Seniors Card

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 active ageing by celebrating the skills of older South Australians through the art of photography and demonstrate that people can learn and create at any age.

2018 competition now open

All South Australian Seniors Card members are invited to enter Through the Lens, the Seniors Card photographic competition, by submitting up to five original photographs. Submit your best photos for a chance to win great prizes!

Enter now

Photos of a range of subject matters are encouraged in the following categories (see below for category information):

artistic photography
portrait
landscape
nature
seniors in action.

Use your creativity! Think lifestyle, volunteers, lifelong learning, neighbourliness, sport, family, arts and culture, leisure, multiculturalism and vibrant South Australia. Entries must include an image title and a brief description of the photograph.

Entries close on Friday 10 August 2018. Following this time, members of the public will be able to view all eligible entries and vote for their favourite - the People's Choice vote.

The winner of the People's Choice vote and a finalist and winner in each of the five categories will win a framed print of their photograph, thanks to major sponsor Atkins Photo Lab. More prizes will be announced soon.

View the 2018 Through the Lens terms and conditions.

Finalists and winners in each of the six categories will be invited to an exclusive event at the City Library in Rundle Mall on 4 October 2018. Winners and finalists will have their work featured in the exhibition for public view throughout October.

What will the judges be looking for?

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

Category information

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®.

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.

Landscape

Landscape photography captures scenes that deeply resonate with us, even though we may never personally have visited the locations. They may be powerful visages devoid of humans and their habitations or show people interacting with their landscapes. Judges will be looking for timing and light. Images can be of natural or urban landscapes, in black and white or colour.

Nature

Images showing flora, fauna and landscapes in their natural state. Judges will be looking for timing, use of colour and texture, lighting, detail, composition and whether the image captures the unique essence of the subject.

Seniors in action

Seniors on the go – interacting with family and friends – in the great outdoors, or conversely, relaxing 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 – older people connecting, communing, contemplating – use your imagination.

Previous winners

2017 winner

A photo depicting a 360 degree view of participants at a seniors camp was chosen from close to 400 entries as the winner of the 2017 Seniors Card Through The Lens photographic competition.

Taken by Grant Hugo at Carrickalinga, the winning photo featured on the cover of the 2018 Seniors Card Discount Directory, Your Lifestyle Guide.

2016 winner

The overall 2016 winner was Colin Sanderson for his photo 'Arckaringa Hills at sunrise'.

Colin received a custom piece from JamFactory and his photo appeared on the cover of the 2017 Seniors Card Discount Directory, Your Lifestyle Guide.