Exhibitions
Photography Matters
Auckland Festival of Photography Exhibition (2024)
We believe that human wellbeing is more important than artificial intelligence. We believe that real photography has significant benefits for our students and the community.
Photography is a form of mindful meditation as we turn our attention towards what is around us. Time in nature is essential for mental wellbeing, and finding the delights of nature and capturing them in an image brings us joy and fulfilment. We form deeper connections with our environment through direct experiences of/in nature. Creating AI-generated images can’t replace the wellbeing ‘being in nature’ brings us.
Our students learn photography skills, both technical and artistic, which can be applied for future careers or as a lifelong hobby. Learning new skills is good for developing the brain so it can pick up other complex skills that use the left and right brain. The process of finding subjects to photograph and then giving your attention to creating an image develops both divergent and convergent thinking.
The compelling images our students create create bring joy to the community and make us notice things, good and bad, we would otherwise miss.
Mt Eden Village Centre June 10-22 2024. More than 500 visitors enjoyed images captured by these young photographers:
Jesse Radford (age 12), Indie Ford (age 11), Emily Tait (age 11), Finn Blackshah (age 12), Isabel Posada-Hinestroza (age 10), George Grove (age 11), Hillary Ho (age 10), Samuel Zhou (age 9), Dityaa Jaisimha (age 9), Karla Tremain (age 13), Shafeek Allie (age 17), Ella Crosswell (age 12), Moana Funk (age 10), Saanvi Bhargava (age 9)
Little Eyes, Big Perspectives
Auckland Festival of Photography Exhibition (2023)
‘Little eyes, Big perspectives’, an exhibition of nature photographs captured by creative school students was held at the Mt Eden Village Centre June 1-9 2023. More than 200 visitors enjoyed images captured by 16 young photographers (ages 8-16, 10 different schools) showcasing the beauty and diversity of New Zealand’s natural environment. These photographers captured the spirit of resistance, the theme for this year’s Auckland Festival of Photography, in their unique ways. Resistance to urban development by showing us why protecting biodiversity is important. Being a maverick and capturing the world from their unique creative vision. Or overcoming adversity like dyslexia and using photography to appreciate nature.
Students from these schools had their images exhibited: Epsom Normal Primary (Kavisha Kanagasooriyam, 2022 students - Jonah Hinds, Dulanya Jayasekera), Remuera Intermediate (Anuke Ranaweera, Gabriel Austin), Roscommon (Meljahrie Fili, Timothy Vaivao), Mt Albert Grammar (Reanna Hinds), Glendowie school (Karla Tremain, Abigail Cullinan, Isabel Posada-Hinestroza), Glendowie college (Jessica Winstone), Pinehurst (Shafeek Allie), Victoria Avenue (Jakob Webber), St Cuthbert's (Jessica Olsen), Churchill Park (George Grove).
“I like nature photography as it gives me a sense of harmony and peace.”
Jonah Hinds (age 10)
“Nature photography takes my attention and fuels my love for it. Through my photos, I unveil the wonders of our world to others.”
Kavisha Kanagasooriyam (age 9)
“So wonderful for IMAgEN8 participants to see their work showcased and for others to enjoy it. Thank you.”
Suzanna and Mike
"What a delight! Seeing the world through the eyes of children. Helping them to see the world too. Well done Tushar and children."
Penny Hansen
I loved the variety of perspectives gathered here in this exhibition with flashes of humour (sheep) to pure beauty (animals/plants) to the focus on the little noticed (mushrooms). Amazing. Well done everyone!
Ngaire