Hunter Smith's photo of wilding pines, near Twizel. Mt Cook-based Department of Conservation ranger Hunter Smith describes his win at the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year awards as "absolutely unreal". His photograph of contrasting wilding pines, taken by drone near Ohau A power station, won the aerial photograph category, which was last year won by Emma Willetts, of Oamaru. Mr Smith would love to become a full-time photographer, but he was aware portraiture was where most photographers managed to make their living. Mr Smith entered his picture of the contrasting pines into the NZ Geo competition, because he thought it fitted with entries he had seen in the past.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 27, 2021 16:14 UTC