Judge: Neil Gordon
Landscape - 2x Digital worldwide, 2x Print - New Zealand only and both include Seascape.
Landscape Trophy - March submission - digital and print - 4 images in TOTAL.
SET Subject only. No Open - please select SET otherwise your image will be rejected and not submitted.
Landscape -
2x Digital worldwide and can include Seascape
2x Print - New Zealand only and can include Seascape
MCC Trophy topic. Landscape (editing restrictions). You can submit up to 4 images for the Digital and Print MCC Trophy's.
MCC Trophy topic. Landscape (editing restrictions).
The competition is NOT graded and NO points are awarded - so is different to the other monthly topics.
Two trophies are awarded: .
- The best print image trophy is the Elizabeth Davidson. Entries must adhere the below rules
- The best digital image trophy is the Barbara Wilson. Entries must adhere the below rules.
Seascapes cannot be of just water - to qualify it must have some land content.
Images that have been previously entered in any MCC as "Open" may be re-entered into the MCC Natural History Trophy Competition. Up to two digital entries and two prints may be submitted
Two images per medium (prints and digital images) can be submitted for a total of four images - so a very unique opportunity.
Refer to the PSNZ rules: https://photography.org.nz/about/definitions/
Photographs which capture a sense of 'space' and 'place' and tell a story of the scene before the camera. A landscape may combine elements such as land, sea, bodies of water and sky and may include human elements for scale and context but not to the extent that the human element becomes the prominent element.
The integrity of the landscape at the time of capture must be maintained. The making of physical changes to the landscape such as the introduction of new elements either from photographic sources or digital painting eg, adding in or replacing skies, foregrounds, birds, mists, sun, moon, sunray, etc, or the deletion of significant objects is NOT permitted.
Minor deletions of transient items eg, a leaf or stone or dust spot or litter, etc are permitted if they do not impact on the integrity of the scene. Digital adjustments including dodging and burning, changes to tone and contrast, and cropping are allowed, as are High Dynamic Range, stitched panoramas, and focus stacking.
Open
Set Subject
Reminder that Landscape competition points and awards do not count for progression or grade points
Landscape Prints
| Aurora at Ward Beach | We have been so lucky over the last year to see auroras well north in NZ. I like the rocky foreground and the leading curve of the bay around to the horizon, then my eye goes up into the sky to enjoy the rays and the stars. The horizon appears bowed down in the middle to me - perhaps from wide angle lens distortion, and I recommend this be corrected in post processing if possible. I was a bit puzzled that the stars on the left were quite sharp, while those on the right appear larger and fuzzier. This may be because they are further from the centre of rotation (due south) and therefore appear to be moving slightly faster during the long exposure, but I'm not sure. Nice to see the small and large Magellanic clouds on the middle and upper left of the image, as well as the milky way of course. | Accepted | |
| Beautiful Night Over Wither Hills | I love the delicate colours here of both greens and magenta in the auroral display. I think the dark foreground base works well, with a few silhouetted trees, and the image is nice and sharp with pinprick stars, plus annoying but thin Starlink satellite traces - Musk's fault, not the photographer's. Unless this is to be submitted as a nature image, I suggest that the tree on the left with the wiggly branch be cloned out as it pokes above the horizon and becomes a bit of a distraction for me. A nicely printed and presented memory of the current set of displays. | Merit | |
| Follow the River | I enjoyed the inherent geology in this image, with the knowledge that the mountains are the source of this river, which appears quite wide at this point and must clearly expand across the flood plain from time to time, and is perhaps eating into the bank at the edge of the river below our viewpoint. The river provides a nice leading line up into the mountains, and the snowcapped peak on the left hints at even higher mountains beyond. Parts of the mountain tops show quite pronounced haloing, and I suggest this be reduced using techniques I mentioned below. I also suggest that the foreground grasses be cloned out as they appear out of focus and intrusive from the bottom of the frame. Everything else looks nice and sharp and the exposure is well handled. NOTE: This is a short video demonstrating a method of reducing halos around dark edges which I occasionally use myself, though if possible, it's best to avoid creating them in the first place https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v1kKh3mI2A |
Merit | |
| Lake Mathieson view | What a glorious view this is, with a mirror-like reflection of the mountains, disturbed only by a single duck which has been captured when exactly on the left-hand third. Good timing! I think the overall composition is great, and it's all in sharp focus. The exposure feels just a little off to me, with the flax and trees in the shadow on the left looking like it has been brightened to reveal detail but without enough contrast. I suggest that the blacks in that area be reduced, and maybe even for the whole image to increase the contrast a little. A lovely view of a lovely spot. | Merit | |
