When it comes to Macular Degeneration, early detection saves sight. And was our rallying cry for Macular Degeneration Awareness Week 2020.
As part of our activity to highlight the importance of monitoring our eye health, we ran a photography competition to find New Zealand's most beautiful views, as a poignant reminder of what those suffering from macular degeneration stand to lose. We received over 500 brilliant entries from photographers across New Zealand, and these were shortlisted by our panel of expert judges, landscape photographer Rach Stewart, actress and TV presenter Shavaughn Ruakere and nutritionist Claire Turnbull.
For our judges, macular degeneration is a cause that is very important to them, as they all have a close relative that suffers from the condition. The shortlist was then put to a public vote - and we are delighted to share the winners, as well as the rest of the top ten.
Hover over each image to see how the same view might look to someone who has macular degeneration.
Thank-you to our sponsors Essilor, who rewarded each of the three winners with a free eye test, frames and lenses.
1st – Hooker Lake
by Darren Patterson
“The photo “Hooker Lake” was taken on another road trip that we did after the first lockdown and is at the end of the Hooker Valley Track which is a short 10km return walk. The lake freezes over in the winter and when we were there people were walking across it. This photo is taken near the terminal river so the lake isn’t completely frozen but you can see the build-up of icebergs in the distance. The mountain in the distance is Mount Cook.”
2nd – Pouakai Tarns
by Delwyn Barnett
“Her daughter Lacey, who entered the competition on her behalf, says, "My husband invited mum up to the Pouakai Tarns in Taranaki for a hike and an overnight stay in the hut. At sunset she was busy taking photos and my husband asked her to take a photo of us, then he dropped to one knee and mum got the shot of the proposal just before the clouds rolled in!”
3rd – Riwaka Resurgence
by Aniell Esposito
“The source of the Riwaka River can be found at the base of the Takaka Hill in this beautiful area of the Kahurangi National Park. Crystal clear cold water pours up from an underground marble cave system, a beautifully green damp forest, silken rapids, moss-covered water-worn rocks and clear tranquil pools create a fairyland for the photographer.”
Lake Poaka
by Charlene Koen
“In the depths of winter and after the craziness of shooting a busy sunrise with friends, this was my calm moment. Mid morning, a time to relax and enjoy what was right in front of me.”
Another Glorious Start
by Len Jingco
“Another glorious start to the day at New Brighton Pier. 1st day of August 2020, it was chilly early Saturday morning when I took the New Brighton Pier photo. It was worth enduring the bitter cold for a reward of an amazing sight.”
Rainbow Mountain
by Dee Hockly
“I live just out of Hawera on the coast. We have the mountain out our lounge window on one side of the house and the Tasman sea on the other side of the house. The picture was taken in November 2018.”
Sunset at Huka
by Laura Smith
“After seeing so many beautiful long exposure shots of Huka Falls and long exposures being one of my favourite types of photography to do I had to go and capture a shot myself! To date it is one of my favourite shots I’ve taken.”
A Drive to Aoraki
by Louise Edebone
“This photo was taken on my holiday to South Island with a girlfriend in November 2019. We had been enjoying 30 degree days around the lakes, we couldn’t believe it could be 30 degrees whilst looking at snow-capped mountains behind Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo.”
Moody Days
by Phillip Gow
“A lot of people I was with were disappointed about the weather when I was at Milford Sound. But I think it matched the mood perfectly. In fact, the worse the weather, the better this place looks in my opinion. Jagged sharp peaks towering into mist and mystery. It shows that New Zealand isn't just beautiful during the golden hour on a sunny reflective day, it can be beautiful (and even calming) on much moodier days too.”
Looking Back
by Darren Patterson
“The photo “Looking Back” is of my two boys at the jetty on Lake Rotoiti by St Arnaud in the South Island. It’s from a road trip that we took a year ago and it’s one of my favourite places in NZ. It’s winter and I think the wet pier and clouds really capture the coldness of that day.”
You might have seen our billboards in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
Thank-you to Smart Display for their free placement of our digiscreens in their ‘Out of Home’ residential display network.
Pic Picot opens up about his macular degeneration
It’s the leading cause of blindness in New Zealand but if someone said "macular degeneration", would you know what they were talking about?
One in seven aged over 50 and a quarter of those in their 80s currently suffer from the condition and it is getting worse - but it’s preventable, and there’s easy ways to keep an eye on your own health when it comes to sight.
Macular Degeneration New Zealand ambassador and Pic’s Peanut Butter founder Pic Picot spoke to The AM Show.
Watch the video here