival runs from June 1 to June 24 and will feature more than sixty free exhibitions and events throughout the Auckland region.

May Lee is a 24 year old amateur photographer from Epsom. She won’t have to travel far to see her enlargement – her office is also in Fanshawe Street.

The winning photo was one of hundreds of entries submitted to “Another View of Auckland” – a competition open to photographers of all ages and abilities.

Images from ten finalists have been on show at SKYCITY Auckland as part of the Festival’s People’s Choice voting round. Hundreds of people cast votes and only one vote separated the two most popular entries.

May Lee says people constantly ask her how she achieved such an eye catching result.

“I set up my camera on a tripod facing a dark wall in the backyard,” she says.

“Setting the camera to long exposure, I used a remote control to activate the shutter. Then I drew the Auckland skyline - freehand - using a lit sparkler. I wore dark clothes so I wouldn't show up in the photo.

May Lee made repeat attempts and used two full boxes of sparklers before she was satisfied with her final entry (pictured above.) “The hardest part was probably getting the proportions right. In some pictures the tower was too small or the bridge was too big. Getting it all in the same place was tricky too - especially the girders on the bridge.

“I probably spent a more than two hours on it! My flatmates thought I was crazy..."

Many of those who voted for May Lee’s photo thought she was brilliant, not crazy. Other comments included: “very imaginative and original,” “not contrived; amazing photographer,” “stunningly beautiful,” “awesome!” “Burning Skyline” will be officially unveiled in Fanshawe Street on Saturday morning.

The photo billboard will remain on display for the duration of the three week photography festival.

ENDS

www.photographyfestival.org.nz

Creative Exposure Festival 2007 is supported by ASIA NZ Foundation, Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council, North Shore City Council, Waitakere City Council, Sky City Community Trust, Lion Foundation, Olympus, Mazda Foundation, Adshel, Britomart, Hobson Community Board, HP, NZ Internet Services, NZ Post, Parsons, PCL, COGS, Creative Communities, Heart of The City, Auckland International Airport Limited, SKYCITY, Triangle TV and significant support from The ASB Community Trust.

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