Exhibition
Major prizewinners
People's Choice Award
About the competition
Judging criteria and panel
Important information
Exhibition
Snapped: Melbourne in a moment exhibition at East Melbourne Library
All shortlisted and winning entries from our biennial amateur photography competition, Snapped, are now on display upstairs at East Melbourne Library. Drop in and be inspired by the work of our talented entrants.
When: Monday 14 January to Thursday 28 February
Where: East Melbourne Library, level 1
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Major prizewinners
Congratulations to all of our prizewinners in the Snapped: Melbourne in a moment photo competition. The winners were announced at the Awards Ceremony on Thursday 6 December, 2012.
Check out the winning entries below, or drop into East Melbourne Library any time until Thursday 28 February 2013 to see the judges’ shortlisted and winning entries on display.
You can still view the longlist and see who won the People's Choice Award on our Facebook page.
We’d like to thank everyone who entered Snapped in 2012. We were overwhelmed by the response and were amazed at the high standard of entries. We might see you in our next Snapped competition in 2014!
Under 18 category
1st place, Under 18 category
The 67 William Gibney
Young romance on a St Kilda Road tram approaching Finders Street Station. Are they about to part?
The elements that stood out for the judges were:
- The composition including iconic Melbourne and a personal moment.
- The ability to capture exterior and interior lighting.
- A beautiful secretive intimate moment.
2nd place, Under 18 category
When two worlds collide Liam Hartley
Colourful Melbourne street art perfectly framing a chef focused on his pastry.
The elements that stood out for the judges were:
- The simple but effective framing.
- The amalgamation of what Melbourne is famous for – street art and culinary delights.
3rd place, Under 18 category
That road to everywhere Joe Blakeney
Low afternoon light transforms a flat ugly industrial neighbourhood - just for a moment.
The elements that stood out for the judges were:
- The use of late afternoon light and the effect it gives to the urban environment.
- The industrial approach as opposed to the busy urban hustle and bustle.
Over 18 category
1st place, Over 18 category
Tramlife James Dee
Each face, starkly drawn, a study in concentration and personal preoccupation. No eye contact. Sharing only their personal space and the tram ride home.
The elements that stood out for the judges were:
- The study of concentration in the subjects.
- The clever crowded composition
- The braveness of the photographer to take a candid well composed image in such close proximity to their subjects.
2nd place, Over 18 category
Ritual Patience Mark Forbes
One hanging bare bulb. Two people, each in their own world, turned away from one another. One working, one waiting, slightly anxious.
The elements that stood out for the judges were:
- The inclusion of people and their indifference to each other.
- The simplicity of the composition and the loneliness of the subject detail.
- The use of lightness and darkness in monochrome to draw the eye to the subjects without the distraction of colour.
3rd place, Over 18 category
Emergence Bernard Peasley
Angled concrete, curved blue-stone foundations, strong shadows, strong afternoon light. A woman, in silhouette, caught mid-step, perfectly mirrors the angles and curves.
The elements that stood out for the judges were:
- The use of strong angular curves and geometric shapes.
- The simplicity of subject matter.
- The use of lightness and darkness.
Judge's comments
The individual judge's long- and short- lists were not at all unanimous, reflecting the high standard of entries overall and the breadth of subject matter, composition, quality and appeal.
The images which eventually made it to the shortlist had elements of drama, edginess or unanswered questions which were often best brought out in black and white rather than colour.
Strong angular framing lines helped make a number of the pictures, as did morning or afternoon light.
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People’s Choice Award
Throughout November, we invited you to view the longlisted entries on our Facebook page and vote for your favourites by 'liking' them. The photo in each category with the most ‘likes’ at the competition close won a $50 Readings voucher for its creator.
And the winners are:
Under 18 category
"Flight of Fantasy"
Sand sculptures, Waterfront City, Docklands, 2010
Over 18 category
"Day's End"
Flinders Street Station, Elizabeth Street entrance, Melbourne, 2012
Congratulations to the photographers, who have each won a $50 Readings voucher.
You can view all of the People's Choice Award contenders on our Facebook page:
Under 18 category - view here
Over 18 category - view here
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Entries for Snapped: Melbourne in a moment closed 1 October.
About the competition
Are you fascinated by the fleeting things that make our city unique? Many moments build on Melbourne’s history and character.
Our Snapped: Melbourne in a moment photography competition gave amateur photographers the chance to capture that moment in time in a photo and win up to $1000.
Prizes were awarded in two categories: under 18 years of age and over 18 years of age. Each category was awarded a first ($1000), second ($500) and third ($250) prize.
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Entries for Snapped: Melbourne in a moment closed 1 October.
Important information
Terms and conditions 
(PDF 17kb)
Entry requirements (PDF 13kb)
City of Melbourne boundaries map (PDF 410kb)
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Judging Criteria
Consideration in judging was given to the following points:
- Relevance to the theme
- Artistic merit
- Technical merit
- Originality / creativity
- Is it a good photo?
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Judging panel
Carla Gottgens
Carla Gottgens is a professional photographer and artist. Her photographic work takes her all over Australia from mine pits to wheat fields and from international theatre artists to Prime Ministers. Her work has been featured in local and international publications for marketing, advertising and breaking news stories. Carla completed a Master of Arts by Research in 2009 with a 6 year photographic documentary following the lives of 12 Melbourne girls and their transition from teenager to adulthood. Her fine art work is exhibited nationally and overseas and incorporates photography, illustration and sculpture.
www.cgphotography.com.au
Matt Irwin
Over the last 20 years, Matt Irwin’s photographs of Melbourne have gathered a dedicated following. Matt uses the language of photography to convey a sense of place that mere words cannot match. Melbourne, a dark horse of a city often misinterpreted by fleeting outsiders, continues to be his most inspiring muse.
www.mattirwin.com.au
Graham Shepherd
Graham Shepherd is a professional engineer, specialising in communications and IT. He is the publisher of four web sites on local history, genealogy, botanical art and creative writing. He is vice-president of the East Melbourne Historical Society.
www.emhs.org.au
Eddie Butler-Bowdon
Eddie Butler-Bowdon is the program manager of the City of Melbourne's art and heritage collection. The collection includes diverse media, including photographs; its particular strength is mid 20th century prints and negatives. Eddie has worked with images in a range of exhibition contexts.
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