A creative eye has won two young southern photographers awards in the Perry Foundation New Zealand schools photographic competition.
Rosebank School (Balclutha) pupil Mikayla Stoop (12) was runner-up in the intermediate science category of the competition and St Peters College (Gore) pupil Stacey Butler (16) was runner-up in the secondary science category.
The theme for the categories was From Paddock to Plate, which was a problem for Mikayla.
"I don't live on a farm, so I had to make the most of the stuff I had lying around the house," she said.
A black and white photograph of half a dozen eggs, a chicken figurine, an egg cup, a basket and some salt and pepper resulted in an award-winning photograph.
"It's one of the first photos I've ever taken.
"I didn't really think I would get anywhere - I'm surprised."
Stacey was also surprised her photograph of a sheep carcass and a set wrought-iron picnic table won the runner-up prize in the secondary category.
"This is the first time I've taken a photo for a purpose. Previously, I've only taken photos on holiday. I'm a happy snapper rather than a pro," she said.
While Stacey plans to continue to follow her artistic streak in painting, Mikayla says photography is a new found passion.
"I'd like to do photography as a career when I leave school," she said.
