The Winner!

Congratulations to Kevin Riley, the winner of the Canon Online round 4 for 2025.  There were 108 entries in this round."

A bit of history about Kevin:

After a long career as a Cinematographer in the Screen Production Industry, I have found my way back to Stills Photography. During my working years I headed-up camera departments on Action TV Shows for American Studio Producers and also shot a wide range of New Zealand Produced TV Series. A few years back I retired from the fast-paced work regime allowing me to reconnect with my passion for getting out with a Stills Camera to explore our amazing coastline and natural environments, both bush and rural. Two years ago I joined the Hibiscus Coast Photographic Club and found plenty of inspiration and guidance from its talented membership. I now get to create images at my own pace, one frame at a time. My hope is that my images may inspire others to take a second look, to respect, preserve and treasure our natural world.

About the winning image:

This image was taken on one of my wanderings across the dunes of Manakapua Island on the Kaipara Harbour. Whilst waiting for the sun to get a lot lower on the horizon, I was sheltering from the wind hoping in time to get some sunset wide shots. The wind-blown patterns of the small dune I was in caught my eye. In order to get the sun in the right spot I had to lay on my belly and dig a small hole in the sand so that the lens was low enough to create the sun star. A few clicks and a face full of sand later I was hopeful that I would be rewarded with a compelling photo. As it turns out this was my favourite image of the day and I am very happy that it gets this acknowledgment as I am striving to simplify my compositions and embrace the intimate landscape style of photography.

 

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The judge for this round was Cushla Moorehead.

An introduction to Cushla:

I am Cushla Moorhead. I have recently shifted from Motueka to Pegasus in Canterbury and so now belong to the Kaiapoi Camera Club. I like the new environments and finding new places and subjects to take.. There is lots of bird life here as well a new scenery both of which I am enjoying.

 

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Judge’s Comments

I was very impressed with the standard of images in this Canon Online. There have been  big improvements since I last judged this competition. It was very difficult to whittle the numbers down to only ten as the standard was so high. Some lovely images missed out on an award because of this. Congratulations to the winners and well done everyone else.

1st Dune Star - Kevin Riley

It is the light and shadows that caught my eye. The repetition of the lines across the hill on the left and the way the rays of the sun are showing on the right form a complete composition for me. The golden light gives a warmth to the story. Either this has been very carefully thought out as to timing or it was a lucky chance. Which ever it was, it is different and unusual. A striking image.

2nd Leather & Lace - Karen Moffatt-McLeod APSNZ

Even though her face is covered, her eyes hold my attention with the suggestion of seriousness and mystery. I wonder about her and am drawn to that elusiveness. The lacy apparel enhances the sense of mystery, revealing and concealing at the same time. The image is beautifully lit.

3rd Frosty Morning Magic - Wendy Pemberton LPSNZ

This is a magical image and so beautiful. It is like an illustration in a child's fairytale. The details of the crystals in both the ball itself and the crystals below are beautiful with the light creating the depth. The background presents the crystals so clearly and gives some warmth to the otherwise very cold looking image. The balance of the ball is amazing and adds another dimension to the image.

4th Young Boy Old Soul - Liz Hardley FPSNZ GMAPS EPSA LRPS EFIAP/d1

This is a stunning portrait of this boy with his very serious eyes holding all the knowledge of life or that is what it feels like.

The eyes hold me in their depth. The different textures and the neutral colour palette all combine to complete this image.

5th Milky Way at Hakatere Conservation Park - Dianne Wells LPSNZ

I love the unusual setting for the milky way. The amount of light in the foreground is subtle and adds greater depth to the whole image.Then there is the hill with the stripes on that hold my eyes in the image and so gradually to the Milky Way. The whole image is beautifully balanced.

6th Flaming Nightmare - Ron Willems Hon PSNZ FPSNZ FAPS AFIAP ARPS

What strikes me about this image is the sense of sheer power of the flames, the passion of them. The black metal objects give structure to the image and anchor it as they are silhouetted by the fire. The fire is awe inspiring in its strength as the roiling movement consumes. The low horizon emphasises how small mankind is against the elements

7th Dancing with the Indigo Deep - Wei Jiang LPSNZ

I like the angle looking down on the surfer and the waves. The different perspective gives a totally new view of a surfer and the waves. It shows how little man is in the ocean and yet the surfer holds his own in the vastness. I love the repetition and the tones of one colour.

8th Shape Shifter - Sharon Souproanuck APSNZ

The lighting is what makes this an interesting and intriguing image. The black and white shows the shapes while the lighting gives texture to the sand . The way the land has been sculptured by erosion to form amazing shapes is emphasised by the light and shadows.

9th Gathering Nest Building Materials - Carole Garside LPSNZ

The shag and the nesting materials form an arrow which brings a strong sense of urgency to the gathering of the nesting materials The way the wings have been caught with the tips showing the movement of the wings adds to the overall hurry. The bird is well placed in the frame with space to move into.

10th Gavin - Lynn Hedges LPSNZ

There is a sense of mischievousness in the eyes of this man as he looks sideways. The portrayal of this character has been enhanced by the way he has been posed and the lighting which pulls me into his face and eyes. A lovely portrait of an interesting looking person.