Eugene Yeo has won the 2020 Otago Bulletin Board Photo Competition with a stunning image taken on a canyoning adventure.
The winning image in this year's Otago Bulletin Board Photo Competition was taken with more than a small element of risk.
Eugene Yeo, a Client Services Administrator for the University Library, took the photo during a canyoning trip in the mountains between Wanaka and the West Coast.
“Basically, we hiked up into the bush wearing harnesses over wetsuits, then dropped into a canyon where there's no escape until it flushes you back out into the Haast river,” he says. “I took this particular shot from the top of the highest abseil in this canyon, roughly a 40m waterfall, hanging off a wet slightly-less-inclined-than-vertical “ledge” (the left triangular slab of rock pictured), secured only by a 12mm sling attached to a bolt in the rock.
"I took this particular shot from the top of the highest abseil in this canyon ... secured only by a 12mm sling attached to a bolt in the rock."
“It may be hard to notice at first, but the height of this drop is truly accentuated by the one orange and two white dots at the bottom of the canyon, which are the helmet tops of my fellow team mates who have successfully negotiated the rappel.”
The photo was a clear winner for this year's competition judges, who chose it from among a record 222 entries from staff and postgraduates across the University's campuses.
Guest judge, the University's new Photographer Dave Bull, describes it as a visually striking image which draws the viewer in.
“My eye is drawn to the contrasting yellow helmet of the abseiler at the end of their green rope and then to the dramatic waterfall and river running through the centre of the picture to a waiting participant on the left,” he says. “The plunging rock faces and their cracks add patterns and leading lines downwards giving a dizzying sense of height. The colourful greens of the rock mosses frame the image nicely. It would have been a difficult place to take a picture from and takes you right into the action with them. Well done.”
Second place went to Physiotherapy PhD candidate Hui Xiao, for a photo taken on Chinese New Year's eve at the Chinese Garden, while Communications Advisory Manager Fiona Clarkson came third for her photo taken in the Albany Street recording studios.
"The selected photos show a good eye for a different angle, telling a story and allowing the viewers to linger on the image, to work it out and fill in the rest of the story themselves."
Eugene says winning the competition is “incredibly encouraging”, and reassures him that other people “share his excitement and appreciation for these amazing places”.
“Photography to me is simply a tool that fills the gaps in my memories of the times I spend on road trips, whether climbing mountains or descending into caves, and just doing the things I love with the important people in my life.
“Photos capture a certain level of detail that my fallible mind cannot retain; they help me better remember and tangibly immortalise the important things I've done, whether the day after returning from a trip or when I'm 85 and my memory is failing me.”
Dave Bull says the standard of the photos was very high, and that choosing the winners was challenging.
“The selected photos show a good eye for a different angle, telling a story and allowing the viewers to linger on the image, to work it out and fill in the rest of the story themselves.”
The winning photos will once again be displayed in the University's Staff Club, and be turned into the 2021 Otago Bulletin Board digital calendar. Of course, the exhibition is on hold until New Zealand emerges from the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown.
As something a little different this year, we are also giving you a glimpse of some of the photos which almost made the top 12. Take a look at the end of this story for our Editor's Picks.
2020 Bulletin Board Photo Competition winners and notable entries
First place: Eugene Yeo, Client Services Administrator, Library
Photo: Eugene Yeo
“This photo was taken on a canyoning trip in the mountains between Wanaka and the West Coast. Basically, we hiked up into the bush wearing harnesses over wetsuits, then dropped into a canyon where there's no escape until it flushes you back out into the Haast river. I took this particular shot from the top of the highest abseil in this canyon, roughly a 40m waterfall, hanging off a wet slightly-less-inclined-than-vertical “ledge” (the left triangular slab of rock pictured), secured only by a 12mm sling attached to a bolt in the rock. It may be hard to notice at first, but the height of this drop is truly accentuated by the one orange and two white dots at the bottom of the canyon, which are the helmet tops of my fellow team mates who have successfully negotiated the rappel.
