June 2026 Photo Contest Winners: The Intersection of Nature and Technology

[Rob Wood (Admin)]

We’re happy to announce the winners of June’s competition, “The intersection of nature and technology!”

This one was an opportunity to really get your eye for juxtaposition working and there were a few really interesting photos that I enjoyed. We try to keep these themes open to interpretation, and the entrants very rarely disappoint!

When choosing the winning photos, we wanted to make sure that the decision process was based on a good interpretation of the theme, followed by other factors like light, composition, story, details, creative vision, etc. The results are entirely subjective and there are no losers in any competition as we all know.

Here are June’s winners!

First Place: Heat on the Move by Anne Hornsby 

I think this photograph nailed it for several reasons. The first thing that struck me was the strong mechanical approach to composition. This one has stark leading lines pointing straight to that centre of interest. And of course the second thing is what the hell is this thing? I’ve never seen anything like it so it kind of got points for being so unique in terms of subject selection. Thirdly, it perfectly matches the theme. We have all come to expect a lot from Anne’s photography and she didn’t disappoint with this one.

Second Place: Tub Mill by John Dailey 

This one was a little trickier. If I’m honest, it’s the composition that really drew me into this photo but it’s not perfect which was quite compelling for this particular subject matter. The obvious framing really pulls you into that rail object and this kind of a natural vignette that draws you towards it. The old mill itself is a seriously interesting visual element as you try to figure out what you’re looking at. And the visual elements draw straight towards that. I obviously wasn’t the only one because this one managed to pick up the people’s choice award as well.

Third Place: Wind Turbines by Tersha 

Tersha is a master of these kinds of shots and lives in an area of the world where she seems to be able to get them at will. Another iron clad example of strong composition really carries this photo and of course it is the perfect example of the theme for the competition. Well done on this one.

Our monthly photo contests also come with a People’s Choice Award. The winner of this part of the contest receives $100 worth of store credit on Light Stalking which they can spend as they please on our blueprints, drills, courses or Presets etc.

I won’t include them here but there were a couple of crackers from Wendy P also!

People’s Choice – Tub Mill by John Dailey

I can’t say too much extra about this one other than that it is compelling for reasons that I can’t quite put my finger on in addition to the ones I could above. Well done, John and welcome to the community.

I’ll be writing this one up for the main blog as well.

 

[John Dailey]

Congratulations Anne and Diane! As a “new kid” here, I am honored and extra humbled to be amongst this month’s winners. I’m so glad I found Light Stalking. You folks are great!

[John Dailey]

FYI… This shot is looking “out the window” towards the sluiceway of the Alfred Reagan Tub Mill in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The millstone itself is located on a lower level and rotated horizontally. It was designed to meet the needs of only few families. It is now over 125 years old. Shot on Kodachrome 25 in the mid 1980’s.

[Wendy P]

Congratulations everyone. Some very thoughtful captures!

[Rob Wood (Admin)]

You put one or two in there that caught the eye too, @wendyp

[Stephen Thackeray]

Congratulations everyone 👏

[Retired Grunt]

Hooah, Congrats to all!!

[Anne Hornsby]

Thanks, Rob, and congrats to everyone!!   My image is taken in rural Iceland of a hydrothermal plant. (I love taking infrastructure images.)      Mrs. Google tells me: the sprawling above-ground pipelines are designed to efficiently transport boiling geothermal water across vast volcanic terrain to cities while allowing the metal to safely expand and contract with changing temperatures.

[Pat Garrett]

Congratulations to everyone. Judging must be challenging. Each winner is uniquely different showing the variety of interpretations.

[Rob Wood (Admin)]

.  I don’t think I’ve ever agreed with a photo competition judge, ever. That’s what makes it so interesting. People have different perspectives and expectations and I find the whole thing quite enjoyable. 🙂

[Stefanie Markham]

Congratulations everyone!

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