Photo comp winner: happy niece on park swing just a fluke

Alexie Haynes taken at One Tree Point, by her uncle. Photo / Kevin Haynes

An afternoon spent at the park has earned Kevin Haynes a new camera, as the winner of this year's Herald Holiday Picture Competition.

Thousands of people entered the competition, which saw a large range of photos - from family snaps at the beach to scenic shots - received.

Mr Haynes' photo of a delighted Alexie Haynes, his niece, playing on a swing at One Tree Point in Whangarei was voted the grand winner.

The judges said the slightly blurred pohutukawa trees in the background gave a sense of movement and fun.

He wins a Canon digital camera worth almost $3000.

Mr Haynes, of Pukekohe, said yesterday he was over the moon after being told that his photo had won first prize.

"That's awesome. So awesome. I can't believe it."

He and his wife had visited family in Whangarei over the holidays and the photo of Alexie was taken while they enjoyed time out at a nearby park.

"It was just a fluke that it came out like that," he said laughing.

"I've been reading about how to take photos and now I'm getting a new camera, I've got to carry on [taking pictures] now."

Hamish Mathieson from Mt Maunganui receives second prize for his photo of friend Keith Redman and his dog Tammy catching a wave at Manu Bay, Raglan.

The judges said Mr Mathieson's photo was well composed and exposed well, and showed off a unique surfing experience.

"I was just taking pictures of some friends on the other side and Keith kept coming around with the dog.

"When they came around again I thought I'd take a photo. It was quite fun and when I saw the photo competition I thought of that photo straight away."

Mr Mathieson also wins a Canon digital camera, valued at $1399.

The third prize goes to Aaron Radford, of Hamilton, for his scenic shot taken at Ruapuke.

Mr Radford made most of the beautiful scenery around him, the judges said, and his photo was well composed and balanced.

He receives a Canon printer worth just over $500.

Vicki Ostler, of Tauranga, wins fourth place and receives a Canon printer worth $200 for her photo of Stephen Lellman on Lake Rotoiti.

The judges said the composition - complete with the skier silhouetted by the fading sun - was excellent.