Dani Watson, Summer Ritual (SOFT LIGHT - Entries close 31 May 2026)

Captured during the final light of the evening, this image documents a spontaneous moment unfolding along the coastline as swimmers and paddleboarders gathered around a navigation marker at dusk. The soft pastel sky and calm water created a minimal backdrop, allowing the suspended figure to become a quiet focal point within the frame. The composition was intentionally simplified to emphasise gesture, balance, and atmosphere, while the surrounding negative space reinforced the feeling of openness often associated with Australian summers. Rather than directing the scene, the image was created observationally, waiting for movement and interaction to naturally align within the composition. Captured using a Hasselblad X2D 100C with an XCD 135 lens at 135mm. Settings: 1/125 sec, f/4.8, ISO 800. The image was handheld to allow flexibility while tracking movement in changing light conditions. Editing was completed in Adobe Lightroom with minor tonal adjustments, colour balancing, and subtle refinement to preserve the softness and mood of the evening light.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.