| Mountains at Molesworth | One of these days I must travel the Molesworth Road - this image certainly encourages me to do so. I think that might be Mount Chisholm on the right? It's all sharp and the exposure is well handled with details in the shadows on the mountain The small segment of road provides context, though it might be better if it was heading into the image rather than off to the left which does tend to take my eye out of the frame. The colourful broom (I think) flowers and green provide a nice contrast to the background rocks, snow and sky. | Merit | |
| Salt Works | The salt works are a unique location and operation and I think this captures that very well. I think this is a great composition - from the thin base of the grasses and flowers, to the reflections, the works, the poer lines, the brown hills beyond, the hills further back, and then the hazy sky. It all conveys a feeling of haze and isolation and dryness. Love it. | Honours | |
| Wairau Lagoon | I could imagine standing on that boardwalk and heading off into the distance. It feels hot and dry, even though these is water everywhere. There's a striking contrast between the warm tones of the boardwalk and grasses and the sky. For me the sky looks a little odd with a sudden change to a darker colour at top left where I would expect it to more gradually get darker in reality. The different light in the shadowed areas has a magenta caste - it might be worth brushing in those areas with a different colour(warmer and greener) to make it better match the rest of the vegetation. Well composed, and nice and sharp. | Merit | |
| 5575 French Pass Road | What a stunning image of this view down French Pass Road. You can't help but start at the mailbox, and follow the road down the brown hills , and then around to explore the headlands and islands. There's just enough sea at bottom left to reveal that this is an isthmus. The horizon line is more central than a typical suggestion of the top third. In this case I think it works, because the sky balances the very different base of the image, and gives a more expansive feeling in my view. Exposure is great. I did wonder whether the image could be cooled down a bit so the sky was even more of a complementary to the brown land. A wonderful image. | Honours | |
| A winter dawn at the Blue Lake | The Blue Lake in St Bathans is a great spot for this kind of image, with the calm waters reflecting the interesting cliffs and vegetation. I think this is well composed, with the autumn trees and the largest white cliff on the right forming the focal point for me. I do feel that the brightness and colour on those trees could be lifted a little, to make them stand out a little more so I could enjoy the detail and colour. A well-captured image that conveys a sense of stillness and natural beauty. | Merit | |
| Rainbow Ski Area | How interesting to capture this view in the summer, which has quite a different feel from how I expect it looks in the winter time, covered in snow. I imagine rocks such as those in the foreground could be a bit of a hazard. The more I looked at this the more interesting I found it. The building is nicely positioned on the edge, I feel, and helps give this a sense of scale, and the road snaking up from the valley to what I imagine is the carpark tells the story of journeys. And is there a risk of landslides or even avalanches down on that road? It looks vulnerable. We appear to be only just above the treeline, and it looks like a nice bowl to ski in and then perhaps catch the T-bar back up the slope. It's sharp and well exposed, and I think very well done. | Honours | |
| Rock Strewn Dunstan Range | The rugged slopes of the Dunstan Range feel vast and untamed, with the jagged ridgeline drawing my eye across the frame. The black-and-white treatment enhances the contrast between the dark rocks and lighter vegetation, making the textures stand out well. For me, the peak in the middle ended up being my point of focus but I didn't feel like it is in a terribly strong visual position. I suggest the photographer try cropping in quite a bit from the right, as well as a bit from the top, so that peak is in a stronger position on the right-hand third. I think that would also give a bit more prominence to the small outcrop at top left, which for me would then nicely balance a similar sized outcrop on the main peak. There's a rather dark vignette on the top left corner that I suggest be made a bit more subtle- or similar to what is at top left of this print. An interesting study of form and texture. | Accepted | |
| The Buller Gorge | A very West Coast view of bush, a river and mist, and I fancy also rain. I like the way my eye is taken around the bend by the curve in the river. While I like the ripples in the river on the right, for me there is a large portion of this image, right in the middle in a strong visual position, which is relatively featureless bright water (reflecting the sky) that doesn't contribute much. All the interest for me is around the outside of that, including the misty bush and the leading line of a road on the right and the silhouetted bare tree on the left. But overall it is very evocative of the West Coast. | Merit | |
| Triangles Before the Whiteout | There sure are lots of triangles in this composition - from the trees on the top left to the various hills and of course the top peak. The snow in those trees on the top left looks relatively fresh, and I presume from the title plus the completely white sky in this print that more is on the way. I found the foreground a bit cluttered with those large dark trees, although my eye did follow the line up to the right and then into the higher terrain. I quite liked the cabbage tree silhouetted perfectly in a small gap on the right, though I found the small spindly tree above and to the left of it a bit distracting as it poked up and had high visual weight for me - it could perhaps be cloned out. An interesting scene with plenty to look at. | Merit | |
