Mighty River Power photographic competition looks set to unearth more talented photographers in the future after the completion of a successful inaugural event.
More than 200 people entered the Mighty River Power 2002 Photographic Competition, which was open to secondary and tertiary students, and non-professional photographers across four themes: landscape, documentary, portraiture and contemporary.
The winning entries were announced last night at the competition awards evening. Tauhara College's Daniel Short was the overall winner of the secondary section with his Lake Taupo landscape, while WINTEC's Penny Bloxam was the overall Tertiary winner with her portrait study. Morrinsville's Vanessa Cruse won the non-professional section.
Entrants were asked to submit photographs that explored aspects of the Waikato-Taupo region or its people, and were aligned within one of the four themes.
Mighty River Power Corporate Affairs Manager Mike Stanley says the competition was designed to capture a region that Mighty River Power is closely associated with.
"We were seeking a representation of the landscapes and people of the Waikato and Taupo region, and many photographers have managed to capture the essence of the region in their images."
"This year's entries have really set the benchmark in terms of standards and images.
"As a company, Mighty River Power values talent and strives for excellence. This competition aims to encourage these values in the wider community."
Winning entries will be exhibited at venues around the region early next year, including Centre Place at Hamilton from January 20 to February 8, The Great Lakes Centre in Taupo from February 9 to February 20, and Arts Post in Hamilton from April 19 to May 9.
Photographers Natalie Robertson and Patrick Reynolds, Waikato Museum curator John Hurrell, and Waikato Times photo editor Peter Drury judged this year's entries.
The winners from this year's competition are:
Secondary
Overall Winner: Daniel Short
Portraiture:
Winner - Daniel Short
Runner-up - Lise Rajewicz
Landscape:
Winner - Daniel Short
Runner-up - Gareth Hayman
Tertiary
Overall Winner: Penny Bloxam
Portraiture:
Winner - Penny Bloxam
Runner-up - Emily Mafile'o
Documentary:
Winner - Penny Bloxam
Runner-up - Amanda Sorrensen
Contemporary:
Winner - Natasha Hyde
Landscape:
Winner - Rebecca Bruning
Runner-up - Alexia Eteveneaux
Non-professional
Overall Winner: Vanessa Cruse
Portraiture:
Winner - Karisma Vala
Runner-up - Des Brough
Documentary:
Winner - Fergus Campbell
Runner-up - Brendon Mathews
Contemporary:
Winner - Wendy Clothier
Landscape:
Winner - Vanessa Cruse
Runner-up - Nick Bradford
Judge's Award
Warwick Pryce