The winning image in the Hawke's Bay Today Harvey Norman Hastings Canon NZ Summer Photo Competition. Photo / Amy Knight
The winning image in the Hawke's Bay Today Harvey Norman Hastings Canon NZ Summer Photo Competition. Photo / Amy Knight
A stunning sunrise, rolling hills, and a joyful dog in motion.
These were the winning elements that set one photograph apart in this year’s Hawke’s Bay Today Harvey Norman Hastings Canon NZ summer photo competition.
Hastings woman Amy Knight has spent years enjoying the region’s outdoors, and captured the moment during an early morning hike with her 4-year-old dog, Frankie.
“I’ve been going up to Te Mata Peak most of my life, and every sunrise is different. It’s just breathtaking,” she said.
Knight always takes photos of Frankie in that spot.
“She likes rolling down the hill. So, I have many photos of her on her back, with her legs up in the air.”
When Knight snapped the winner’s picture that morning, she wasn’t aware of the contest.
Amy Knight shows off her award-winning summer photograph featuring her fox terrier, Frankie, dancing in the iconic rising Hawke’s Bay sun. Photo / Rafaella Melo
“I saw the competition on the day the entries were closing, so I looked at my camera roll and found Frankie’s photo which I’d already taken that very morning, and thought the image was the perfect submission,” she said.
When Knight received a call from Hawke’s Bay Today saying her photo was the winner, she was on her way to work.
“It was definitely a great start to my day,” she said.
The annual competition received 600 entries from across the region, showcasing Hawke’s Bay landscapes, family moments, and the Bay’s vacation-mode lifestyle.
For the judging team, it was not an easy decision to choose from so many great snaps.
Second place - happy children and dogs on an evening walk through the paddocks. Photo / Adam Turner
Adam Turner won the second place with a picture from an evening walk with his two sons and dogs through the paddocks.
Third went to Kristen McGregor for her photo featuring their children Piper and Reef checking out a kina their dad got while diving in Mahia.
Third place - Piper and her brother Reef checking out a kina their dad got while diving in Mahia. Photo / Kristen McGregor
Local photographer Brad Wyatt, who judged the entries with HBT editor Chris Hyde, said the winning image perfectly captured the essence of summer in the region.
“It had everything we were looking for. It had to be in Hawke’s Bay, it had to be fun, and the dog was clearly having fun,” Wyatt said.
“Hawke’s Bay is known for its sunrises. The picture stood out because it embodied the spirit of the competition.”
Photographer and competition judge Brad Wyatt (left), Nick Perreaux from Harvey Norman, winner Amy Knight, and Caitlyn Jonasen from Canon. Photo / Rafaella Melo
Knight’s prize includes her photo printed onto canvas, a lifetime Harvey Norman VIP printing membership, a Canon EOS R50 camera with a wide-angle lens, and a 128GB SD card courtesy of Canon NZ and Harvey Norman.
Harvey Norman Hastings operations manager Nick Perreaux said the company had a long-standing association with the competition.
“We’ve been involved for about 10 years now. It’s all about encouraging people to get out, enjoy the community, and capture the beauty of Hawke’s Bay,” he said.
Looking ahead, Knight plans to use her new camera to continue snapping shots of her outdoor adventures.
As for Frankie, she’s getting some “well-deserved treats,” Knight said.
Hawke’s Bay Today thanks Canon NZ and Harvey Norman Hastings for their continued support and encouragement in helping our readers capture beautiful memories.
