013 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.”

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.”

Category winners

Open category winner and Grand Finalist – 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

Posted: 4 November 2013