NZ Photographer of the Year 2023 finalists capture colour and soul through the lens

11 Sep 2023

Choosing favourites is a hard job when it comes to the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year Awards, and with over 8,000 entries this year it was clear just how much talent and creativity the photographers brought to the competition.

Among the many categories, one casts a bright spotlight on architecture – the Resene Built Environment category. Check out the finalists below that are up for winning the award in this area.

“The past 12 months have seen New Zealand open to the world, our lives open to each other’s, and then the weather cave in upon us,” says NZ Geographic publisher James Frankham. “Photographers have revelled in newfound freedoms, and submitted some 8,000 entries into Photographer of the Year 2023.”

From Hawke’s Bay floods to ice climbers, bushfires and mating harvestman spiders, 68 finalists are now on display in Britomart, downtown Auckland for two months. Alternatively visit the website to see the finalists and vote on your favourites: https://www.nzgeo.com/photography/photographer-of-the-year-2023-finalists/

Stay tuned for Award Night updates!

Resene Built Environment finalists:

This captivating image of a foggy morning in Auckland was taken from the slopes of Mangawhau/Mount Eden by Phil Irons.

From the Skyline Walkway, photographer Brock Kilburn had a clear view over the Wellington suburbs of Ngaio and Wilton, each home representing a different life and story.

Photographer Erin Jacob was fascinated by the interior form of a giant sculpture titled Jacob’s Ladder by Gerry Judah. This is one of many artworks at Gibbs Farm Sculpture Park north of Auckland.

George Heard was reporting for the New Zealand Herald on towns cut off by landslips and damaged bridges north of Gisborne when he captured this photo of forestry slash washed downstream after Cyclone Gabrielle that came to a stop when crashing into a farming crop.

This close up of an art piece, Matarau by Lonnie Hutchinson, on the side of the Christchurch Justice Precinct reveals special textures and shapes. “As I am colour blind, I always enjoy shooting black and white to utilise tones instead of colour,” says the photographer Samuel Gamble.

See the finalists on display in Britomart, downtown Auckland, or visit the website to see the Resene Built Environment finalists and vote on your favourites: https://www.nzgeo.com/photography/photographer-of-the-year-2023-finalists/

Published: 11 Sep 2023