Canon NZ EYEcon competition recognises future stars

Leilani Hatch has been named the winner of the inaugural Canon EYEcon photographic competition with a portfolio the judges described as captivating and exceptional.

Leilani, a photography student from the Universal College of Learning will be awarded a prize pack unlike any other. The combination of cash, Canon products and a full day on location with each of the four mentors makes it the most substantial prize for a competition at this level.

Leading New Zealand photographers Patrick Reynolds, Norrie Montgomery, Brendon O’Hagan and Tony Drayton judged the competition and form the line up of mentors Leilani will gain industry experience with.

Leilani said she is thrilled to win the competition and cannot wait to choose her new Canon products but undoubtedly the highlight will be the time she will spend with these amazing photographers.

“I feel extremely privileged to be given this rare opportunity to experience the photography industry alongside four of New Zealand’s best photographers. I am very excited about the prospect of pursuing my passion and meeting some great people along the way,” says Leilani.

The judges said the six images (four of the Leilani's six entries shown above) Leilani submitted were a perfect balance of originality, creativity and photographic technique. “Leilani’s work conveys sensitivity, the control over the medium show impeccable skill and the consistent mood and tone is elegant,” Rochelle Mora, Brand Manager - Imaging, Consumer Activities at Canon New Zealand said Canon is thrilled with the outcome of the inaugural EYEcon photographic competition which reached tertiary photographic students and apprentice photographers across the country.

"The response was outstanding and the calibre of the final portfolios showcased the incredible talent and creativity of our future stars in the photographic industry."

“We are excited to be able to offer this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Leilani. We wanted a concept that would give the winner an experience that will shape their career. This competition encourages our up-and-coming talent to explore what and who inspires them as a photographer,” says Rochelle.

The runner up place was awarded to Kevin Bone, currently a second year student also studying photography at the Universal College of Learning. The judges said Kevin’s work was a “stunning collection of exhibition quality work and certainly a photographer to watch out for.”

As winner of EYEcon 2009 Leilani Hatch receives:

• $5,000.00 Canon dollars to spend on any Canon Digital SLR, lenses, Canon printer and/or Canon photo paper and inks. (RRP incl GST, received directly from Canon New Zealand Ltd)
• $1,000.00 cash
• A day each with four of the country’s prominent photographers (flights and accommodation included)
• AO Large format print of their own image of choice
• NZIPP membership for one year
• 2009 EYEcon Award and judges comments

As runner-up Kevin Bone receives:

• $2,000.00 Canon dollars to spend on any Canon Digital SLR, lenses, Canon printer and/or Canon photo paper and inks. (RRP incl GST, received directly from Canon New Zealand Ltd)
• NZIPP membership for one year

Organisation / Institute of first place Photographer receives:

• $2,000.00 Canon dollars to spend on any Canon Digital SLR, lenses, Canon printer and/or Canon photo paper and inks. (RRP incl GST, received directly from Canon New Zealand Ltd)