“Photography to me is simply a tool that fills the gaps in my memories of the times I spend on road trips, whether climbing mountains or descending into caves, and just doing the things I love with the important people in my life. Photos capture a certain level of detail that my fallible mind cannot retain; they help me better remember and tangibly immortalise the important things I've done, whether the day after returning from a trip or when I'm 85 and my memory is failing me. ”
Second place: Hui Xiao, PhD candidate, Physiotherapy
Photo: Hui Xiao
“The photo was taken on Chinese New Year's eve at the Chinese Garden 2019. I was with a couple of friends doing a free tour, and the Garden offers a calligraphy writing as a gift to each visitor to celebrate the festival. The photo was captured using my iPhone when I was queuing, you know, waiting anxiously and excitedly and trying to peep at the secret inside, identifying the handwriting through the glass window.
“I do have a passion for photography. Most of the photos I take are not a fabulous scenic view using a fancy camera. I am more into recording my life as I like the feeling when I am browsing albums I know exactly what I was doing at a certain period. Reviewing the photos can refresh me and remind me of favourite memories.”
Third place: Fiona Clarkson, Manager, Communications Advisory Services
Photo: Fiona Clarkson
“This is my eldest son, who was placed in a national secondary school song-writing competition and, as a prize, was able to record in the Albany St music studios at the end of 2019. His was probably one of the last community recordings made there before it shut its doors for the new studio. He's a big Beatles fan and the Albany St studios were modelled after the famous Abbey Rd studios in England where the Beatles recorded, so he wore his favourite shirt. He was doing a sound check before recording the bass-line when I took this shot, which was on my iPhone 11.
“I'm very much an amateur. We own a DSLR which I play with when on holiday but most of my pics are on my iPhone and occasionally I fluke a good one.”
Dr Lee Adam, Lecturer, Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry
Photo: Lee Adam
“I participate in a weekly photography challenge, and a recent weekly theme was “Hand in frame”. I had the idea of photographing a hand holding a cellphone being used to photograph a landscape. I tried several locations, and quickly realised that the landscape image had to have a strong foreground element. These old, disintegrating piles at St Clair beach proved to be the perfect foreground. On the evening I took the shot (of my own hand holding my cellphone) I was blessed with a gorgeous sunset that gives the shot its “wow” factor.
“I am a keen (some would say obsessed) hobby photographer. My interest in photography began when I saw photos of the Aurora Australis on Twitter, and I purchased a second hand DSLR to try and capture it myself. After teaching myself to take long exposure astro photographs, I realised that I didn't know how to photograph in normal daylight conditions, so I set about learning. I have been practising both low light and daylight photography for the last four years, and I take any opportunity I can to learn new techniques and skills. Getting outdoors with my camera is my “happy place”.”
Julio Gavilanes-Valle, PhD candidate, Tourism
Photo: Julio Gavilanes-Valle
“The photo was taken in a visit to San Francisco, in Tenderloin a neighborhood of this Californian city. The quarter is close to the very famous Union Square and the city center; however, not many tourists visit the area. Nonetheless, due to its proximity to the central business district some buildings have transformed their rooftops into restaurants, cafes or pubs, where it is possible to enjoy nice views of the city skyline and get some fresh air in cozy places.
“I started to study photography when I was in college as an undergraduate student in Ecuador my home country; however, my interest in photography started years before when I was still in high school. That is why, when I was a teenager, I asked my family to give me a camera as a birthday present. Years later, I switched from cameras to digital photography taken with smart phones. I am particularly interested in urban landscapes and natural environment images. I personally believe that it is not about the camera I use to take a picture; but, how my eyes see the world.”
David Steer, Administrator - SITS, Applications Support, ITS
Photo: David Steer
“I got lucky one morning taking photos near Macraes Flat. I was there to photograph something else, I was down wind so had time to take a few shots before the young deer headed off.
“Photography is just a hobby that gets out of hand sometimes. My wife carries a kindle with her if I take my camera, that way there isn't an issue if I find something to photograph. There are so many different subjects/genres/themes/styles/techniques that when I get bored I try another one. ”
Manon Knapen, Scientific Officer, Health Sciences Division Administration
Photo: Manon Knapen
“I took that photo on my first trip to Milford Sound. As it was my first trip there I decided to drive (I now use the shuttle!) and we got stuck behind the sheep for a while. The ultimate Kiwi experience! It was a stunning winter day (June), the cold weather and low sun made for that beautiful picture.
