IHC’s nature pictures to be exhibited at Hastings Foto Fest

The judges had been Hawke’s Bay photographer Shayne Jeffares, Christchurch photographer Bridgit Anderson and 2024 First Place Winner Beren Hughes.

All mentioned they had been honoured to view and choose from such a robust assortment of entries.

Auckland-based Dan Zam’s {photograph} of a lone, New Zealand duck Whio, claimed first prize.

“This duck is just sitting there thinking, a reminder for everyone to chill out in your own space,” mentioned Zam.

Second place went to Connor Stokes from Auckland who sought inspiration from Muriwai Beach on Auckland’s west coast for his {photograph} The Sacred End of the Water.

Dean Coleman from Pukekohe took third place along with his picture of daylight via bushes referred to as A Quiet Moment.

The Youth Award winner was Aurora McCulloch from Darfield along with her work Taniwha Splash taken on the Rakaia Gorge River.

“Māori legend says a Taniwha lives in the river… Is this a splash from the Taniwha caught in my photo?”

The People’s Choice Award went to Wellington’s Regan Humphries along with his {photograph} Muscles shot upwards via a forest cover.

“Leaves, sun and trees, make me feel happy,” mentioned Humphries.

All of the highest 30 finalists from Capture the Moment will probably be exhibited at Foto Fest in Hastings from September 19 to October 2.