Through the Lens: Seniors Card photographic competition and exhibition

Through the Lens is part of International Day of Older Persons celebrations. The competition and exhibition promote ageing well by celebrating the skills of older South Australians through the art of photography and demonstrate that people can learn and create at any age.

2020 competition

All South Australian Seniors Card members are invited to enter Through the Lens, the Seniors Card photographic competition.

Competition and exhibition terms and conditions

Enter now

The judges are looking for good photographic technique, creativity and clear photographs.

Category winners and the overall winner will receive great prizes (more information will be announced soon).

Keep an eye on this website, WeekendPlus (the digital magazine for seniors) and the Seniors Card SA Facebook page for updates.

Seniors Card members love to share their stories, and other members love to hear them. Photos speak a thousand words. Through the Lens is a wonderful opportunity for Seniors Card members to share photos that they have taken, that reflect their lives and interests.

Age is no barrier to creative expression and as this popular annual competition shows, there are avenues through which senior South Australians can learn new skills, develop new interests and discover new ways to express their individuality.

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting so many aspects of our lives, the 2020 Through the Lens competition is no different. Whilst you might not have been able to get out and about to take photos for submission in this year’s competition, you can go back through your catalogue and choose suitable photos, or get creative in your home, garden or local community.

Through the Lens is sponsored by Atkins Photo Lab.

Categories

Not sure which category to enter your photo in? Check out the category descriptions.

Active ageing

Seniors on the go – in the great outdoors or in an indoor setting. Wisdom, experience, sportiness, playfulness – just some of the qualities that can be portrayed in an image. Whether it’s something you’ve snapped on the spur of the moment, or a more strategically composed photo, images should convey a story. What does ‘ageing well’ look like in your world?

Artistic photography

Images may include abstract expressions, unusual close ups, angles, patterns, motion, or perspectives, black and white photography, images created using scientific imaging tools and artistic effects resulting from digital manipulation. Artistic images make good use of graphic elements of design. They highlight line, shape, pattern, form, texture and perspective in their subjects. This category is appropriate for digital art – images created or drastically altered in software like Adobe Photoshop®.

Landscape & nature

This year, we have combined the landscape and natures categories to make entries more flexible for photographers. Landscape photography captures scenes that deeply resonate with us. They may be powerful visages devoid of humans and their habitations or show people or animals interacting with their landscapes. Images showing flora and fauna will also be welcomed. Judges will be looking for timing, use of colour and texture, lighting, detail and composition.

Meaningful connections

Connections that create meaning and purpose in our lives are one of the greatest determinants to living a happy and healthy life. It’s the quality, not quantity, of our connections that really matters. Interacting with family and friends, intergenerational moments… think outside the box and be creative. Judges will be looking for images that capture a moment or tell a story about a person’s life.

Portrait

The beauty of a portrait is its ability to tell a story – using the language of the body (not always the face). It can be a well-staged group photo or a more singular study that moves us through its expression and mood. A candid snippet in time that conveys a story and portrays emotions, thoughts and feelings.

People’s Choice Award

Eligible photo entries will be available to view in an online gallery where members of the public can vote for the photo they like best. The photo with the most votes will win the People’s Choice Award.

Check back in August for more information about how to vote for your favourite photo.

Exhibition

More information will be announced soon.

Previous winners

2019 winner

A photo depicting a striking lionfish won the 2019 Seniors Card Through the Lens photographic competition. Ian Patterson was awarded the top prize for his photo taken during a night dive off the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.