2025 Selectors
Gail StentFPSNZ
I started photography while still at school during the “film” days. While developing and printing my own black and white photos I lent towards a more creative approach to photography. When we entered into the world of digital cameras, I discovered Photoshop which opened my world. I began to improve my photography skills and combined my own images in my digital darkroom, creating images as a form of art and not necessarily just to capture the moment. I have been with the North Shore Photographic Society and PSNZ since about 2006 and was awarded my Fellowship Honours with PSNZ in 2019. During my time with PSNZ I have been on the North Shore Salon Committee for a number of years and am now currently on the PSNZ Honours Board. I have won awards in both local and International photographic competitions and am particularly proud of the success I have achieved in the Creative Focus Salons, as well as winning the Champion Image in the 2021 Nelson National Triptych Salon. I have always enjoyed the storytelling nature of the Triptych Salon and wish everybody well in this 2025 Salon. In order to “give back” to photography in NZ, I became an accredited AV Judge in 2017. I also started club judging in 2018 and became an accredited PSNZ Photography Judge in 2022. My Audio-Visual journey began in 2011. Since then, I have been successful with my work in National and International AV competitions. I have been invited to judge the Tauranga AV Salon, Challenge 321 International Salon, and AV Makers South Africa International AV Salon. Over the years, I have enjoyed collating bodies of work under a theme for both local and international exhibitions. I find it’s a great way to improve one’s skills. I currently teach photography and photographic postproduction (Lightroom and Photoshop) workshops privately as well as with New Zealand Photography Workshops. I find great pleasure in sharing the knowledge that I have gained in photography over the years. |
Markham MailAPSNZ, AFIAP
& Catharina Mail
Markham Mail APSNZ AFIAP I became an enthusiastic photographer when I was awarded an AFS scholarship to the USA and purchased an Agfa Silette with a hand held lightmeter. On return I bought a Pentax Spotmatic SLR, working as a cinecameraman for NZBC until Camera House came calling. Thus began a 45 year sales, management and ownership career in retail photographics. I joined PSNZ in 1970, the New Plymouth Camera Club and the Auckland and Christchurch Photographic Societies as I was transferred every few years. During this time, I had a darkroom and mastered mono and colour printing, gaining my LRPS and APSNZ, winning the Maadi Cup, the HS James Landscape Trophy and the Trans-Tasman print competition. I also became a busy PSNZ panel judge. Then work intervened for the next 35 years, although Catharina and I travelled extensively. On retirement, I rejoined NPPC, learned Photoshop and began entering competitions again, working for my AFIAP during Covid. Many of the international awards have been from composite images, which along with triptychs, I have encouraged our club members to explore. Catharina Mail My photographic journey began with my first employment at Ron Woolf Studios (Spencer Digby Studios) in Wellington. Under their tutelage I was privileged to be part of Ron and Inge Woolf’s professionalism and learnt the art of wedding photography, university graduation ceremonies and studio portraiture. The processing of negatives and photos was a large part of the business. Negative retouching, spotting and hand colouring are no longer practiced due to the magic of post processing in photoshop. I enjoy capturing a moment in time and my aim is to produce photos in camera. I have had successes with my photography at national level including NATEX, Creative Focus, North Shore and the Nelson National Triptych Salon. |
Bruce Burgess FPSNZ
I developed my first black & White film at the age of 12 which led to a lifetime passion for the medium of photography, culminating in numerous competition medals over the years, including in the field of audio visuals. Being a Fellow of the Photographic Society of New Zealand, I served on the PSNZ Honours Board for 8 years, with my last 2 years acting as chairman of the board (but now retired from the board). I joined the Henderson Photographic Society (Inc) in 1989; served as the club’s President from 1996-98 and am currently Patron of the club and a life member. After decades of operating my own business in the finance world, I am now retired and have time to enjoy some freelance photography in the field of landscape, travel plus photojournalism and people photography. In 1997, I had my eyes opened to the world of creative photography after attending a 7-day course “The Use of the Right Side of the Brain in Photography” by inspirational Canadian Photographer Freeman Paterson. In 2006, I was invited by the Chinese Photographers Association to join a team of 8 international photographers to capture the traditions and people in two Chinese provinces. In March 2019, I was invited to travel to Adelaide be one of 3 judges for the Adelaide International Audio-Visual Festival, which had 149 entries from 34 countries. In November 2020, I was one of 3 judges from England and Belgium to judge the South Africa AV International competition and in May 2022, I was one of 3 to judge the 2022 Adelaide Audio Visual Competition. Over a span of over 30 years, I have also judged in many national competitions in NZ plus at most of Auckland Photographic clubs. I have recently completed my 33rd self published travel book using Blurb.com software from USA. I feel that is better to own beautiful, printed coffee table style books showcasing my images, as opposed to storing them on many obsolete hard drives! I have a philosophy in photography to adopt a personal style that portrays an artistic vision which not only communicates but is also emotionally powerful. And, it must be fun! |
