Photography enthusiast Manuel Toribio of Devonport made clever use of his girlfriend's camera self timer to capture himself diving off the wharf at Stanley Bay and won the Auckland Photo Day with his image called The Flight.

Judges Ron Brownson, (senior curator Auckland Art Gallery) Kellie Blizard (chief photographer, The Aucklander), and freelance photographer Jocelyn Carlin all agreed Manuel's entry stood out from the beginning. Photography enthusiast Manuel Toribio of Devonport made clever use of his girlfriend's camera self timer to capture himself diving off the wharf at Stanley Bay and won the Auckland Photo Day with his image called The Flight.

Judges Ron Brownson, (senior curator Auckland Art Gallery) Kellie Blizard (chief photographer, The Aucklander), and freelance photographer Jocelyn Carlin all agreed Manuel's entry stood out from the beginning."This is a winning image, it expresses aspiration, it's uplifting and represents all that's positive about living in this region. All the rewards of risk are apparent here, gathered in a great moment" the judges said.

Manuel is a 25 year old Argentine national and is working as barista and waiter in Devonport while he waits for his New Zealand residency.

"The Festival programmes were dropped in at the restaurant where I work and I thought I'd love to give it a go, so I borrowed my girlfriend's camera. I was third time lucky with this shot" he said. "I spend my spare time enjoying my days in Auckland, I just love it here. I can't believe I've won the top prize."

Festival Director, Julia Durkin, says Manuel is a perfect winner for the sponsor's 1st prizes "with his talent he obviously needs his own camera and now he is an owner of a great Olympus digital SLR plus a Nitro Coffee machine from Gravity Coffee. He's a deserving winner of the 5th annual Auckland Photo Day."

Creative Exposure Festival 2008 is supported by key sponsors- Manukau City Council, Waitakere City Council, North Shore City Council, Gravity "Official Coffee Sponsor", Heart of the City, Metro, Olympus, Auckland City Council, New Zealand Post, Triangle TV, Westfield Manukau City. Funding support from Lion Foundation, NZCT, NZ Internet Services, NZJEP, Creative Communities North Shore, Creative Communities Waitakere, Creative Communities Auckland City, Auckland City Council, COGS, South Auckland Charitable Trust and significant support from The ASB Community Trust.

22/06/08