| Ward Beach Aurora | This is a stunning portrayal of the aurora over Ward Beach, with vibrant green and magenta hues stretching across the sky. It's interesting to me that these are horizontal bands, with little sign of vertical rays that perhaps need more active conditions? The shoreline curves gracefully, leading my eye towards the distant rocks and the glowing horizon. The long exposure creates a soft, misty effect in the water, contrasting beautifully with the textured pebbles. The hillside on the right adds depth and balance, helping to frame the scene. This would be a great landscape shot, even without the added benefit of what is in the sky. The stars appear sharp, and the presence of the Magellanic Cloud adds extra interest. In my view, the exposure is well-judged, retaining detail in both the land and sky. The stars are pin sharp, and the teal of the water complements the auroral green. This is a well-composed and technically accomplished image. | Honours | |
| Winter in the Awatere Valley | I was quite taken with the snow-capped mountains providing a dramatic contrast to the green hills and vineyards below, with compressed perspective enhancing that contrast. The composition leads my eye naturally through the layers of the landscape, creating a sense of depth. The small white house among the greenery adds a focal point and a sense of scale, though I found the other buildings on the right and the coloured machinery more of a distraction than anything. The snow on the mountains and the sky appeared somewhat indistinct, and I wondered whether increasing the contrast or clarity there might bring some more texture and interest. Overall I think it's a good image conveying the contrast between the vineyards, green slopes and snow. | Merit |
Landscape Digital
| 1 lone Yacht in the Sounds | This scene has a peaceful, almost mysterious quality, with the lone yacht glowing against the darker, misty background. The layers of hills and low-hanging clouds give me a strong sense of depth, making the yacht feel small and isolated. I like how the composition leads my eye naturally across the water towards the yacht, which stands out due to its brightness and strong visual position. For such a small object I don't mind the overexposure. Lifting some of the shadows on the left might create a more balanced feel for me. The water appears a bit noisy or overprocessed to me and I suggest smoothing it a little, to enhance that lovely feeling of tranquility in the Sounds. | Accepted | |
| Central Plateau | There are often some lovely views on the drive across the Desert Road, and this reminds me of my own journeys. I like the layers in the image, from the foreground flax and tussock though to the snow-capped Ngauruhoe and cloud. I do find more interest in the foreground, which has more contrast and detail, than the background which I suggest could do with more contrast or clarity to enhance the interesting details. The image appears a bit warm to me for what appears to be a daytime scene. I very much like the positioning of the mountain, in a nice strong visual position. | Merit | |
| Dewy Morning | Looks like a foggy as well as dewy morning in this atmospheric rural scene. I like how my eye is led into the fog along the leading line of the irrigator, and then to the backdrop of the hills. For me the foreground fence is quite busy and provides a bit of a barrier, stopping me from entering the scene. I wonder if it might have been better to capture the scene a bit further forward, without that fence. Or the photographer could try cropping in, to remove the fence through a combination of cropping and a bit of cloning. I was quite excited, by the way, to see hints of Kelvin Helmholtz waves on the top of the layer of fog on the right - a bit like breaking waves. | Accepted | |
| Down The Valley | I love the framing of this landscape, with the foreground slopes holding it in from left and right, then a series of layers with my attention naturally taken through a gap in the poplars to the main peak just off-centre. There's a hint of occupation with a few farm houses, and lovely sidelight revealing the details on the hills opposite. The image appeared to have a slight purple cast to me (I accept that could have been from approaching sunset), and looked a bit too overprocessed with a kind of crunchy feel. I suggest checking the white balance anyway, and dialling back a little on Lightroom clarity or similar post-processing tools in whatever is being used. I also recommend a very small crop on the right to remove that bright feature right on the edge. Thoughtfully composed with a real feeling of a NZ rural scene. | Merit | |
| Lake Hawea - Evening | The calm waters of Lake Hawea create a stunning mirror effect, making the reflection of the mountains and sky a key feature of this image. I think the composition is strong, with the dominant peak on the left anchoring the scene and leading the eye towards the distant ranges around the bend in the lake. I do think that if the darker areas on the left were lifted in brightness that would reveal more of the lovely detail, especially in the reflection. I also found the foreground a bit busy and distracting - perhaps a crop from the bottom plus some cloning could help. There is some quite strong chromatic aberration evident in this image - green fringing around the top of the mountain, and purple around the edge on the bottom right. Most post-processing software, including Lightroom, can do a good job of reducing or eliminating this. I think this is a lovely image with plenty of room for improvement. | Accepted | |
