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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 photograph submission Chinese Gentian Flowers won the botanical (adult) category.
Supplied / Cora Bedwell
Liam Townsend's photograph submission Ferns of Bream Head won the botanical (youth) category.
Supplied / Liam Townsend
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