Dunedin teen stuns wildlife photographer of the year competition

Seventeen-year-old Sam McGee and his 15-year-old brother wowed the Tūhura Otago Museum judges with their submissions.

RNZ Life editors
3 min read
Sam McGee's photograph Water Wings, of a white-faced heron.
Caption:Sam McGee's photograph Water Wings, of a white-faced heron.Photo credit:Supplied / Sam McGee

Seventeen-year-old Sam McGee has been named Tūhura Otago Museum’s photographer of the year.

Water Wings, a picture of a white-faced heron in mid-motion, emerged as the winner among more than 4450 entries from around the world.

“This stunning image of the heron in its breeding plumage impressed us with its excellent composition and moody, almost monochromatic tones,” the judging panel said.

Sam McGee's photograph Lone Lion, of a sea lion.

Sam McGee's photograph Lone Lion, of a sea lion.

Supplied / Sam McGee

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“The patience in waiting for the heron to dip its beak into the water really paid off, the droplets add dynamic movement to the photo.”

Runner up for photographer of the year was Neale McLanachan for A balanced meal (juvenile male tomtit).

Neale McLanachan's photograph submission to Tūhura Otago Museum competition, A Balanced Meal.

Neale McLanachan's photograph submission A Balanced Meal.

Supplied / Neale McLanachan

As well as being the overall winner of the competition, Sam was placed first in the youth wildlife category and his Lone Lion submission also earned him a runner up spot.

Sam’s 15-year-old brother, Monty McGee, debuted at the competition with Pūteketeke Yoga – of a native crested grebe – and was also named a runner up in the wildlife youth category.

Monty McGee's photograph Pūteketeke Yoga, of a native crested grebe.

Monty McGee's photograph Pūteketeke Yoga, of a native crested grebe.

Supplied / Monty McGee

Exhibition manager and competition judge Shanaya Cunningham said the judging process was done anonymously, but the McGees' images stood out.

“Finding out it was Monty’s first time entering took us all by surprise due to the detail and expertise in his image.”

Roshan Dixon's photograph submission to the Tūhura Otago Museum competition, Sky Over The Sounds.

Roshan Dixon's photograph submission Sky Over The Sounds won the landscape category.

Supplied / Roshan Dixon

Marketing manager Charlie Buchan said the competition was growing every year.

“It’s a brilliant showcase of photographic talent and a celebration of nature from New Zealand’s wildlife capital.”

Conor Macfarlane's photograph submission to the Tūhura Otago Museum competition, Floral Flow.

Conor Macfarlane's photograph submission Floral Flow won the natural abstract category.

Supplied / Conor Macfarlane

An exhibition, Otago’s Lens on the Wild World, will showcase the best from the competition across four key categories: wildlife, landscape, botanical, and natural abstract.

It opens from 26 June until 12 October at Tūhura Otago Museum. Entry is free.

Cora Bedwell's botanical photograph submission to the Tūhura Otago Museum competition, Chinese Gentian Flowers.

Cora Bedwell's photograph submission Chinese Gentian Flowers won the botanical (adult) category.

Supplied / Cora Bedwell

Liam Townsend's photograph submission to the Tūhura Otago Museum competition, Ferns of Bream Head.

Liam Townsend's photograph submission Ferns of Bream Head won the botanical (youth) category.

Supplied / Liam Townsend

Giles Bryant's photograph submission to the Tūhura Otago Museum competition, Kekerengu Dolphins.

Giles Bryant's photograph submission Kekerengu Dolphins won the first-time entrant award.

Supplied / Giles Bryant

Tūhura Photography Competition winners

Tūhura Otago Museum photographer of the year

Sam McGee - Water Wings

Runner-up - Neale McLanachan - A Balanced Meal

Youth wildlife photography

Sam McGee - Water Wings

Runner up: Monty McGee - Pūteketeke Yoga

Botanical photography winners

Cora Bedwell - Chinese Gentian Flowers

Liam Townsend (Youth category) - Ferns of Bream Head

Landscape photography winner

Roshan Dixon - Sky Over The Sounds

Natural abstract photography winner

Conor Macfarlane - Floral Flow

First time entrant winner

Giles Bryant - Kekerengu Dolphins

Otago Daily Times' Choice

Jordan Turner - Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head

The OPERA's Choice

Luca Nikkel - Hierodoris frigida moth

Primary school entrant - The Breeze's Choice

Luca Nikkel - Green and golden bell frog

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