Lovebug weevils charm judges

Anne Webber’s risqué shot of two preoccupied insects has won a highly commended accolade at the New Zealand Geographic Photographer of the Year competition.

The macro shot shows two tiny weevils intent on bolstering the beetle population.  The weevils might be miniscule, but they caught the judges’ eye – the photograph was selected from more than 6000 entries as one of the 69 finalists.

Anne reckons the event, which was in Auckland on 23 October, made for an “interesting evening” as it provided an opportunity to connect with other photographers from around the country.

A discussion panel explored cultural considerations around photographing indigenous people, and then each short-listed photograph was projected for the audience to see.

“It was good to hear the different approaches and views of all the winning photographers,” Anne says.

The overall winner was Christchurch photojournalist Iain McGregor, for his image showing a cluster of silhouetted people gathered around the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial on the disaster’s anniversary this February.

When it came to Anne’s turn, the judges asked her questions about her entry, including where and why she took the shot.

“I think it was a different look at very cute insects and hopefully helps people think about our disappearing biodiversity,” the Lower Moutere photographer says.

“At least the weevils are keeping their end up.”