Jing He, Tekapo's Puddles of Perfection (LANDSCAPE 2025)

A moment of serendipity on an unpredictable September's day, when rain gave way to fleeting sunshine at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. The majestic mountain ranges of Mount Aoraki, known as 'sky piercers' in the Maori language, stand sentinel in the distance. Their snowy peaks a testament to the eternal and unchanging. A paused vintage Volkswagen with skis resting atop speaks of adventures both past and present. The oblivious photographer, in search of the perfect shot, ventures into my photo. In our pursuits, we often overlook our own beauty. The Church of the Good Shepherd bears witness to our quest for peace and solitude. In the foreground, the ephemeral beauty of the puddles reflects this stunning vista, a reminder to cherish life's precious moments. The rain foiled stargazing plans, but a different celestial magic unfolded, reminding us to appreciate the everyday, fleeting, and overlooked. In this instant, the universe converges - the celestial and the earthly, the timeless and the transient - creating a sense of awe and wonder that lingers long after the moment has passed.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.