Dianne English has won Australian Photography + digital magazine's ’Summer’ photo competition with a dramatic photo of young swimmers enjoying the thrills of Sydney’s Bronte Ocean Baths during a large swell.
“The kids would hang onto the rope then leap into the baths in delight as the big waves approached,” recalled English. “Positioning myself on the steps leading down to the pool, I was able to shoot from above and capture the fun and impact!”
Judge Robert Keeley described the picture as a great action shot: "Taken at just the critical moment – arguably Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” – this image is full of drama, action, and faces with varying degrees of excitement and trepidation," said Keeley. "It captures precisely the fun you can have when you’re a kid at the beach. We loved it!"
English has won an Epson Stylus Photo R2000 valued at $1099 courtesy of Epson Australia. Two other photographers were highly commended in the monthly competition, Anika Warren-Smith and Eleanor Knie.
The monthly Your Best Shot photo competition is open to subscribers of Australian Photography + digital magazine and members of the Australian Photographic Society (APS). To see the judge's comments and a selection of the best images from the competition check the February 2014 issue of Australian Photography + digital, available in newsstands, via subscription and on iPad.
Winner: 'Children' by Dianne English. Nikon D90, 18-200mm lens @ 50mm, 1/1000s @ f/7.1, ISO 200. Image processed in CS5 where exposure, contrast and dodge were adjusted.
Commended: 'Splash Bubble' by Eleanor Knie. Canon EOS 550D, 18 -200mm lens @ 130mm, 1/500s @ f/8, ISO100.
Commended: 'Faster, Daddy!' by Ánika Warren-Smith. iPhone 4S, Hipstamatic App, Lucifer VI and BlacKeys B+W film effect. Cropping and brightening.
