The theme for our November photo competition was 'texture', a brief that's not so easy to represent in a two-dimensional medium like photography. But, as always, you rose to the challenge and there was no shortage of interesting shots vying for a place on the shortlist.
Our judge this month was regular Australian Photographer + digital writer Anthony McKee, who this year was named AIPP Documentary Photographer of the Year. Here's what he had to say about the November entries:
"In this latest competition, photographers used a variety of techniques to good effect to reveal a variety of textures and, in all honesty, a lot of images were in contention for the major prize.
"But, for me, one image stood out, conveying a sensitivity to the subject and also summing up the theme 'texture' beautifully. Dianne Galbraith's 'Textural' makes you feel like you want to reach out and touch the fine dandelion hairs. Part of the image's success is it's very simple design and well executed capture. From the cool centre of this dandelion seed head we move out through the rough tawny stems and on to the fine white structure that is light enough to catch the wind. It is a simple image, yet it draws you in and holds your attention – like all successful images.
"For first runner up, I chose Jimmy Samson's image 'Palm of His Hand'. From the soft fur on this primate's arm and fingers to the pronounced groves of its palm prints, this image screams texture.
"Second runner-up goes to 'Unfinished' by Libby Holmsen. I love the strong sense of design in this image, combined with the metal surfaces and their juxtaposition to the unfinished render on the wall. Good work everyone!"
Thank you to everyone who entered and congtratulations to Dianne Galbraith who has won a Spyder4PRO courtesy of Kayell Australia, valued at $240.
There's just one more photo competition for 2014. The theme for our December competition is The Beach. Due to the upcoming Christmas/New Year's break, entries close earlier than usual, on 18 December 2014.
About the Judge Anthony McKee is a Melbourne-based photographer and writer who began his career in New Zealand in the late 1980s. McKee's area of expertise is social documentary photography for which he was recently recognised when he was named AIPP 2014 Australian Documentary Photographer of the Year award. He has also won awards for his landscape photography. He has judged professional and amateur photography awards on both sides of the Tasman and in 2013 was made an Honorary Fellow of the NZIPP for his services to photography. www.anthonymckee.com.au
WINNER: 'Textural,' by Dianne Galbraith.
FIRST RUNNER UP:'Palm of His Hand,' by Jimmy Samson.