| Lindis Pass | The rolling hills of the Lindis Pass area create a beautiful sense of depth, with the winding road naturally drawing my eye into the scene from the right. I like how the warm, golden tones of the land contrast with the cooler, snow-dusted peaks in the background, adding a sense of scale and distance. The interplay of light and shadow across the hills brings out the texture and movement in the landscape. The dramatic sky adds to the mood, though it might be worth reducing the highlights a little. I think this is a well-executed image that captures the rugged beauty of the region with a strong sense of place. | Honours | |
| Rocky coastline | Aren't we lucky to have such lovely coastal scenery? This image showcases some oddly shaped and interesting small offshore islands - I think perhaps at Motukiekie. I'm encouraged to explore these details, and admire the contrast between the sea and land. I'd encourage the photographer to lift the shadows soe more of those details are reviewed. While the foreground vegetation helps to set the context and frame the image from below, for me it is a bit intrusive in part because it is mostly out of focus. A different viewpoint, or a large depth of field might have helped. I suggest the photographer crops off about a third of the sky at the top - there is already a great feeling of spaciousness so it isn't all needed, and the good old rule of thirds would help in this case, I think. Great to see a level horizon though! And an image that captures the wild beauty of the location. | Accepted | |
| Sea-mist Memory | The approaching storm creates a dramatic and moody atmosphere, with misty hills fading into the distance and heavy clouds dominating the sky. The composition is strong in my view, with the shoreline curving gently to lead the eye into the scene, while the textured grasses in the foreground provide a sense of depth. The cool, muted tones reinforce the stormy mood, though some areas appear quite dark, making details harder to see. Lifting the shadows slightly could help reveal more texture without losing the dramatic feel. The sky, while suitably brooding, might benefit from a subtle contrast adjustment to bring out more cloud detail. The sense of isolation and raw coastal beauty is well captured, making this a compelling image with room for refinements to enhance its impact. | Accepted | |
| Storm coming on the Kaikoura Coast | I think this is a wonderful view of the Kaikoura Coast, with nice set of layers from the foreground grasses through to the distant headlands. I could imagine standing there and watching the clouds rising up over the land. It is quite dark overall, which suits the weather of course, but I think lifting the shadows might reveal more texture without losing the dramatic feel. Ther's an almost circular dark patch in the clouds at around the top left third. I'm pretty sure it is just cloud, but the problem for me is that it looks like it could be an artifact, so I suggest it be cloned out. There's also a couple of small dots on the sea horizon that will be real, but are a bit of a distraction to me once seen, and I suggest they be cloned out. The sense of isolation and raw coastal beauty is well captured, making this a good image with room for small refinements to enhance its impact. | Merit | |
| The Blue Path | The cool blues and misty mountains create a peaceful yet dramatic scene here, with the distant valley acting as a natural focal point. I quite like the charm of the two ducks, thought I wondered whether with different timing it might have been more obvious what they were, with their beaks outlined against the water rather than confused with the bodies. This feels tilited to the left, and I suggest rotating it clockwise to correct that. I think it could do with some noise reduction, especially in the sky, for a cleaner finish. The panoramic aspect suits this scene, I think, with lots of layers. | Accepted | |
| Trespasser in Paradise | The lone figure standing on the rock gives a strong sense of scale, making the vast mountain landscape feel even more immense. The person is positioned in a way that naturally leads the eye across the reflective lake towards the snow-capped peaks. The mountains and clouds appears a bit too blue to me, while the darker shadow areas seem to have a purple colour cast. The image appears sharp throughout, with excellent detail in both the foreground and distant mountains. I think it is nicely composed, capturing a moment of quiet contemplation. | Accepted | |
| View to Mitre Peak, Awatere | Lots of layers here, from the foreground pasture and cattle through the snowcapped mountains. It all looks nice and sharp and well exposed. It does feel to me like the ground is tilted to the right - as well as the line of cloud bases, so I suggest the photographer try an anticlockwise rotation. The scene feels a little two-dimensional to me, which is a natural consequence of the rather flat overhead lighting. Perhaps boosting the contrast a little might emphasise the textures a bit more. A well-composed landscape that does show the beauty of the location. | Accepted | |
