By Stephen Robb
18
HSBC Now Photo – Winners for “Calm”
Our September #HSBCPhotographer theme was ‘Calm’.
Congratulations to John from HSBC Hong Kong, whose photograph of a sunset at the Tian Tan Buddha won this month’s competition.
The stunning shot perfectly captures the statue in front of the sun, creating a simple yet unforgettable image. We’re excited to see all the submissions for next month’s theme: ‘Teamwork.’
Here are our top 3 for this month. Congratulations to all.
🏆1st place – John, HSBC HK
🏆2nd place – Jake, HSBC UK
🏆3rd place – Marie, HSBC HK
John, HSBC HK: Sunset at the Tian Tan Buddha, Hong Kong. A mystical and peaceful place inspiring calm and reflection. 1st place Jury’s comment: What a wonderful image of calm! The sun creating a halo of light, the swirling mist and the trees in the foreground showing the vast scale of the Buddha statue; these elements all work together to create a simple but unforgettable image. 
Jake, HSBC UK: A cool and calm morning on Lake Wakatipu in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. I reached the pier just as the mountains began to catch the first light of the day. I don’t think I’ve been in a calmer place than on this very morning. 2nd place Jury’s comment: This shot is perfectly composed, from the low mist mirroring the clouds above the mountains to the jetty that leads the eye to the lone figure at the end. The blue and warm orange hues evoke a type of calm that you only experience on a very early morning. 
Marie, HSBC HK: This is a picnic area in New Mexico, US. It’s in a national park called White Sands and I thought it captured the theme ‘calm’ very well because of the atmosphere and the fact that it’s empty. I was in fact disturbing this quietness by simply being there. Calm is something one can truly appreciate when living in a very crowded and fast-paced city such as Hong Kong 😉 3rd place Jury’s comment: This photo is so intriguing. The picnickers who usually make this place busy are gone, leaving an eerily desolate scene. The use of black and white transforms functional objects into sculptures that complement the dark clouds. It feels like the calm before the storm! 
Nallala, HSBC India: I took this picture at Periyar National Park in Kerala. By staying calm, you increase your resistance against any kind of storms. Jury’s comment: We love the shapes and textures in this photo. The water is so still it’s almost mirror-like; the different shades of blue are very calming, and if you look closely, you notice birds perched on the trees. What are they thinking? What are they waiting for? 
Jake, HSBC UK: Taken during my time in China, I was wandering through a panda reserve in Sichuan and this little guy was having a mid-morning nap up a tree. The soft, warm light with a napping panda makes a surreal yet calm and relaxing scene. Jury’s comment: What a wonderful image of an animal in its natural habitat! Framed by the trees, the panda seems to be enjoying a contemplative moment of calm in its favourite spot. 
Bhavika, HSBC UK: A Prayer: I surrender myself in the hands of the Universe. I feel a great sense of peace and calm within. Dear lord Ganesha, I pray each day by lightening this diya (candle) to keep the peace and calm across the planet. Amen! Jury’s comment: So many of this month’s photos feature a natural landscape, it was thought-provoking to see a different interpretation of the theme. Bhavika’s photo is full of colour and reminds us that taking time for moments of reflection is crucial in our busy lives. 
Dinesh, HSBC India: Stunning, tranquil snail enjoying a nibble of a mushroom. Jury’s comment: This photo is beautiful. The simplicity of the mushrooms, with the snail delicately perched on top gives the viewer the opportunity to notice all the little details including the patterns on the snail’s shell and the twisting stalk of the mushroom. One question lingers… how did the snail get up there?! 
Benjamin, HSBC Hong Kong. This photo was taken at Yellowknife, Canada in February 2017. The weather was so cold at -40 degrees Celsius out in the forest in the darkness of night. Everywhere was so quiet that you can hear your own heartbeat and breath. All of a sudden, the Aurora Borealis was dancing in the sky. The stunning performance instantly claimed my mind and body, making me forget the cold and darkness. Jury’s comment: This photo has a truly magical quality. We love the contrast of the motionless silhouetted trees with the vibrant movement of the Northern Lights. What a wonder to behold! But we wonder whether our photographer was actually more excited than calm to experience this! 
Niket, HSBC India: No matter how high you fly calmness will follow. But are you willing to see it? Jury’s comment: Hot air balloons can only fly on the calmest days, so instantly this photo suggests a sense of calm. Combine that with the strips on the balloons reflecting the horizontal lines of the landscape and the warm tones, and you’ve got a great photo. 
Rochelle, HSBC Philippines: Photo taken at Mt. Ulap Itogon, Benguet Philippines. This was the second time I hiked here with my 8- year-old. She was so amazed watching the calm sunrise. Jury’s comment: We love this photo of mother and daughter sharing a moment of calm after a tiring hike. The ray that shoots from the rising sun towards the child adds a magical ambience to the scene. Totally Instagrammable!
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