Flood of entries for photography contest

Judging the Otago Museum Photography Competition yesterday are (from left) Shanaya Cunningham, of the Otago Museum; Izumi Schmidt Uchida, wildlife photographer; Nick Beedle, photographer; Paul Le Comte, photographer; Max Quinn photographer, director and cameraman; Janis McCarthy, of Pickled Possum Productions, and Craig McKenzie, wildlife photographer. This photograph was taken by Otago Daily Times photographer Christine O’Connor, who was also a competition judge.

Museum marketing co-ordinator Charlie Buchan, who helped organise the photography event, said the contest, previously named the Otago Wildlife Photography Competition, had attracted 1600 entries last year.

That had more than doubled to 4055 this year, ‘‘by far the highest’’ of any year in the contest’s 22-year history.

Adding to the pressure on judges was the high quality of the entries.

The judges had said they were ‘‘incredibly impressed’’ with the standard, and they had found it harder than usual to decide on shortlists before the overall judging was completed yesterday morning, Mr Buchan said.

The museum had contributed to the increase in entries by holding some workshops in which keen photographers had been taken out to the Orokonui Ecosanctuary.

Further photography had also taken place on the Monarch vessel in Otago Harbour, Mr Buchan said.

The main winners will be announced June 26.

All entries will then be displayed in the museum’s Beautiful Science gallery until September 17.

john.gibb@odt.co.nz