“My interest in photography started when I came to New Zealand in 2012, mainly because I wanted to share my experience with my family and friends and I kept taking pictures since.”
Lee Adam, Lecturer, Oral Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry
Photo: Lee Adam
“Photographing Aurora Australis gives me such a buzz. I am constantly looking out for dark-sky locations with a clear view south so that when Lady Aurora dances I can capture her with my camera. We are currently in a solar minimum, and Auroras are few and far between. However, on September 1, 2019, after sunset, I headed out to Waipori with my husband and 13-year old. We set up our cameras, and much to our delight the Aurora was so bright it was visible to the naked eye. Despite the howling wind and the below freezing temperatures, we were literally whooping for joy.
“I am a keen (some would say obsessed) hobby photographer. My interest in photography began when I saw photos of the Aurora Australis on Twitter, and I purchased a second hand DSLR to try and capture it myself. After teaching myself to take long exposure astro photographs, I realised that I didn't know how to photograph in normal daylight conditions, so I set about learning. I have been practising both low light and daylight photography for the last four years, and I take any opportunity I can to learn new techniques and skills. Getting outdoors with my camera is my “happy place”.”
Chavi Uduwaka, Research Assistant, Medicine, University of Otago Wellington
Photo: Chavi Uduwaka
“I took this photo from my phone during my travels in Italy. It was a quick trip, and sadly I knew I wouldn't have time to see everything, notably the Ponte Vecchio. I was at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and decided to take a quick break after hours of walking. I noticed a small window near where I was resting, which to my surprise was overlooking the Ponte Vecchio, something I thought I wouldn't get a chance to see! I quickly took a snap, and used this opportunity to practise some lighting skills.
“I have always loved taking photos, especially during my travels so I can share with my friends and family. Though I am an amateur photographer, this particular trip motivated me to invest in a good DSLR camera and continue my passion for capturing special moments.”
Amber Hannah, Specialist Technologist, Hercus Taieri Resource Unit
Photo: Amber Hannah
“My family and I were privileged to be visited by this Southern royal albatross and white-capped albatross while fishing for kahawai just off Taiaroa Head. The Southern royal was very curious and bold, coming within 1 metre of our boat while the white-capped albatross lurked further back.
“Capturing moments like this is what I love about photography and it's great motivation to get out amongst nature. I am very much an amateur photographer and admit to only using my camera on auto! Fortunately I manage to get the occasional lucky shot like this one and this keeps me clicking.”
Fiona McDonald, Events Specialist, External Engagement Division
Photo: Fiona McDonald
“I took this photograph on my phone while on my walk into work in late February. I was literally stopped in my tracks by this little snail, which was crossing the footpath near my home. I thought it looked like it was painting road markings for a snail highway. There is extraordinary beauty in our everyday lives and we often fail to see it, so I'm delighted that I didn't accidentally step on it, and was able to record this moment.
“I've been taking photographs for around eight years now. I'm mostly self-taught, but I received some formal training when I did my GradDipDesign (Communication) at Otago Polytechnic in 2015. I primarily focus on nature and architecture in my photography.”
David Steer, Administrator - SITS, Applications Support, ITS
Photo: David Steer
“This is the Auckland Gallery, the long corridor caught my eye. The work running the length of the left side is Godwit/Kuaka by Ralph Hotere.
“Photography is just a hobby that gets out of hand sometimes. My wife carries a kindle with her if I take my camera, that way there isn't an issue if I find something to photograph. There are so many different subjects/genres/themes/styles/techniques that when I get bored I try another one.”
Editor's Picks
Photo: Philip Hill
Photo: Sharon Lequex
Photo: Natasha Graham
Photo: Joanna Livingston
Photo: Raelene Inglis
Photo: Christian Macfarlane
Photo: Marco Brenna
Photo: Shyronn Smardon
Photo: Lee Adam
Photo: David Steer
Photo: Marama Gravett
Photo: Tulipa Briggs
Photo: Shyronn Smardon
Photo: Wei Hong Lo
Photo: Sarah Baird
Photo: Joanna Livingston
Photo: Raelene Inglis
Photo: Judith Ball
Photo: Fiona McDonald
