This year’s competition not only attracted the sponsorship of global camera manufacturers Nikon as leading sponsors, but also a record number of entries.
Because of the ‘once in a lifetime’ Aurora on May 11th, the deadline for submissions was extended and a new Aurora category was added. This was opened up to entrants from across New Zealand and we received over 150 amazing Aurora shots from as far North as Auckland.
Over 320 images were entered. This is what Nikon New Zealand representative, and competition judge Dakota Brown had to say about this year’s competition:
The quality of the entries for this year’s competition was outstanding. Every participant who submitted an image should be very proud. I believe Tom Rae’s entries were truly exceptional; any of his images could have easily won a prize. The winning image achieved a perfect balance in all the aspects I appreciate in a great astro image. The composition of the foreground was as beautiful as the striking mid-ground mountain range, all complemented by the incredible night sky. The way the image was processed to reveal plenty of detail in the darker shadow areas without being overpowering or appearing artificial was delicately executed.
I believe there has never been a better time to enjoy the art of astrophotography. The recent advancements in camera technology have been remarkable, allowing us to capture more of the night sky than ever before. The best part is that this technology is becoming more accessible at a lower price point, enabling more people to experience it.
Winterstellar’s initiative to protect our dark skies is so important. We have one of the best locations in the world to witness this, and it just doesn’t make sense to lose those views when it can be so easily prevented.
Dakota Brown, Nikon New Zealand
See all the other winners and the winning images here: Winterstellar Astrophotography Competition 2024