| Wairau Lagoon | This sunset scene at Wairau Lagoon has a peaceful, atmospheric quality, with the fiery clouds stretching across the sky creating a dramatic focal point. My eye is drawn along the leading line of the reflections, to arrive at the nicely silhouetted tress, then up to the clouds, and back around. As a meteorologist, it feels like this image is tilted to the right - based on the sloping top of the lower clouds in the middle distance. Plus the range of hills on the left looks on a bit of a slant. I appreciate that I could be wrong, but for me it is often how the image feels, so I suggest the photographer try rotating it a bit anticlockwise to see how they think it feels. There is a large area of very dark foreground on the right which doesn't add much to this image for me. I suggest cropping about a quarter off the right side of the image, which would mean that area is much less dominant, and would give more emphasis to those nice lagoon reflections and cirrus clouds. | Honours | |
| Cycling in a city landscape | This image captures a moment of everyday life in what appears to be a European city, with a cyclist crossing a distinctive bridge over a canal. The strong geometric structure of the bridge frames the scene beautifully, while the cyclist provides a clear focal point and a sense of movement. I think the image effectively conveys the charm of city cycling and the integration of bicycles (there are many) into the urban landscape. Unfortunately, it does not conform to what I understand to be the rules for this competition ("A landscape will typically combine elements of earth, sea or sky. The image may include human elements for scale and context but not to the extent that they become the prominent element.") as for me the human elements very much predominate. | Accepted | |
| Dawn at Kenepuru Sound | This peaceful scene captures the beauty of Kenepuru Sound at dawn, with soft pastel hues reflecting on the water. The low cloud weaving through the hills adds a sense of depth for me. I like the way the headlands frame the scene on each side, though perhaps lifting the shadows there might reveal a bit some interesting detail. The foreground water is quite ripply and I wonder whether smoothing that out a little might enhance the peaceful feel. I noticed some haloing around the top edges of the hills that can be caused by using too much sharpness or clarity or similar in postprocessing - there are ways of reducing that, as noted below. I think it's a nicely captured moment that conveys the quiet majesty of the Sound at dawn. NOTE: This is a short video demonstrating a method of reducing halos around dark edges which I occasionally use myself, though if possible, it's best to avoid creating them in the first place https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v1kKh3mI2A |
Accepted | |
| Kekerengu Sunrise | Well that fire in the sky certainly grabbed my attention. The composition seems appropriate to me, with the sky given equal billing with the foreground beach and sea, and a pleasingly level horizon. I suppose you could call the colours and brightness surreal, and that can be a valid artistic choice. Those look like beautiful altocumulus lenticularis clouds from what I can see at the edges, and I would much rather that the brightness and saturation had been toned down so I could see more of the details, that have been clipped at the high brightness end. It is a dramatic image that captures the raw beauty of nature in an unforgettable way. | Accepted | |
| Lamp Camp Panorama | What a beautiful sight, with the lake acting like a mirror to the mountains, trees, and sky. For me the warm golden tones of the hills contrast beautifully with the cool blues and whites of the distant peaks, while the autumnal trees add a lovely touch of warmth. The reflection is incredibly clear, creating a near-perfect symmetry that makes the image feel balanced and harmonious. I think the placement of the horizon near the centre works well in this case, as the reflection is such a key feature. My eye is naturally drawn to the snow-capped mountain in the background, which serves as a strong focal point. It's unfortunate that there is a small area of completely overexposed white near the top of the mountain. I doubt this is recoverable by reducing highlights and it would also be quite tricky to replace it with content aware fill or cloning, especially since whatever was done would have to be replicated for the reflection. That was all that stopped me awarding this Honours. I think it's a beautifully composed landscape that captures both the grandeur and tranquillity of the location. | Merit | |
| Landscape through time | This is a fascinating composition that uses a triptych format to explore change over time. The three window panes act as distinct frames, each offering a different perspective on the landscape. The left panel, with its weathered building and muted almost monochromatic appearance, suggests the past, while the centre panel, slightly obscured by grime, creates for me a sense of transition. The right panel, featuring a modern wind turbine and lush greenery viewed through no glass (I think), introduces a contrast that suggests progress. The use of old, dirty glass adds texture and atmosphere, reinforcing the idea of time passing. The composition is well-balanced, guiding my eye naturally across the three sections. While the dirt on the glass slightly reduces clarity, it also enhances the mood, making the image feel more authentic. I pondered for a while about the small piece of broken glass in the right frame, and whether I should suggest cloning it out. On balance I think it helps to reveal the lack of glass in that frame, and its sharpness is perhaps a reminder of the sharp realities of today's modern world, even if clearer than the past. I think this is a thoughtful and well-crafted image that effectively combines storytelling with strong visual design. Love it. | Honours | |
