The Winner!

Congratulations to Kristal Merry, the winner of the Canon Online round 3 for 2025.  There were 124 entries in this round.

A bit of history about Kristal:

ark room, so I learnt a lot about processing my own black and white film and photos. I have been photographing professionally for 18 years. I mainly photograph horse events around Canterbury each weekend, plus have dabbled in dog shows, mountain biking and motorsport photography too. I have recently in the last two years, made myself a studio and photograph pets with coloured backgrounds. I am a member of the Rangiora Photographic Society and also a past member of Christchurch Photographic Society.

About the winning image:

These wee cuties came to me in my studio, and I set up various coloured backgrounds for them to sit on. They were perfect little models with inquisitive characters who sat beautifully for their portraits. Originally with a green background, I love this image in black and white, with their different textures and shades in their fur and their curious little faces, they just came together so perfectly for me!

 

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The judge for this round was Brian Harmer LPSNZ.

An introduction to Bryan:

I am long retired, I live in Shona McFarlane retirement village in Avalon, Lower Hutt. Since the sad dissolution of the Hutt Camera Club a few years ago, I am no longer active in camera club life. I no longer drive and that combined with decreased stability has reduced my ability to get to the locations that used to appeal to me. Nevertheless I still love photography and life goes on. As requested by the organizers, herewith a link to some of my work. Feel free to explore as much or as little as you like: https://harmerbrian.myportfolio.com/maritime-matters

 

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Judge’s Comments

Judge’s Comments

What a privilege it has been to select ten images from the 124 entries. There were many more images worthy of recognition, but sadly the request was to choose the ten that had the most appeal to me. Another judge may have chosen differently, but here are my choices:

1st Three Little Piggies - Kristal Merry

I loved the utter simplicity of this image combined with its pin-sharp detail. The Guinea Pigs have an

endearing personality which is well captured in this delightful bright-eyed portrait. The background

is well managed with no distractions.

2nd Wreck of the Janie Seddon - Lance Wakefield

Janie Seddon hangs suspended between sky and sea, and this picture too has the virtue of simplicity.

I love that despite the large absences of steel in parts of her hull, the designers’ intended curves are still visible. The photographer has placed the hull nicely within the frame, allowing the merged sea and sky to speak of her isolation.

3rd Le Vase - Lisa Kearns

I found this a compellingly attractive image. The dappled background works well in contrast with the solid presence of the physical subject. The floral arrangement in the vase worked well, especially flower surrounding the subject’s eye. The fantail is endearing though I am less convinced by the distant bird. I love the cracks in the supposed ceramics of the vase.

4th A Hoary Dog Wealk - Caroline Foster LPSNZ

The breathtaking stillness from front to back seized my attention. I loved the contrast between the frosted trees and the white of the overcast sky. The warm colours of the reeds and the dog’s coat speak loudly in a field of icy whiteness. I can almost hear the dog’s eager snuffling through the icy weeds and see the wagging of its tail.

5th The Ride - Allysa Carberry APSNZ

Can you hear the thunder of those Harley Davidson engines and do you take a mental step back from the implied threat of their riders. Just the first two faces are clear in focus, but grim faces and the salutes make this is a classic illustration of the word “staunch”,

6th Ice art - Roy Cernohorsky

This lovely triptych is beautifully composed. I love the delicacy of the palette and the elegance of the meandering curved openings in the ice that speak to me of currents beneath the surface.

7th High Water - Brent Higham

Beautiful colours and no visible horizon allow the illusion of the receding posts suspended in mid-air. The delicate clouds and their reflection are really appealing. I wonder if it might have been possible to lose the undisciplined strand of wire? On the other hand perhaps it adds to the mystery and the history of this interesting fence on the lake.

8th Canyonlands Evening - Ron Willems Hon PSNZ FPSNZ FAPS AFIAP ARPS

What an absolutely spectacular landscape, and what a beautiful capture of the light on the nearest of the magnificent buttes. The mixture of light and shadow painting the alternating layers of the receding landscape is breathtaking. I am intrigued by the blue water of the distant lake (or river). It is interesting to me that in all this vast landscape there is no hint of a human presence.

9th Battling the Waves - Paul Byrne FPSNZ ARPS AFIAP

This is a fine example of the decisive moment, though I am left wondering whether it might also be half a second too soon? I love the sharpness of the image and the placement of the boat and its crew in the frame. Can you feel, as I do, the weight of the water in that wave, and the forces at work to produce the spectacular spray. The crew are obviously hanging on desperately to stay in the boat.

10th African sunrise - Markham Mail APSNZ AFIAP

This moment is beautifully captured. I could see this image as a worthy part of the opening scenes of “The Circle of Life” from “The Lion King” movie. The fantastic rosy dawn provides a wonderful background to these elegant animals.