After recently announcing our top 3 winners of our ‘World Photography Day’ competition, we wanted to share the winning photographs, alongside the Rubber Monkey’s judges comments and a short interview with the winners.
A big thank you to Peak Design, Manfrotto, Lowepro, Joby, Syrp, Marumi and Tamron for sponsoring this year’s ‘World Photography Day’ competition.
You can view more of the amazing submissions on our Facebook page here.
FIRST PLACE
Dice Sales – Mt Balungao ‘An aerial photo of the surrounding towns and plains of Mt Balungao during sunrise in Villasis, my home town in the Philippines.’
“As I looked through the entries this one actually made me gasp. It taps into that primal sun-god sense of awe. With the light beams you’ve got a pyramid that draws the eye up, but the sun’s so bright you have to bow your head. Your gaze is held down there in the fog blanket with the little houses that are almost an afterthought.”
– Rubber Monkey’s Judges Comment
Why/ how did you get into Photography?
I started photography when I was in college with a borrowed point-and-shoot camera from my auntie. In 2012, I came here to New Zealand and immediately fell in love with this country. It’s her beautiful surrounding and views that made me pursue landscape photography.
Why did you choose this image to enter?
It’s one of my favourite photos from my last visit to my hometown in 2018. I lived for about 20 plus years in my hometown but I have never seen the sun rising magnificently over that mountain (Mt. Balungau). Thanks to technology and cameras nowadays, we can capture things from above and gives us a different perspective.
Is there a story behind this image? Was it planned/ spontaneous?
I wasn’t planning to shoot photos that morning. I was just going to take aerial b-rolls for a promotional video that I’m doing for our town festival but again, who can resist taking a photo of that beautiful sunrise and landscape.
What was the most challenging aspect when capturing this image?
I’d say being it the right place, right time. That’s Landscape Photography – sometimes you get “the image” and most of the time, you don’t.
If you had to describe your image in one word what would it be?
‘HOME.’
What camera gear did you use to capture this shot?
I used the DJI Mavic 2 Pro + PolarPro ND8/CPL Filter.
Make sure to check out Dice’s Instagram for more stunning images!
SECOND PLACE
Tung Bien – Lucid Dreams ‘Light painting concept with my sister at home using an optic fibre LED light.’
“I love the colours in this image! I’ve seen many different types of light painting before, but I feel like I haven’t seen it done in such an interesting way. The contrasting light strokes make a perfect veil that really embodies the title ‘Lucid Dream’. I felt this image fit the creative brief of capturing interesting light perfectly.”
– Rubber Monkey’s Judges Comment
Why/ how did you get into Photography?
I’ve always admired photography growing up and after seeing so many amazing captures from other creators I decided to chase my own dream and started my own photography journey 3 years ago. I mainly shoot creative portraitures, it’s a passion that I continue to enjoy each day which I hope will inspire more people to get out there and have fun capturing and sharing moments together.
Why did you choose this image to enter?
As I mainly shoot portraitures I just felt like this image gave the strongest feeling to the theme of “light.”
Is there a story behind this image? Was it planned/ spontaneous?
At the time I wasn’t too sure how I should use the optic fibre LEDs, I kept experimenting and brushed the fibres all over the place until the idea clicked and I reviewed the shots that I had taken and somehow thought it looked like a cool dream trail. I got my sister to lay down and ended up brushing the led from her face upward which led to this shot.
What was the most challenging aspect when capturing this image?
I found that getting the correct exposures was the trickest as there isn’t an incorrect setting when shooting light painting. It does take a bit of experimenting on the camera settings until you find the right one that works for you.
If you had to describe your image in one word what would it be?
‘Lucid.’
What camera gear did you use to capture this shot?
I used the Canon EOS R with a 24mm f1.4 ef mii.
Make sure to check out Tung’s Instagram for more stunning images!
THIRD PLACE
George Thomson – Silhouette
‘Lady caught in a slither of light.’
“I love how this image evokes classic ‘film noir’ qualities. The stark contrast of the slither of light against the black backdrop directs your full attention to the silhouetted women and creates an atmospheric narrative element to the image.”
– Rubber Monkey’s Judges Comment
Why/ how did you get into photography?
I first started playing with cameras in my early teens, borrowing my grandparent’s digital camera to take pictures at the park. Since then my love for photography has nothing but grown stronger and love being passionate about something that has much creative freedom. My personal style has evolved over the last few years and I’m at the point where I feel I am fully comfortable with my instant decisions when taking a photograph. I tend to focus on details, symmetry and lighting to compose a simple aesthetic.
Why did you choose this image to enter?
I chose to submit this image as it takes me back to a time when I would walk around Wellington city for hours studying the light and waiting for that perfect subject to walk into my scene. This was one of the first images I took that sparked my love for photographing silhouettes.
Is there a story behind this image? Was it planned/ spontaneous?
I spent a few weeks figuring out where the sun peeked through the tall buildings and where the sun was at different times. I patiently waited for about 30 mins for the perfect subject to walk past, settings ready, manual focus set and bam! Got it in one.
What was the most challenging aspect when capturing this image?
The most challenging aspect of this shot was that I knew the light wouldn’t be there for long and because of the time of year and the time of day, the streets were quieter because everyone was at work. I used to go shooting during the main lunch hours because there were more opportunities to snap a cool subject.
If you had to describe your image in one word what would it be?
I’d describe this image in one word as “Patience.”
Make sure to check out George’s Instagram for more stunning images!