Portrait Photo Wins Top Award in Bay of Plenty Student Photo Exhibition

20 October 2011

Mount Maunganui College student Abbey McCorry-Pratt has won the top prize in the Student Photo Competition run as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival.

Abbey won the portrait (15-18 years) category of the contest and Judge John Borren said her image was the stand-out entry to take the top award.

“It is well composed and Abbey has used light really well. Many professionals would be happy to say that was their picture.”

Abbey was named top overall winner at the Student Photo Exhibition opening in the Baycourt Foyer last night.

Her award came as a surprise. “It’s pretty exciting for me and my model. I’m quite proud of myself. I didn’t think I’d have the photography skills to win.”

Abbey wins a South Island tour with New Zealand Educational Tours to the value of $2000, a World Press Photo Exhibition catalogue, a day work experience at the Bay of Plenty Times and a cash prize of $100.

Other winners in the competition were:

Nature (10-14 years): Alexandra Fleming 1^st; Katie Webber 2^nd; James Lellman 3^rd. Merit awards: Alexandra Fleming, Clay Dixon, Nicola Tapper and James Lellman

Nature (15-18 years): Rebekah Richard 1^st; Joel Dixon 2^nd & 3^rd. Merit awards: Laura Backhouse, Lucy Lim, Rebekah Richards and Zac Dempsey

Portrait (10-14 years): Rachel Waddingham 1^st & 2^nd; James Lellman 3^rd

Portrait (15-18 years): Abbey McCorry-Pratt 1^st; Kali de Wild 2^nd; Ashley Cochrane 3^rd

Contemporary Issues (10-14 years): James Lellman 1^st

Contemporary Issues (15-18 years): Katie Gillard 1^st; Laura Liddy 2^nd; Stephanie Pierce 3^rd

Arts and Entertainment (15-18 years): Kassie Symes 1^st & 3^rd; Stephanie Pierce 2^nd

Sport (10-14 years): James Lellman 1^st; Nicola Tapper 2^nd

Sport (15-18 years): Joel Dixon 1^st

All category winners receive $100, second placegetters receive $50 and third placegetters receive $25.

Tauranga Arts Festival director Greg Latham said the competition attracted 118 entries across five categories in two age bands – 10-14 years and 15-18 years. “We held the contest to showcase the talent of young photographers in the Bay of Plenty and to encourage students to pick up a camera and show us the world through their lens.

“We’re very pleased with the high standard of entries received. We’ve ended up with a brilliant selection of images taken by local young people.”