Image: Craig McKenzie
Otago Museum’s 19th annual Otago Wildlife Photography Competition draws to a close this month, with entries closing at midday on Friday 23 February 2018.
Amateur photographers and videographers from around Otago are encouraged to enter their best Plant, Animal, Pets, Night Skies or Human Impact on the Environment shots, or videos of Wildlife in Action. They will be in to win great prizes and the chance to feature in the Museum’s 2018 Otago Wildlife Photography Exhibition.
With the support of Jonathan’s Photo Warehouse, Canon, and the Otago Daily Times, the annual competition continues to give the region’s amateurs a stage for their talents, serving as a reminder of the natural beauty on offer all around us.
The overall photography winner will receive a Canon EOS 750D Super Kit, worth over $1700, with the individual photography category winners and highly commended entries being awarded vouchers from Jonathan’s Photo Warehouse. The video category winner will receive a GoPro camera.
Each year the Museum offers associated programmes and events supporting the Otago Wildlife Photography Competition. On the evening of Tuesday 13 February, two free expert talks will be taking place in the Hutton Theatre. The first is Photography 101 at 5.30pm, featuring Canon experts from around New Zealand. There will be an opportunity for those attending to ask questions.
Following this on the same evening is The Art of Invertebrate Macrophotography at 6.40pm. Bryce McQuillan, self-taught specialist in wildlife and macrophotography, has travelled to many remote New Zealand locations sourcing images for A Photographic Guide to Spiders of New Zealand. He leads 'bug walks' – photographic workshops and night tours looking at our unique invertebrates, helping members of the public explore an area and get hands-on with a dedicated macro lens.
With support from Canon New Zealand, Bryce will share his experience in invertebrate macrophotography and give tips on capturing the smallest of species on camera.
Otago Museum Director, Dr Ian Griffin, is looking forward to seeing another exhibition of quality photos from Otago’s talented photographers. It’s not a surprise to many that Ian’s excitement stems from the Night Skies category. “Given my own passion for taking photos of the night sky, I’m always excited to see what other people can present. The Otago Wildlife Photography Competition brings out the best of our local photographers and videographers” says Griffin.
For those who haven’t yet entered, the entry form, specifications, and terms and conditions can be found on the Otago Museum website at www.otagomuseum.nz/owpc.
Winning and highly commended photographs will be chosen by a panel of expert judges and announced on Saturday 24 March at the prize-giving and exhibition opening. The free exhibition will be open to the public on Sunday 25 March and will run through to Sunday 15 July 2018.
For more information please contact:
Charlotte Neilson
Marketing Manager - Otago Museum
[email protected]
03 479 3279
021 775 298