#JacarandaInYourPocket 2023 photo competition: How we choose the winners

09 Nov 2023

That's a wrap on another jacaranda season! We've loved hosting you for jacaranda events around Joburg and Pretoria and seeing your entries for our annual #JacarandaInYourPocket photo competition, celebrating the sheer beauty of these cities in bloom. The top 10 finalists in the People's Choice category are put to public vote with fantastic prizes up for grabs for the winners and runners-up. There's a lucky draw for voters too – see what you stand to win here. Voting closes on Tue, Nov 14 at 12:00 midday and the winners will be announced on Thu, Nov 16 in our newsletter, sign up here so you don't miss out.

You could win a R750 voucher for Kensington Trading by voting for your favourite 2023 entry here.

Then there's the Professional category, judged by industry experts. This year we've enlisted professional photographers Thys Dullaart and Siphiwe Mhlambi, and art curator Thato Mogotsi to select the winner and runners-up based on strict criteria including composition, lighting, technical skill and originality in approaching the jacaranda theme.

MEET THE JUDGES

Thys Dullaart: Renowned press photographer Thys Dullaart studied photography, journalism and art and started his career at The Star Newspaper in the early 1990s. In 1997, he won the highly prestigious World Press Photo award and moved up the ranks at The Star, becoming photo editor. He was the chief photographer of The Times Newspaper from its inception and four years later, started going it solo. He's since built up a substantial client base in the contemporary arts world, including William Kentridge, David Krut Projects, Everard Read Gallery and many others.

Acclaimed press photographer Thys Dullaart will be judging this year's #JacarandaInYourPocket competition.

Siphiwe Mhlambi: With three decades of experience, multiple award-winning photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi has made a name for himself in jazz photography. Working closely with the musicians he photographs gives his work its candid, intimate and emotionally resonant appeal. The founder of African Skies Media, Mhlambi has documented the history of South Africa through his unique visual reportage which encompasses editorial, documentary, portraiture and commissioned work for a variety of clients in the creative and advertising industries.

Jazz photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi joins this year's #JacarandaInYourPocket judging panel.

Thato Mogotsi: Starting out as a picture researcher and journalist at South African media houses, Thato Mogotsi has since moved into the art world, building up her curatorial profile. As an independent practitioner, she's curated contemporary art projects and exhibitions at various local art institutions, including Wits Art Museum, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Market Photo Workshop, Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum. In 2022, Mogotsi joined Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) in Cape Town as assistant curator.

Image researcher turned art curator Thato Mogotsi brings her expertise to this year's judging.

PROFESSIONAL PRIZES

Winner's prize: Brunch for two people valued at R850 p.p. (excl. drinks) at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, served on Sun only from 11:30 – 15:00.
Special mention prize: A R1,000 voucher for a Perrier-Jouët Champagne bar experience for two at 54 on Bath.
Special mention prize: A meal and drinks at La Parada at The Firs, valued at R1,000.

There are also fantastic prizes up for grabs in the People's Choice category, and voters stand to win too! The 2023 winners will be announced in our newsletter on Thu, Nov 16. Sign up here.

Vote here for the People's Choice category and stand to win great prizes!

This year's photo competition is organised by Johannesburg In Your Pocket in partnership with Gautrain, the best way to travel between two jacaranda cities. #YourGautrainJourneyStartsHere