Image of Utopia takes out SCU Engineering Photo Competition

An image of ‘Utopia’ – a skyward view of the atrium of one of Sydney’s most ‘green’ buildings – has taken out first prize in the 2015 SCU Engineering Photo Competition.

The photo was taken by Byron Bay photography enthusiast and Bay FM community radio announcer Rudiger Wasser.

“I like to take architectural photos and I thought this image of the Clayton Utz building atrium went really well with the ‘mechanical engineering’ theme of the SCU Engineering Photo competition,” said Mr Wasser who has been taking photos for close to 40 years.

“The building really struck me as something outstanding architecturally and the way it is constructed with energy efficient features, with an ingenious use of materials and space, was a very good match. It is a feat of engineering.”

Mr Wasser’s prize, courtesy of The New Camera House, is the revolutionary new Lytro camera. The Lytro lets you focus or refocus pictures on a computer.

“The Lytro technology intrigues me. I’m a bit of a gadget man. I love trying out these things,” he said.

Southern Cross University is offering a new mechanical engineering degree from 2016. SCU has offered a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Civil Engineering since 2013.

The University’s Foundation Professor of Engineering, Professor Scott Smith, said the competition received 103 entries.

“The theme of this year’s photo competition was mechanical engineering and we are very pleased to see a strong number of entries. The range and calibre of the submitted photographs has been outstanding, aptly demonstrating the breadth and importance of the mechanical engineering discipline to our daily lives.”

Jane Morgan, a SCU arts student majoring in writing, was highly commended with her photograph, ‘Almost a camera’. She received an iPad mini, courtesy of Southern Cross University, for her efforts.

Blake Palmer’s image ‘Condong Sugar Mill’ was awarded commended. His prize is a $150 gift voucher at the Co-op Bookshop, Lismore.

The encouragement award went to Jaden Partridge for ‘Formula Car Suspension’. Jaden, a SCU Head-Start graduate, has the choice of three hours of individual photography tuition or a one-hour photo shoot, courtesy of The Odd Shot photography by Trevor Farrell.

These images, along with eight others, will feature in the 2016 SCU Engineering Calendar and in the University’s science and engineering precinct at the Lismore campus.

The judging panel included Professor Smith, Jon Paterson from The New Camera House Lismore, Trevor Farrell from Odd Shot and Ballina Shire Council’s mechanical engineer Andrew Swan.

Thanks to sponsors: The New Camera House Lismore, Southern Cross University, The Co-op Bookshop and Odd Shot Photography by Trevor Farrell.

Photo: 'Utopia' by Rudiger Wasser (credit: Rudiger Wasser).