| Last of the evening light | What a wonderfully graphic composition, which definitely has that feeling of last light for me. The first thing I noticed was the fenceline running from the bottom left corner, with a few small fenceposts right on the edge which in this case don't bother me *too* much as they draw my eye there and I start my journey into the image. Still, the photographer might consider cloning them out. There's triangles and diagonal lines all over the place that give it dynamism, and the two tanks proudly standing on the top. That does feel a little squeezed and close to the top edge to me, but again not enough to stop me enjoying this. The sky’s deep tone adds to the mood, reinforcing the sense of fading light. For me this is a well-composed and thoughtfully processed landscape that makes excellent use of contrast and structure to create an engaging and dramatic scene. | Honours | |
| Milford Sound . | My first thought about this image was to admire the U-shaped valley carved out by long-ago glaciers. The composition naturally guides my eye from the foreground foliage past the mist and through that valley to the bright sky beyond. This appears too dark to me. While that may be an intentional choice to set the mood, I think lifting the overall exposure while pulling back on the highlights and maybe also adding more into the shadows would reveal more of the interesting colours and textures in the foliage and land, as well as that hint of a road that helps take us into the scene. Everything looks nice and sharp, and a brighter image would, I think, very well convey the raw beauty of this location. | Merit | |
| Mt Ida , Harper River. | Looks like a nice metal road to carry on along, and both that road and the river naturally draw my eye down the valley to the distance, framed by mountains left and right. It looks sharp and well exposed, though the lighting appears quite harsh and overhead so there are few interesting shadows to help reveal the textures and folds in the terrain. A tree at bottom left on the other side of the river leans somewhat awkwardly, possibly because of a wide angle lens. Perhaps this image could be cropped a little from the bottom to give less emphasis to the road and foreground vegetation, and more to the view beyond? A good capture of a scenic spot, and if a return visit is possible, I think there could be some very nice images to be made by exploring around this area in different lighting. |
Accepted | |
| A Misty Morning | This misty morning scene has a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere, with the fog creating a soft transition between foreground and background. The large tree on the right stands as a strong focal point, its dark branches contrasting beautifully with the mist. I like how the layers of trees add depth, with the distant forms fading gently into the mist. The golden grass in the foreground provides warmth, balancing the cooler tones of the mist and sky, although perhaps could be toned down a little in saturation so as not to overwhelm the rest of the scene. I think there may be some sensor dust spots in the sky to the left and above the tree - barely noticeable but there and could be cloned out. The fence and gate add a subtle human element. I think the exposure is well-judged, keeping details visible despite the challenging lighting. I think the composition is well-structured, with the tree positioned slightly off-centre, and the layering of elements naturally guiding my eye through the frame. | Merit | |
| A Sub-alpine Encounter | This feels like a remote, rugged alpine environment, with the striking plant in the foreground (speargrass, I think) providing a bold contrast against the rocky terrain, and being very much the hero of the image. Those yellow flower spikes immediately draw attention, standing out against the cooler tones of the rocks and misty mountains. The mist rolling through the valley adds depth and a sense of mystery, while the distant slopes provide a strong backdrop, if slightly overbright to me on the left. The textures of the rocks, moss, and foliage add layers of interest, and the lighting brings out the details effectively. For consideration - the left-hand side of the image is relatively bright and does tend to draw my eye away from the main subject - perhaps something like a radial filter could be used to reduce the highlights a little on the left-hand side which would also help to cut through that mist and make the distant mountains a little more distinct. Everything is sharp, and this image certainly showcases the beauty of alpine flora in a dramatic setting. | Merit | |
| Alpine Tarn | This alpine tarn scene has a peaceful and moody feel, with soft light giving it a quiet, untouched quality. The foreground rock and mossy patch, along with small flowers, add depth, leading the eye into the still water, which reflects the hills beautifully. I love the clarity of the water, showing the stones beneath, with texture and interest. The curve of the shoreline naturally guides my eye through the image, and the light on the hills behind creates a pleasing contrast. The sky is subtle, which I think complements the earthy tones rather than distracting from the scene. I suggest that the stone at the bottom edge near the left be cloned out to remove that small edge distraction, and a small crop from the right to remove that bump on the hillside at top right. I think it's a lovely image that showcases the natural and quiet beauty of this setting. | Honours | |
