Peter Graney named New Zealand’s best amateur photographer

Peter Graney named New Zealand’s best amateur photographer at 2014 Sony World Photography Awards

• Prize includes the latest Sony digital imaging equipment
• Winning work to be exhibited at Somerset House, London, 1-18 May
• Images available at press.worldphoto.org

New Zealand photographer Peter Graney is today announced as the winner of the New Zealand National Award, part of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards, one of the world’s leading photography competitions.

Open to photographers of all abilities, the National Award seeks to uncover and honour the single best image taken by a New Zealand photographer entered into any of the ten Open categories of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards.

Graney, who lives in Rotorua and was runner-up in the same competition last year, was chosen as the winner for an image titled “Into the Bend”. It was selected by a local panel of judges including fashion, beauty and celebrity photographer Aaron K.

The judges also awarded runner-up positions to:
• 2nd place – Andrew Cornaga
• 3rd place - Joshua Donnelly

The stunning winning image captures a 'bike speedway' rider giving his all coming into the final bend at the Rotorua BMX Club speedway course while younger riders eagerly watch from the side line hoping to emulate his skill.

Peter Graney is a teacher in Rotorua who is passionate about photojournalism and travel photography. He photographs local events in and around his home town as well as regularly photographing in Asia.

Talking about the photograph Graney comments: “The image is not just about the race but importantly also about passing on skills and enthusiasm for a sport to the next generation. The race was part of the Rotorua Bike Festival held yearly.”

He continues: “The wonderful thing about the Sony World Photography Awards is to share a common worldwide interest in photography. To have my image recognised by this award is further encouragement to keep searching for unique and decisive moments to photograph.”

As the New Zealand National Award winner, Graney receives the latest Sony digital camera equipment and his photograph will be exhibited at Somerset House, London from 1-18 May as part of the Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition and published on www.worldphoto.org

The World Photography Organisation also announced today the winners of the Open and Youth categories of the Sony World Photography Awards plus the winners of the 37 other National Awards across the world. To see all the winning images please go to www.worldphoto.org

About World Photography Organisation (WPO)
WPO supports professional, amateur and young photographers, lending a global platform for the photographic industry to communicate, converge and showcase current trends across all genres of photography.

Delivering various initiatives to this global community, these programmes involve the photographer in commercial, cultural and educational activities within the many industry sectors, whilst also creating events for the public to participate in.

Currently included within the WPO portfolio are: the Sony World Photography Awards; the World Photography Student Focus Competition and Youth on Assignment. In addition the WPO have recently launched Photo Shanghai, Asia-Pacific’s premiere international Art Fair focused on photography and The Magazine, a monthly online publication where photography is explored, debated and discussed.

WPO also has a thriving online presence via its website, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and engages its online audience via regular PhotoTALK discussions. For more information go to http://www.worldphoto.org

About Sony
Offering an integrated entertainment experience through its electronics, mobile, music, pictures, game, and networked entertainment business, Sony is uniquely positioned to be one of the world's leading consumer brands. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products in both the consumer and professional markets, such as the 4K Ultra HD and Full HD LED BRAVIA™ TV, Cyber-shot™ digital camera, Handycam camcorder, “” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, Sony Tablet, and Walkman MP3 player, as well as its VAIO personal computers and 3D HD professional broadcast equipment.

For more information on Sony Europe, please visit presscentre.sony.eu. For more information on Sony Corporation please visit www.sony.net. “Sony”, “WALKMAN”, “VAIO”, “Cyber-shot”, “Handycam”, “”, “BRAVIA” and “XDCAM” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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