Ekka Photo Entries // Geoff Rankin: photography, graphic design, music, writing, illustration, art + more

Ekka Results
Home / Ekka (2015 - 2018)

Royal Queensland Show:
1st - Monochrome (2018)
Champion Print (2017)
1st - Creative (2017)...

I grew up loving the Ekka - the annual Royal Queensland Show. What kid living in Brisbane didn't? And part of the wonder, along with the cows, fireworks, woodchopping and showbag pavillion, was gazing at the amazing collection of artwork & photography. I always wished I had something to add, to be included in such an awe-inspiring collection. In 2015 I decided to do something about it. It was pretty cool having my photos displayed but I knew I could do better.

I don't normally enter competitions. I just had this desire to fulfill this childhood longing. And now my photographs & artwork have been on display for all to see - to add to the collection of wonder - to inspire others to find out what they're capable of if they'd only give it a go. And if they're anything like me, I think perhaps they will.

2019 Royal Queensland Show

I didn't enter. I decided not to enter because I've done what I wanted to do and I'm happy with that. I'm more than happy for others to get the same thrill I've had. Maybe I'll enter next year. Probably not, but you never know.

2018 Royal Queensland Show

There were 1,135 photographs entered.

First: Monochrome Print
for the print 'Kerber Crunch'

Highly Commended: Monochrome Print
for the print 'Cat Scratch Fever'

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
for the print 'Fantastic Gymnastic'

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
for the print 'S.W.A.M.P. (She Wears A Mean Persona)'

2017 Royal Queensland Show

There were 1,240 photographs entered.

CHAMPION PRINT
for the print 'Super Duper Moon' (which I've renamed 'Revelation Road')

First: Creative - Digital Imagery, Altered Reality
for the print 'Super Duper Moon' (which I've renamed 'Revelation Road')

Commended: Colour Prints - Camera Club category
for the print 'Four Precious Jewels'

2016 Royal Queensland Show

Seven of my photos did well. I pretty much had 'em licked (that's a joke - see photo below).

Second: Monochrome Print
for the print 'Bass Lick'

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
for the print 'Conrod Crash'

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
for the print 'Bee In Flight'

Highly Commended: Colour Prints - Restricted
for the print 'Flat Out At Phillip Island'

Highly Commended: Colour Prints - Restricted
for the print 'Damsels In... Delight

Commended: Colour Prints - Restricted
for the print 'Ladybird On Peg'

Commended: Monochrome Print
for the print 'Happy Happy Helloween'

2015 Royal Queensland Show

It was my first time entering a photo competition, having never had anything but a point-and-shoot until about 12 months before this comp. I did ok - my photos were quite good but my editing skills were pretty dismal. So I knew I could do better! Happily that was the case :)

The photos...

Kerber Crunch

First Prize: Monochrome Print
2018 Royal Queensland Show

Chosen as 1 of 10 photos to represent Queensland at APSCON 2018

Germany's Angelique Kerber crunches a ball mid-flight during her epic 2hr 20min Semi-final showdown with Romania’s Simona Halep at 2018 Australian Open, eventually going down 9-7 in a marathon third set.

It was easily one of the best matches I've ever seen. It was exhausting & heart-thumping. I was worn out just watching it! Both had match points, both scrambled as if their lives depended on it, both at stages looked as if they were so exhausted they couldn't go on, both kept lifting time & time again. It was awesome to be there and even more awesome to get some cool action shots as souvenirs. Thanks ladies, you’re both unbelievably unbelievable!

Although Angie took out the championship in 2016, this year wasn't to be. 2018 Australian Open Women's Singles Semi-final, Thursday 25 January 2018, Rod Laver Arena.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

© Copyright Geoff Rankin

More TENNIS photos here...

Fantastic Gymnastic

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
2018 Royal Queensland Show

Come back down Georgia-Rose Brown! Australia’s Georgia-Rose Brown rises high over the Balance Beam - an elevated 10cm strip that any normal person would have trouble balancing on, let alone landing a reverse summersault jumpy thing. But she did win a silver medal for the event so she's clearly not 'normal' :)

For those who aren’t exactly sure what’s happening in this photo, Georgia-Rose has leapt from the Balance Beam - the strip that has ‘Gold Coast 2018’ written on it - and will again land on it with grace & poise. The green below is the floor behind, as is the floor behind.

I like how she's clearly focused on where her feet are going to land. Women's Artistic Gymnastics Balance Beam, 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

S.W.A.M.P. (She Wears A Mean Persona)

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
2018 Royal Queensland Show

Terri looks great, like she's just risen out of a swamp. But she's not mean. She's very nice.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Cat Scratch Fever

Highly Commended: Monochrome Print
2018 Royal Queensland Show

I was taking bodypainting photos in a function room. In the room next door was a bar with TVs showing horseracing. In between shoots I suggested we go next door to take some fun ones.

The king of the jungle has cat scratch fever. His crown fallen, his willpower gone, he studies the form guide and can't take his eyes of those horses. He is just a big cat after all.

