Judge: Irene Callaghan APSNZ
Your best digital image
Submit your best images - new or previously submitted.
Trophy Topic - Digital - Colour
MCC Shot Of Year for the 2024/2025 club year. The results are presented as 3 places - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The 1st placed image is awarded the trophy. :
- Only one image can be submitted as long as it hasn't been previously submitted in any previous years' Shot Of The Year competitions. This is entrusted to you to ensure you keep within these guidelines.
Please submit one image under the SET subject. When submitted ot the judge, the image will not be graded.
The judge will be asked for results and a critique. Depending on the volume of images, this might be restricted to just critique. The results will not be included in the end-of-year totals for MCC certificates
Open
Set Subject
Shot of Year (SOY) Trophy competition 2026
DIGITAL OPEN.
Australasian Harrier:
A powerful, intimate study of a bird of prey. The piercing yellow eye anchors the frame and the crisp detail in the beak and facial feathers gives the image real presence. The soft green and gold background isolates the subject, letting the warm brown plumage read without distractions. Light is gentle and directional, shaping the head well, though a touch more separation on the shadowed side could add depth. ACCEPTANCE
Lunar Eclipse:
A clean, elegant astronomical sequence with strong visual flow. The diagonal progression from bright, full illumination to the deep eclipse reads intuitively. The spacing between each phase feels deliberate and a little more room could be allowed around the outside. The reddish tones add drama without overpowering the composition. The dark sky with scattered stars provides just enough contexts while keeping the focus on the moon’s changing form. MERIT
Edge of the bush, Tasmania:
A calm, spacious landscape with a pleasing interplay between open grassland and the vertical rhythm of the pale barked trees. The warm grasses in the foreground add texture and depth, while the distant forested hills give the image a gentle sense of recession. Light is soft and even, which suits the scene’s quiet character, though a touch more directional contrast could add definition to the tree trunks. This is a balanced, natural study with a relaxed, observational feel. ACCEPTANCE
Mother teaching Baby:
A joyful, high‑energy wildlife moment with excellent timing. The paired leap gives the image a natural rhythm, and the clean blue backdrop keeps attention squarely on the dolphins. Water droplets add sparkle and motion, while the spacing between the two animals feels balanced and intentional. Exposure is well expressed, preserving detail in the bodies without losing the brightness of the scene. Overall, a crisp, uplifting marine action shot that I find very appealing. HONOURS.
Surfing the green:
A vibrant, high impact surf image with excellent timing. The spray arcs dramatically from the board, giving the manoeuvre real energy, and the bright pink top pops cleanly against the deep blues and greens of the wave. The surfer’s stance is dynamic and well captured, and the exposure holds both the highlights in the spray and the texture in the wave. Framing is strong, though a touch more space ahead of the surfer would heighten the sense of drive. A crisp, confident and artistic action shot with originality, good colour and motion. HONOURS
Taking a bath:
A wonderfully energetic wildlife capture. The fluffed, wet feathers give the bird real character, and the explosion of droplets frozen mid air adds a sense of joy. Light reflecting off the water lifts the whole frame, creating sparkle without blowing out detail. The shallow depth of field keeps the focus tight on the action, though a touch more space around the spray would let the movement breathe. A spirited behavioural shot with excellent timing. ACCEPTANCE
Towards French Pass:
A serene, expansive coastal view with natural layering. The warm grasses in the foreground catch the light, giving the scene texture and depth, while the rolling hills lead the eye gently toward the calm blue water. The distant islands and darker mountains add scale and a sense of quiet distance. The light is soft and warm, enhancing the contours without harshness. The image is well‑balanced with a strong sense of place. MERIT
Sunset Pier:
A richly atmospheric coastal image with great colour layering. The gradient from deep purple to warm orange gives the sky real depth, and the lit lamp posts create a rhythmic line that pulls the viewer cleanly down the pier. Reflections in the water are beautifully handled, adding both texture and a sense of calm. The silhouetted buildings and trees anchor the horizon without distracting from the drama of the light. ACCEPTANCE
Archway Island:
Archway rock formation shows the clear strata lines, and the twin arches give the composition a natural focal point. The wet sand reflection adds elegance and helps lead the eye, while the soft, warm light gives the scene a gentle lift. Tonal balance is confident, with good separation between the darker mass of the rock and the lighter sky. A slightly stronger foreground anchor could enhance depth, but overall this is a clean, well crafted landscape. ACCEPTANCE.
