Lenses capture the nature’s essence

Amalshan Gunerathne

Capturing the essence of nature is not a piece of cake. It requires a lot of patience as well as skilled observation

Many stood in sheer fascination as the winning and commended entries of the Yala Village-Etisalat Nature Photographer 2010 photography competition was put on view at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery recently. Works of both professionals and amateurs who are still at the junior level were recognized, commended and awarded by the competition.

The awards for the winners were given on the same evening based on three major categories which included animal behaviour, wildlife and scenic places and birds in action.

Besides there was also an MMS album competition where Etisalat customers were given the chance to participate in the competition using the Multi Media Massaging Services.

Chameera Jayasekara won the first place of animal behavior category for his photograph of a speeding leopard. The leopard speeding in the fading light was a very striking snap captured with such precise expertise and meticulous timing. The streak on the still areas were suggestive of pan and shoot technique. Quick reflexes were needed to drop the shutter at a speed of 1/8 of a second with his 300 mm camera to capture the scene of speeding leopard and he was highly commended for capturing such a tricky moment using an extremely difficult technique.

W M Gayan Pushpakumara won the first place of wildlife and scenic places category at the senior level.

His photo captured the spectacular scene of a rainforest. The photo was truly arresting with a mesmerizing scene of a flowing stream captured in a misty background. The image was indicative of the photographer, while deep in water precariously trying to balance his equipment on a tripod which indicated the expertise and delicacy he had to show in capturing the stunning scene.

Speaking to Artscope Gayan said: “Though I always had the passion to engage in the art of photography since I was very little, it is only after I got my first digital camera in 2005 that I really began to focus myself on professional photography.” Speaking of what the award really means to him Gayan said: “I was highly commended for my work in John Keels Wild Life photographer competition in 2006 and went on to win the first place at the Soba 2008 photographer competition. This award means lot to me, as this is probably the best competition we have for local photographers.”

Grand award of ‘Nature Photographer of the Year’ went to Dr Gamini Katriarchchi. He also went on to win the first place of birds in action category. It again was a truly mind-blowing image captured with such delicate timing. Catching moments of birds in action is by no means an easy task. Great setting almost depicts a painting and the background setting augments the subject.

The movement of birds in motion fills the image with vibrant life and energy, thus making it a masterpiece of an image. The competition was also keen on identifying budding, raw talent and everyone was spellbound by the talent and flair shown by young photographers.

The first place of wildlife and scenic places category at the junior level was won by Rashmi D S Wijerathne while Kasun Pandirathne walked away as the winner of birds in action category. Siobhan Manuelpillai was named as the winner in the category of wildlife and scenic places category.

..................................

<< Artscope Main Page