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Revelation Road / Composite

CHAMPION PRINT
2017 Royal Queensland Show

First Place: Creative - Digital Imagery, Altered Reality
2017 Royal Queensland Show

This creative photo composite is designed to be spectacular - reminiscent of a classic fantasy art poster from the '80s & '90s. It's got a 'book of Revelation' feel to it - though it really has nothing to do with it. But it looks like it could be, so I call it Revelation Road.

I originally called it Super Duper Moon and I entered it under that name into the 2017 Royal Queensland Show photo comp. It won its category - 'Creative - Digital Imagery, Altered Reality' - and went on to win the top prize - Champion Print - of the whole show.

I've overemphasized the contrast & colour somewhat to help with that fantasy look. But apart from that, it's all made from my photos.

The photos...

The photo of the Supermoon (Hunter's Moon, Nov 2016) was taken from Mt Coot-tha, Brisbane, along with a thousand other people. Even though the moon was the closest it will be until 2034, it didn't look anywhere near this big. I chose to let some of the stars behind it show through to emphasise other-worldliness.

The bird is a White-bellied Sea-Eagle flying over Moreton Island.

The main photo featuring the ground and night sky is a long exposure shot taken west of Toowoomba after midnight, one cold night.

The shooting star was taken out past Toowoomba (see photo in Nature).

Jupiter is also featured with four moons, taken in Brisbane.

I created this picture to enter into the 2017 Royal Queensland Show's photo comp, so it's pretty cool that it not only won its category but won the whole thing.

Photo & art by me.

Brisbane +, Queensland, Australia

© Copyright Geoff Rankin

More ARTIFIED photos here...

Four Precious Jewels

Commended: Colour Prints
2017 Royal Queensland Show

Diamond: Hey, Emerald! What's the hold up?

Emerald: It's not me, mate! It's Sapphire.

Diamond: Why, what's he doing?

Emerald: Nothing. That's the problem.

Diamond: Hey Sapphire! Can we get a move on? My legs are cramping up.

Sapphire: What's the point? I mean what exactly is the point? I'm only a, you know, a beautiful and precious jewel like everyone else.

Ruby: I knew I should have gone first. Taxi!

These four male Hibiscus Harlequin Bugs were lined up ready for a photo. They are as they were - four bugs bunched up on the one little branch. Priceless!

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

© Copyright Geoff Rankin

More MACRO photos here...

Bass Lick

Second Place: Monochrome Print
2016 Royal Queensland Show

Markus Großkopf of German band Helloween shows some love for his bass guitar. Or he spilt something there earlier and only just noticed. Either way, it was a bass lick to remember.

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

© Copyright Geoff Rankin

More CONCERT photos here...

Conrod Carnage

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
2016 Royal Queensland Show

Ever been hit by your brother? Not like this, you haven't!

In this photo Aussie Racing Car driver Damien Flack's car was clipped by the car being driven by his brother Adrian on the fastest part of the track and sent careering out of control into the wall at around 240km/h, then flipped over and over and over and over before finally coming to rest between those power poles, but not before hitting the wall a second time and bursting into flames! It was horrendous to watch, and surreal to photograph (I have photos of the whole thing, having started taking photos when I saw his car veering sideways). His brother feared he'd died. He very well could have. Thankfully though Damien escaped with only broken ribs and a punctured lung. It could have been so much worse!

Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

© Copyright Geoff Rankin

More RACING photos here...

Native Teddy Bear Bee In Flight

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
2016 Royal Queensland Show

I love the challenge of capturing bees while flying (them not me). It's one of those things I never really thought I'd do. This Teddy Bear Bee (yes, that's what they're called - honestly) is one of the many varieties of Australian native bees that regularly pop into our gardens, whether we've ever noticed them or not. I'm glad I do macro photography as I see things I'd otherwise miss. And now I've a soft spot for native bees of all kinds, especially the cuddly ones.

Flat Out At Phillip Island

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
2016 Royal Queensland Show

Speeding around Doohan Corner at somewhere between 200-250km/h (he was traveling at over 300km/h just moments before), Valentino Rossi proves once again why he's a living legend. Almost everyone was going for him - the greatest rider of all time. He may not have won the race but it was fun watching him try, fly and ride into our hearts for the millionth time.

Do you ever get nervous when taking photos? I do VERY rarely. This was one of those times. Very exciting and very nerve-racking!

2015 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia

© Copyright Geoff Rankin

More MOTOGP photos here...

Damsels In... Delight

Highly Commended: Colour Prints
2016 Royal Queensland Show

These two Damselflies are getting better acquainted. And the world can always do with more Damselflies!

Ladybird On Peg

Commended: Colour Prints
2016 Royal Queensland Show

I returned from a big day out one day to find this cutie on the clothesline.

I inquired, "Are you lost?"

It replied, "No, I'm just hanging out."

I enjoyed its dry sense of humour.

Happy Happy Helloween

Commended: Monochrome Print
2016 Royal Queensland Show

Helloween - 'God-Given Right World-Tour', Melbourne 2015.