N3TC Photography Competition 2022: Outcome of my images summitted

The N3TC launched a photography competition late last year. The rules of the competition indicated that any photos that were taken in KZN, Mpumalanga, Free state and Gauteng can be entered – preferably close to the N3 highway. I thought about some pictures I taken in that vicinity some years ago and decided to enter the competition.

Let’s have a look at the outcome of the four images that I’ve entered for this competition: 

I was quite surprised to receive an e-mail telling me that the following image of mine has won the competition:

wildlife-1-winnerDownload

The Vultures and the Jackal
Giant’s Castle, South Africa
(Nikon D700, 1/1600 sec, f8, ISO1000, 600mm)

The following image of mine was also the runner up in this competition:

wildlife-2-runnerupDownload

How about a kiss
Giant’s Castle, South Africa
(Nikon D3S, 1/4000 sec, f5.6, ISO500, 600mm)

And this image received a merit award in the competition:

wildlife-3-meritDownload

Southern bald ibis flying
Giant’s Castle, South Africa
(Nikon D3S, 1/6400 sec, f5.6, ISO800, 850mm)

The other image that I’ve entered was:

Raven attacking vulture
Giant’s Castle, South Africa
(Nikon D4, 1/4000 sec, 8, ISO1000, 600mm)
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As part of the entry process, they provided us with a list of organisations and you had to select one of the mentioned organisations that you would like to benefit should one of your photos win a price. As a result, I’ve identified Birdlife SA as my organisation. Therefore, they would now receive a substantial amount of money as a result of the outcome of my entries.

Message to take home:

As you’ve seen from my photos, three of the four photos were taken at the very familiar Giants Castle in the Drakensberg and the other one the Golden Gate National Park.  Photographers are sometimes not keen on going to places where many other photographers been and where unique images are very difficult to be captured. Photographers are usually concerned about the originality of their photos. They are worried about how over-photographed the world and wildlife at that specific area/point seems. Furthermore, they are worried that they won’t have anything unique to show and to contribute going to such places. Also because they thought many photographers captured so many photos in that area in the past and that it’s all been done before. I think it is wrong. Nature and wildlife are never the same and by finding specific sightings to photograph, you’re capturing the unique moment in time to show people what the areas and sighting look like at that specific point in time. 

Until next time – keep on shooting and go place!!!