| Archnahaird Bay | For a web search, I understand this may be a on the west coast of Scotland. I find it peaceful and inviting, and can imagine standing on those stones and looking out to sea, and wanting to feel the water to see how cold it is. Lots of leading lines of course, though I find that the rock right in the middle tends to block my eye from roaming further out. Geologically interest, and I like the milky effect on the water to the left of it from what may be a longer exposure. The scene is very warm - this could have been from being late in the day, but I suggest the photographer might try cooling it down a little for what might be a more natural appearance. There's lot of detail in the shadows, which is great, but perhaps at the expense of some more contrast and texture in the rocks. A nice sky to complement the scene, with what feels like the right one third of the image devoted to it. | Merit | |
| Autumn in the Vineyards | What an extraordinary sight with all those autumn colours from the vines, and the mountains as a backdrop. I'm guessing this is just after sunrise, with the low sun making those lovely shadows on the mountains. I think the foreground triangle of grass provides a good base to the composition, and a feeling of being on a higher viewpoint. The right hand side of the image feels a bit cluttered to me, especially with the dark tree on the right with almost no shadow detail. I suggest the photographer tries cropping in from the right to that gap between that tree and the next one. I think this would provide enough framing and remove some of the clutter. Some of the deeper shadows in the foreground could still be lifted, I feel. A good capture of a very interesting scene. |
Accepted | |
| Dramatic Coastline | I can't be sure, but think this may be the Tongapōrutu area in North Taranaki, with those extraordinary, crumbling, rock formations with vegetation on top. This is quite a dramatic view of them, perhaps distorted by a very wide angle lens looking upwards, so that the rock faces on the left which I think should be vertical appear to be sloping back unnaturally. That's an artistic choice to go for that dramatic view, though for me it feels a bit unnatural and as if that middle rock in particular is about to topple over backwards. I think the choice of black and white has helped to emphasise the textures of the rocks and the sky, and enjoyed the smoothness of the water which may have come about through use of a longer exposure. A dramatic view of a dramatic place. | Accepted | |
| Dunescape, Martin's Bay | Probably not a place I'll get to see, as I understand it is at the end of the Hollyford Track. This image reveals something of the wind-blown dunes, held together by grasses, and with bush and what is probably ubiquitous low cloud in the background. While the image documents the terrain, for me the closest thing to a focal point where I can rest by gaze on was the somewhat unappealing (to me) and dead looking piece of vegetation at bottom right. I puzzled over that. Perhaps a crop in from the bottom right could be tried, to eliminate that, and to increase the relative size of the bush at top left which then, for me at least, could be a more satisfying focal point to end a journey across the wavy lines in the dunes. On the other hand, maybe this is just the stark reality of a beach scene and this can be seen as an element to balance the bush at top left. So this made me think. I appreciate that the image is sharp throughout and well exposed, and shows a unique area of NZ. | Merit | |
| Icicles Mt White Station | What a fascinating and unique image this is, with the sharp, delicate, still icicles at top contrasting with the motion of the water flow beyond. The triangle of ice at bottom left helps to frame the image, though I wish it was as sharp as the icicles at the top. I find the dimmer icicle shapes at far right also a little distracting by comparison with the main ones, with some bits appearing to float in space.. The inclusion of rocks adds a natural grounding element. I think this captures the beauty of winter in a striking way. | Merit | |
| looking upstream from huka falls | I like this is great view of Huka Falls, with a large volume of water draining out from Lake Taupo into the Waikato River. The long exposure technique gives it that misty effect, with the teal green and white contrasting nicely with the details in the vegetation. The water appears overexposed to me in some places, with almost blocked out white areas with little detail. I highly recommend that the photographer tries reducing the highlights as I think this would reveal more of the interesting streaky textures in the water. I think this is well framed and composed, capturing the beauty of this location. | Merit | |
| Minus Four | This feels like a frozen world suspended in time, with the frost-covered tree standing out beautifully against the muted sky, as the clear focal point. There's lots of wonderful textures in the ice covered tree and the grasses. I like how the smaller trees in the background add depth and a sense of scale. The cool colour palette enhances the icy atmosphere, and the gradual shift in tone from pale grey to blue in the sky adds a soft, moody quality. I think the exposure is well-judged, keeping detail in both highlights and shadows. The composition is strong, with the main tree positioned slightly off-centre, and the open space to the right allowing the scene to feel expansive. It could be worth rotating it a little clockwise so the background horizon is closer to appearing level. Overall, a striking winter scene that captures both the stillness and beauty of a frozen landscape. | Honours | |
