Feature

A Difficult Delight

Judges for the Future Visions Science Photography Competition went through a difficult, but delightful time sorting out the many and varied entries that came from all around the country. Sophisticated electron microphotographs, computer-manipulated images and shots from school trips provided a huge range from which to choose the winners of the various categories and the overall winner of the Bayer Grand Prize.

In commenting on why the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology chose to be a sponsor in the competition, the organisation's chief executive officer Laurie Hammond noted that art and science are not mutually exclusive.

"From the beginning, communication of scientific knowledge has depended heavily on illustrators, whose work surely reached its zenith in the marvellous art of the 18th and 19th century voyages of exploration from Europe to the Pacific. Now the illustrators work more with camera and computers than pen and ink, and their Hasselblads and Hewlett Packards are products of the flourishing of science and technology in the 20th century."

It wasn't necessary to have an electron microphotographic facility to enter -- entries came from enthusiastic 14-year-olds who took a look at the world around them and saw the science, technology and art that was there. Beauty is found in some of the oddest places, from a microscopic cross-section of possum lung tissue to the frozen flow of Otago schists.

Our thanks to everyone who took part in Future Visions -- we thoroughly enjoyed poring over the entries and look forward to seeing even more next time. We also thank the prize sponsors whose support acknowledges that there is more to science than test-tubes and lab coats.

Exploration of other worlds plays a large role in science, whether looking at the small world of moss and fungi to be found in our forests, as seen here, or deep into the heart of a neighbouring galaxy. The prize sponsor, the Horticulture and Food Research Institute Ltd, may be more familiar with quality fresh fruit than these "red beauties", but they are very aware of the need for long-term scientific exploration, particularly in the area of sustainable environments, says marketing manager Jennifer Burrows.

Grand Prize Winner

Crystal Mountains
Dougal Holmes, Christchurch

A chance encounter with a bottle of metol crystals, used in black-and-white developer ink, led to this crystal landscape. Diluted in water and left to dry, the resulting crystals were photographed under polarised light at 100x magnification.

Bayer New Zealand Ltd sponsored the $500 Grand Prize. The company may be best known for its wide range of dyes, pigments, pharmaceuticals, agrichemicals and veterinary products, but it is also the parent company of Agfa Film in New Zealand.

Kim Griffith, Bayer's Corporate Communications manager, says the science-based company feels it has a responsibility to directly support and encourage further broad awareness of the importance of science and technology in everyday life.

Physical Prize Winner

Pinatubo Sun
Gilbert van Reenen, Wanaka

This sunset is more than just an ordinary day's event. The intense sky colour is a result of the massive volcanic ash aerosol material poured into the sky following the Mount Pinatubo eruption.

"NIWA recognises the valuable contribution of scientific photography in bringing both the beauty and practicalities of science to the wider science community and the general public, " says Adrianne Cranshaw, marketing manager of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Ltd, who sponsored the Physical prize.

School Prize

Bioturbation
Glen Balks, Hillcrest High, Hamilton

Bioturbation refers to the mixing of soil materials by plant or animal life. On a small scale, it's exemplified by the worm castings found on the lawn; larger-scale examples are harder to find. This photo provides a fine illustration, with a large boulder carried upwards by the roots of a fallen tree.

CEO Laurie Hammond says that the Foundation is acutely aware of the need for society to have an understanding of the cultural, social, economic and environmental roles of science, and that the involvement of young people in science is critical to the country's future well-being.

Highly Commendeds:
Trapdoor Spider Salute
Lisa Tuffery, Akaroa Area School, Akaroa

Pig Louse Just Hanging Around
Marea Neill, Napier