Bee on Flax:
A crisp and engaging macro study with excellent detail. The bee is sharply rendered, especially the pollen laden legs and fine body hairs, and the soft green background isolates the subject beautifully. The moment of interaction with the flower gives the image life and purpose. Depth of field is well judged, though a touch more space around the bee’s head would ease the framing. A clean and well-executed nature close up. HONOURS
Cloudy Aurora:
A serene and atmospheric nightscape with strong symmetry. The still water doubles the star field, and the soft red violet glow on the horizon adds mood without overpowering the scene. The silhouetted hills give just enough structure to hold the composition together. Exposure is well judged, keeping the stars crisp while preserving the subtle cloud texture. A calm, elegant, and well-balanced aurora study. MERIT
Emergence:
A dynamic, well-timed action image with strong energy. The surfer is caught at a decisive moment, low and controlled inside the curl, and the water texture adds real immediacy. The colour contrast between the red top and the cool wave helps the subject stand out cleanly. Framing is solid, though a touch more space ahead of the surfer would enhance the sense of motion. ACCEPTANCE
Hi jinks in hi jinx:
A sharp, high energy motorsport image with excellent motion handling. The boat is crisply frozen against a well blurred background, giving a strong sense of speed and precision. The bold orange nose and graphics are clear, and the spray adds drama without overwhelming the frame. Composition is solid, though a touch more space ahead of the boat would enhance the feeling of forward drive. A polished action shot. ACCEPTANCE
Incarcerated:
A compelling, tension filled image built on contrast. The cracked, weathered surface with its rusted bolts provides a gritty, tactile frame, while the human eye behind the bars adds immediacy and emotional pull. Light falling across the face is well judged, giving just enough detail without breaking the mood. The composition is strong, though allowing a touch more breathing room around the opening could ease the visual pressure. A striking interplay of texture, decay, and human presence. MERIT
Mating Preying Mantis:
A beautifully detailed macro with strong visual impact. The mantis is sharply rendered, and the water droplets add both texture and a sense of delicacy, giving the image a fresh, almost sculptural quality. The soft background isolates the subject cleanly, letting the fine structures of the legs, wings, and antennae stand out. Framing is confident, though a touch more space above the antennae would ease the tension. A more natural background may be preferred however a mantis will use a concrete wall frequently to lay its eggs on. A well-executed close up. MERIT
The art of thirst:
A clean, punchy commercial style image with strong visual appeal. The condensation is beautifully rendered, giving the can a cold, tactile presence, and the bold colour blocks stand out crisply against the blue background. Focus and detail are excellent, with the droplets adding texture without clutter. The composition is straightforward and effective, though a touch more breathing room on the top edge would feel less constrained. A vibrant product shot. HONOURS
The golden harvester:
A gentle, well observed macro with lovely colour harmony. The warm tones of the bee sit against the cool lavender, and the soft background blur keeps the focus exactly where it needs to be. Detail on the wings and thorax is crisp without feeling clinical, and the moment of contact with the flower gives the image a natural sense of purpose. Framing is balanced, though a touch more room on the right would ease the visual flow. ACCEPTANCE
Walking the wire:
A striking minimalist macro built on contrast and texture. The rusty barbed wire provides a gritty, linear frame, while the tiny beetle adds a delicate point of life and scale. The shallow depth of field is well judged, letting the wire’s corrosion and the beetle’s form stand out cleanly against the soft green background. Composition is steady, though shifting the beetle slightly more off centre could add a touch more visual tension. MERIT
Watchful:
A grounded, quietly observational image with strong textural presence. The rough stone backdrop provides a cohesive visual field, letting the three figures stand out through posture, clothing, and gesture rather than tonal contrast. Their differing garments, modern, patterned, and wrapped, create a subtle narrative tension and a pleasing rhythm across the frame. The composition feels stable, though shifting the group slightly off centre could introduce a touch more dynamism. A calm, human centered moment held together by texture and understated storytelling. MERIT
Winter Rose:
A gentle, elegant floral close up with nicely handled colour transitions. The petals’ soft gradients and the warm, blurred background create a painterly feel that suits the subject well. Detail in the stamens is crisp without breaking the overall softness, and the inclusion of the bud adds a pleasing secondary point of interest. Framing is balanced, though a touch more space on the right would let the bloom breathe. ACCEPTANCE
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