Meteorological Society Photo Competition 2008 Winners

 

During the past year 110 photos have been entered in to our competition.  We thank all those who have submitted their images.  The judges were

Kim Dirks, Simon Kjellberg and Robert McDavitt from our Auckland committee and Katja Riedel, a photographer working for NIWA in Wellington

 

The standard was good, and this made the judge’s job more challenging than last time. This year it took several goes to eventually reach a consensus regarding the winning photos.

 

On behalf of the Meteorological Society, I’d like to thank all those who willingly shared their time and effort in support of this competition; this includes those who sent in entries, and the judges who gave their time voluntarily.  Also hearty ‘CONGRATULATIONS’ to the winners.

 

THIRD

 

Third Prize—Free Subscription for one year.

 

'Clouds, Aoraki Mount Cook' by Ross Campbell of Christchurch taken Wednesday, 16 May 2007.

 

This was judged the best specimen amongst many of a stack of Altocumulus Lenticularis side-lit by a setting sun.  What the judges liked about this shot was the darkness of the foreground counterbalancing the blueness of the background sky.   Thanks Ross and welcome to the Met Society.

SECOND

 

'Waterview, Auckland Afternoon' by Jaala Smith of Waterview taken Tuesday, 6 May 2008.

 

“Through ground glass”.  The easiest way to discover if that veil of upper cloud is Alto (mainly comprised of super cooled cloud /liquid water droplets) or cirroform (comprised by ice crystals) is to view the sun or moon.  Ice crystals will produce a halo, and Alto clouds won’t.  According to the textbooks, viewing the sun through Altocumulus or Altostratus is like “viewing it through ground glass”. This may remind some people of the phrase “through a glass, darkly” (1 Corinthians 13) and oft quoted in literature (see WIKIPEDIA).  Most photos showing this seem to miss a suitable foreground, but this photo has a tree in the right place, making this photo worthy of explaining how to identify Alto clouds .

Since there is sign of up and down cellular motion within this cloud veil I’d call it Altocumulus rather than Altostratus, but some of you may differ on his point.

Thanks Jaala and welcome to the Met Society.

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FIRST

First Prize—Free Subscription for three years –

'Mirror Lakes' by Arjan van Woensel of Mangawhai

STRATUS “collar” cloud.  The Mountain range is wearing this cloud like a collar , and at the time of this snap the cloud layer is neatly along the top of the tree line , so that its reflection manages to mimic the contours of the shore line.

 

These lakes are a favourite place for taking photos, due to quietness of the valley winds.  This photo seemed to catch the winning appeal of the judges, and is a worthy photo for showing “collar” clouds. Thanks Arjan, and welcome to the Met Society.

 

 

Bob McDavitt, for Met Society