Optica Student Chapter Photo Competition 2026

To mark the International Day of Light this year, the Optica Student Chapter at Victoria University of Wellington hosted a Science of Light-themed photography competition for students at VUW as well as those in years 11-13 in secondary schools throughout Wellington city. The prizes, sponsored by Te Whai Ao – Dodd-Walls Centre, were awarded as follows:

Molecules deposited on silicon substrate. Light interacts differently across the molecular layer due to compositional variation, creating a pattern of colour similar to fireworks. Picture is taken with an iPhone through a microscope eyepiece at 100x magnification.

‍In this shot, I've captured crepuscular rays (god rays) filtering through the canopy of a beech forest. This light is inspired by the natural phenomenon of sunbeams journeying through mist particles. It's unusual to see this affect outside of sunrise and sunset, however on this day, the effect was stimulated by low light-mist in the understory of the forest canopy. I took this photo on the Routeburn track, with the intent of capturing the true magical phenomenon.

‍This is a composite image of star trails centered on the South Celestial Pole. Each light trail is the cumulative effect of starlight under long exposure, formed by the apparent motion caused by the Earth's rotation around its axis. By stacking hundreds of images, I transformed the invisible principles of celestial mechanics into a visible spiral of light, a fusion of scientific observation and photographic art.

‍While walking through White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve in Napier, New Zealand, following heavy summer rain, I encountered a newly emerged native chorus cicada (Amphipsalta zelandica) clinging to its shed exoskeleton. Its wings were fully expanded, carrying an iridescent sheen that is only visible for a short time after emergence. Only later did I notice a small spiderling climbing up the cicada, an almost overlooked detail that added a quiet tension to the moment.

The VUW Optica Student Chapter and Te Whai Ao send congratulations to the winners. The judges were impressed with the calibre of the photography across the board and wish all the very best to all the entrants in their future journeys in science and photography!

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