Congratulations to Markham Mail APSNZ AFIAP, the winner of the Canon Online round 6 for 2025.  There were 111 entries in this round.

A bit of history about Markham:

I became an enthusiastic photographer when I was awarded an AFS scholarship to the USA and purchased an Agfa Silette with a hand held light meter. On return I bought a Pentax Spotmatic SLR, working as a cinecamera man for NZBC until Camera House came calling.

Thus began a 45 year sales, management and ownership career in retail photographics. I joined PSNZ in 1970, the New Plymouth Camera Club and the Auckland and Christchurch Photographic Societies as I was transferred every few years. During this time, I had a darkroom and mastered mono and colour printing, gaining my LRPS and APSNZ, winning the Maadi Cup, the HS James Landscape Trophy and the Trans-Tasman print competition. I also became a busy PSNZ panel judge.

Then work intervened for the next 35 years, although Catharina and I travelled extensively.

On retirement, I re-joined NPPC, learned Photoshop and began entering competitions again, working for my AFIAP during Covid. Many of the international awards have been from composite images, which along with triptychs, I have encouraged our club members to explore.

About the winning image

About "Apartments":  This composite image was originally taken for the NPPC end of year "President's 48 hour print challenge" Subject: "Windows", where we were given a weekend to take, edit and print the entry.  I already had figures from a composite made during Covid (rephotographed) and it was a matter of walking the city to find the right windows.

 

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The judge for this round was Irene Callaghan APSNZ

An introduction to Irene:

I am a lifelong photographer and like many my interest began with a Box Brownie.

As a member of the Nelson camera club, I work across a range of genres, with particular focus on creative expression, macro, portraiture and landscape.

I became an accredited PSNZ judge in 2016 and now serve on the Judging Accreditation Panel. I value the opportunity to engage with the diverse approaches taken by club members throughout Aotearoa.

I continue to refine my artistic vision alongside my partner Jon, whose technical expertise supports and complements my creative work.

 

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Judge’s Comments

It was a privilege to spend time with these images. What stood out most for me was the strength of storytelling across the entries, whether expressed through human connection, quiet observation, or conceptual depth.

I was particularly struck by the diversity of images, from bold ideas to delicate studies of light and texture. Each image invited me to not just to look at the work, but to feel something in response.

The standard was high, and the top images lingered with me long after viewing, which is always the mark of compelling photography.

1st Apartments - Markham Mail APSNZ AFIAP

A captivating tableau of private lives glimpsed through the windows of this apartment.  This image pulls me into a layered narrative of connection, curiosity, and quiet drama. The use of silhouettes is both elegant and evocative, allowing me to project my own interpretation onto the unfolding scenes. It’s clever, cohesive, and emotionally resonant. A well deserved first place. Congratulations to the photographer.

2nd Man and his Mate - Lynn Hedges LPSNZ

This image radiates loyalty and quiet devotion. The bond between the man and his dog feels unshakable, a shared world built on trust, routine, and mutual care. The dog’s gaze is full of patience and knowing, while the man’s posture suggests comfort and companionship. It’s a moment that speaks volumes without needing words, and the emotional depth is unmistakable.

3rd Hands and Alcohol, the Weight of Memory - Charlie Yang

The hands gripping a hammer evoke tension, resolve, and perhaps regret, all suspended within the confines of a bottle. The stark monochrome and tight framing intensify the emotional weight, suggesting a theme of containment, struggle, and the burden of past choices. It’s visually arresting and I feel connected to the thought processes behind this image. A powerful metaphor sealed in glass.

4th At Peace - John Shuker

A face is revealed through layers of texture, as if nature itself is whispering secrets. The interplay of the rough surface and delicate features creates a haunting tension between concealment and revelation. It feels like a soul slowly surfacing from stone, with soft flowers offering a gentle counterpoint to the rugged depth. A poetic and immersive piece that invites quiet contemplation.

5th From on High - Margaret Jones LPSNZ

A beautifully timed study in motion. The diver’s journey from poised stillness to airborne grace is captured with clarity and rhythm. The spacing of each frame allows us to feel the arc of her descent, almost like breathing with her through each twist and turn. It’s a celebration of athleticism and precision, and the composition makes me admire her form as well as the composition of the image.

6th Glowing Cherry Tree - Heather Shuker

A tranquil celebration of seasonal beauty, this weeping cherry tree stands like a living sculpture. Its cascading blooms form a soft and delicate pink canopy that invites stillness. The surrounding garden is thoughtfully composed, with rich colour and gentle curves that echo the tree’s grace. It feels like a place to pause, breathe, and reflect. A visual balm for the soul.

7th See you Leiter - Richard Spencer LPSNZ

A fleeting moment in the rain where the muted tones set a quiet, reflective mood. The bright yellow umbrella becomes a beacon, drawing my eye and lifting the scene from grey to gold. There’s a sense of solitude and purpose here, as if the figure is walking through memory itself. Beautifully understated and emotionally resonant.

8th Holmes Wharf- Oamaru - Sue Henley LPSNZ

A brooding scene where the weathered boardwalk draws us forward, its lines converging toward  rooftops under a heavy sky. The low perspective and rich texture create a sense of anticipation, while the birds in flight add a fleeting moment of life to the stillness. It feels like the beginning of a story, or perhaps the quiet after one has ended.

9th Moss seed head - Roy Cernohorsky

A tiny marvel magnified. This delicate moss sporophyte, crowned with shimmering droplets, feels like a jewel suspended in time. The dreamy bokeh backdrop adds a sense of wonder, turning a humble natural detail into something ethereal and otherworldly. It’s a reminder of the beauty we often overlook, and the magic that lives in the smallest corners of the world.

10th At the station - Graeme Skinner LPSNZ

Stylized and enigmatic, this figure walks with quiet confidence, leaving behind a trail of intrigue. The patterned red dress and green gloves create a striking visual contrast, while the painterly effect adds a nostalgic, almost cinematic quality. It feels like a scene from a story I’ve just missed, and yet I’m drawn in by the mystery of what comes next.