The Macular Disease Foundation Australia is calling for entries into the fourth annual mEYE World Photographic Competition and is asking all Australians to submit a photograph that captures the theme: “a sight worth saving”.
Macular disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia. Macular disease includes diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration, and can rob sight from the very young right through to older Australians.
This year’s competition boasts a high profile judging panel including media identity and Patron of the Macular Disease Foundation Australia Ita Buttrose AO, OBE, iconic Australian artist Ken Done, internationally recognised photographer Rex Dupain and one of Australia’s longest serving news photographers, Alan Pryke. The competition provides an opportunity for enthusiasts and budding photographers to showcase their talent while raising awareness of macular disease and supporting the Foundation in its pursuit to save sight.
Macular Disease Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Julie Heraghty, is encouraging all Australians to participate in this years’ competition. “This is an exciting project of the Foundation’s to raise awareness of macular disease and eye health. We want Australians to use photography to capture the theme ‘a sight worth saving’. Vision is a precious sense and we can all help to save sight by spreading the word about the importance of having an eye test and macula check. This is a fun and exciting way to help ensure we can all see a future,” she said.
1. Open category winner and Grand Finalist – Denis Fitzgerald, Golden Square, Victoria
Denis said, “Her mother’s eyes. I was watching my daughter listening intently to a story being told by her boyfriend sitting opposite. The look I saw in her eyes was one of beauty, of feeling and one that only a parent knows. It was the realization that my baby girl is all grown up. How blessed am I to see this.”
Denis Fitzgerald from Victoria was Grand Finalist and winner of the open category for the mEYE World Photographic Competition 2013 with a stunning black and white portrait of his daughter. In a fleeting moment Denis was able to capture the shot of his daughter listening intently to a story being told by her boyfriend. Denis says of the moment he took the photo “The look I saw in her eyes was one of beauty, of feeling, and one that only a parent knows. It was a realisation that my baby girl is all grown up”. A sight so many would say is well worth saving.
Though Denis has been taking photos for as long as he can remember, he never imagined he was capable of winning a national competition. However his ability to depict a moment in time, a precious feeling and a private story within the frame captured the imagination and commendation of the judges.
Competition details:
In 2014 the competition runs from 2 September to 12 November.
Winners will be announced on 9 December.
The four categories for the competition are:
- Open – general public
- Macular disease community
- Healthcare professional
- Junior – under 18 years.
Entries must be submitted online and in conjunction with 30 – 60 words that explain how the entrant’s photograph shows ’a sight worth saving’. Entries will be judged on their creativity, composition, content and technique.
For entry details, visit www.meyephotocomp.com.au
Main photo
Healthcare professionals category winner – Chris Barry, Sorrento, Western Australia
Chris said, “This beautiful world around us contains many magnificent sights. The mechanism of seeing seems so fragile and delicate compared to the vastness of the world around us. Let us hope that soon we can all retain maximum vision into our twilight years so that nature can continue to be enjoyed by us all.”