| Morning Light over the Mountains | I like the panoramic aspect of this view looking down the valley to a cloud-covered mountain beyond, with morning light from the left. The image appears nice and sharp and I think the exposure has been particularly well handled, with lots of detail in the shadow areas. I do suggest a small crop from the right to remove that bright area in the bottom right corner, that could be distracting. The closest thing to a focal point for me is that mountain beyond the valley, which didn't feel in a strong visual position for me as it was close to the left edge. The greens of the lower slopes contrast nicely with the earthy tones of the peaks, making the scene feel vibrant yet natural. It does make me feel like I was there. |
Accepted | |
| Rural Canterbury | I think the rolling hills of rural Canterbury are beautifully captured here in warm, golden light, creating a peaceful and inviting scene. The way the light and shadows move across the landscape adds depth, while the macrocarpa trees provide a strong focal point. There's layer upon layer, with the distant forest softening into a gentle haze, giving me a real sense of space. The composition appears well-considered, with the fence lines subtly guiding my eye through the frame. The exposure and sharpness are well-handled, allowing the textures of the grass and trees to be appreciated. I think it's a beautifully composed and presented landscape. | Honours | |
| Summer Dry | These rolling hills sure look dry, and I like the many layers of hills going back to the horizon and sky. The image looks like it might be sharpest in the foreground while the rest is quite soft. A larger depth of field might have helped, as well as focussing on the middle distance. I also noticed quite a bit of noise in this image - both luminance and colour noise is present in the sky, which also appears to have a magenta colour caste to me. Modern noise reduction software can do a good job on that without eliminating much detail. While I think it could do with some improvements, the image captures the essence of a dry summer in the hills, and conveys a strong sense of place. | Accepted | |
| Tidal Surge | I can imagine the waves washing in and out from the right, with this image captured just at the point of highest surge for now. My eye naturally follows the edge of the water up to the bright backlit waves in the distance, with the sun shining in under a rather dramatic cloud feature. It's a pity for me that the bright areas by the shore and also in an offshore wave are overexposed with no detail. Sometimes such overexposure isn't obvious at the time from, for example, a histogram as it is quite a small area of the image that has been clipped at the high end. I do love that dramatic cloud and the rhythm of the waves, and the texture of the beach with sidelit stones. | Accepted | |
| Under the Mountain | What a glorious sight - with the warm, golden sunlight suffusing the scene and just lighting up the edges of some of the foreground hills. There's a beautiful contrast between that light and the background snow and sky. For me the isolated trees are the focal point, with just enough to be interesting but not too many to be cluttered,. I love the sharp detail of the small silhouetted objects (fenceposts? sheep? water tanks) on the two hilltops at bottom left. It's all sharp and well exposed and magnificent. | Honours | |
| Uplands | This high-country scene has a wonderful sense of wildness, with rugged terrain and striking vegetation leading towards distant mountain ranges. I think the golden hues of the speargrass contrast beautifully with the cooler blues of the background, creating a rich colour palette. Everything looks sharp and detailed. I really feel like I'm up there. | Merit | |
| Washed Up | The details and textures in this washed up tree contrast wonderfully with the smoothed out sea from long exposure, and the beautiful details in the foreground stones. My eye naturally starts at the two foreground large stones on the left, crosses the misty water, then follows the leading line up the diagonal of the tree, and down that branch to where there is the tiniest of exquisite gaps between the end of it and horizon and the end of the of distant headland. I think that's a masterpiece of thoughtful composotion. As a bonus, I fancy I see the shape of a dragon's head with its tongue out at top right. The exposure appears very well handled, with nice details in the shadows of the tree. Just glorious. | Honours | |
| West Coast Sea Stacks | The reflection in the wet sand helps to make these towering sea stacks feel even more imposing. The warm light on the cliffs highlights their rich textures and layers, drawing attention to the contrast between the sunlit rock and the shadowed areas. I suggest that the photographer try cropping from the bottom to nearer the base of the reflections, as I'm not sure the rest of the reflection is needed, and in my view this would make the sea stacks feel even more imposing. I also suggest reducing a highlights a little as the sea stacks are quite bright, and I think this would help reveal more of the interesting detail. I think the image is sharp, and well-framed with space to see between the stacks as well as on the left, and captures the grandeur of this coastal landscape beautifully. | Merit |
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