The Lions Eye Institute reveals winners for Eye to Eye Photographic Competition

The Lions Eye Institute (LEI) has revealed the winners of its Eye to Eye Photographic Competition, focusing on the topic of eyes and eye health.

“As eyes are our window to the world, so too are photographs a window into a photographer’s world. It is this theme that we would like to explore through the Eye to Eye Photographic Competition,” LEI said.

“By bringing together the art of the photograph with the science of the eye, we hope to draw attention to eye health in a unique and engaging way.”

The competition, which was open from 6 December 2023 to 16 January 2024, attracted large number of high-quality entries, with 85 images selected as finalists.

“Congratulations to all of our entrants, finalists, those whose images were highly commended, and our winners,” LEI said.

An exhibition showcasing all shortlisted entries and the winners was held from 13 March to 3 April 2024 at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research in Nedlands, Western Australia.

View all category winners below.

Seeing through a child’s eye category: This award category aimed to encourage young photographers (under the age of 18) to submit their photos of human eyes, animal eyes or unique perspectives on the world through their own eyes.
Winner: Sam Bayes, the eye of a gloomy octopus

“Even with the octopus’ reluctance to see me, this photo captures how the octopus was feeling at the time and a curious spark in the octopus’ eye,” Bayes said.

Eagle eye category: This award category is all about animal eyes, with a particular emphasis on animals living within Western Australia.
Winner: Ross Gudgeon, map pufferfish eye

“The map pufferfish, known for its intricate pattern resembling a map, possesses eyes that are essential for its survival in the diverse marine environments it inhabits. Situated on each side of its head, these eyes provide excellent peripheral vision, allowing the pufferfish to detect predators and prey from various angles,” Gudgeon said.

Human eye, window to the world category: The human eye is the window to the world and this category showcases the human eye, different cultures, different shapes and colours of eyes, with a particular focus on people from Western Australia.
Winner: Mostafa Mozaffari, worried eyes

“I found it while roaming around Bibra Lake in Western Australia; sitting on the dried grass, she had gazed at the passers-by. Her worried eyes were going to tell me something, maybe an omen. I stayed for a while, took a photo and left. Later, I found that a fire had burnt approximately seven hectares of bushland around Bibra Lake,” Mozaffari said.

lions eye institute competition — Image: LEI/Mostafa Mozaffari.

Seeing with the mind’s eye category: This award category showcased unique perspectives on the world through the eye of the beholder or drew attention to the plight of people who live with vision impairment.
Winner: Beth Baker, a blurred world – beach towel hide and seek begins!

“Before discovering the freedom of contact lenses, I would place my beach towel by people I knew or near a bright jolly umbrella or a life saver’s flag. I would then count my steps to the shoreline; otherwise, a blurry mass of sand, bodies, and boards made it impossible to find my spot,” Baker said.