2013 mEYE World Winners
Macular Disease Foundation Australia today announced the winners of the prestigious 2013 mEYE World Photographic Competition. The judges were renowned Australian photographer Ken Duncan and Australian of the Year 2013 Ita Buttrose. The winning entries were required to show their appreciation of the gift of vision and according to Ken Duncan “this year’s winners captured the very spirit of the person, place or object at a given moment in time.”
An initiative of the Macular Disease Foundation Australia, and with the support of the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA), the mEYE World Photographic Competition is designed to raise awareness of macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in Australia.
“For me, photography is the art of seeing, capturing and presenting images to others,” said Ken Duncan. “The entries in the mEYE World Photographic Competition this year were diverse in subject displaying technical photographic ability within their categories and presenting balanced compositions. I truly believe the entrants appreciate their vision!” he said.
The entries received were inspiring and came from those learning about the disease, health professionals and those living with vision loss and blindness. Grand finalist and open category winner Denis Fitzgerald, from Golden Square Victoria, reflected on a personal moment captured in a stunning black and white image of his daughter.
Denis says of his photo, “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 realisation that my baby girl is all grown up. How blessed am I to see this.”
Category winners are:
- Open (General Public) – Denis Fitzgerald, Golden Square VIC
- Healthcare Professionals – Chris Barry, Sorrento WA
- Macular Disease Community – M Honeybun, Perth WA
- Junior (Under 18) – Josh Nicol, Ruby VIC
Macular Disease Foundation Australia Chief Executive Officer, Julie Heraghty said, “through the use of photography and the engagement of so many talented Australians we have a powerful means to illustrate the appreciation of the gift of vision.”
A special thank you to all prize donors who contributed to the fantastic prize packs.
Open category winner and Grand Finalist - Denis Fitzgerald, Golden Square VIC
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."
Macular Disease Community category winner – M Honeybun, Perth WA
M Honeybun said, "Spot the Cabbage White Butterfly - an insect attracted to Everlastings. Whilst caring for my mother with macular degeneration I became finely tuned into her world of (lack of) vision. This image would be a blur to mum and makes me appreciate what I see on a daily basis."
Healthcare Professionals category winner - Chris Barry, Sorrento WA
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."
Junior (under 18) category winner - Josh Nicol, Ruby VIC
Josh said, "This photo represents the beauty of life and of our incredible environment around us. The places I visit are what makes me appreciate the gift and importance of vision. Missing out on beautiful places such as this because of impaired vision is not fair and is something worth investing in."
Runners up of the mEYE World Photographic Competition 2013 by category
Open (General Public) category:
Kelvin Ball, Claremont TAS – 1st Runner Up
Brian Luckins, Balarang NSW – 2nd Runner Up
Macular Disease Community category:
Walter Phelps, Fairfield Heights NSW – 1st Runner Up
Seleina Wilson, Caboolture QLD – 2nd Runner Up
Healthcare Professionals category:
Ingrid Douglas, Cairns QLD – 1st Runner Up
Chris Barry, Sorrento WA – 2nd Runner Up
Junior (Under 18) category:
Mikayla McCubben, Kingscliff NSW – 1st Runner Up
Charmoni Martin-Cogger, Calista WA – 2nd Runner Up
4 November 2013