Seniors Card photographic competition and exhibition
Through the Lens is part of International Day of Older Persons celebrations. The competition and exhibition promote ageing well by celebrating the skills of older South Australians through the art of photography and demonstrate that people can learn and create at any age.
Seniors Card members love to share their stories, and other members love to hear them. Photos speak a thousand words. Through the Lens is a wonderful opportunity for Seniors Card members to share photos that they have taken, that reflect their lives and interests.
2026 competition
All South Australian Seniors Card members were invited to enter Through the Lens, the Seniors Card photographic competition.
Entries are now closed. More than 1,000 entries were received!
Finalists and winners were invited to an exclusive event at the State Library of South Australia on 1 October 2026, where winners were announced.
Winners
Lotte Ebdrub took out the Judge’s Choice Award for her photo, “Wrecked”. 
"On a recent photography trip to the Port Pirie area, we discovered a property scattered with forgotten relics, including a train graveyard and abandoned vehicles. We had arrived to photograph the Milky Way and experiment with light painting.
"This weathered yellow bus immediately caught my eye. Sitting among the overgrown landscape, its rust, peeling paint and graffiti told a story of neglect. I positioned it beneath the Milky Way, creating a contrast between something forgotten and slowly reclaimed by nature, and the timeless beauty of the night sky."
Category | Winner | Photo title |
|---|---|---|
| Judge's Choice Award | Lotte Ebdrup | Wrecked |
| Active ageing | Pasquale Belperio | Stars of the Sea |
| Artistic photography | Judith Brealey | Saucy Succulent |
| Landscape and nature | Christine Hughes | Cheeky Girl |
| Meaningful connections | David Macdonald | Friends soaking in the Muloorina Station Hot Springs |
| Our State | John Kirk | Adelaide Alive! |
| Portrait | Sandy Horne | Simon and the pelicans |
Exhibition
Finalists and winners in each of the categories as well as the winner of the Judge's Choice Award, will have their work featured in the Through the Lens exhibition at the Adelaide City Library, North Terrace for public view throughout October and November.
Members of the public are encouraged to visit the Adelaide City Library, North Terrace to view the exhibition from 2 October to 27 November 2026.
Prizes
The winner of the Judge’s Choice Award receives a $500 gift card, thanks to sponsor Diamonds Camera, Video and Digital (external site), a large ready-to-hang print of their photo, thanks to sponsor, Atkins Photo Lab (external site), a bottle of 2022 Nirvana Reserve Shiraz thanks to sponsor, Claymore Wines (external site) and the winning photograph featured on the Seniors Card website.
Winners in categories Landscape and Nature, Active ageing, Artistic photography, Meaningful connections and Portrait each receive a $100 gift card, thanks to sponsor Diamonds Camera, Video and Digital (external site), a large ready-to-hang print of their photo thanks to sponsor, Atkins Photo Lab, (external site) a bottle of 2022 Nirvana Reserve Shiraz thanks to sponsor, Claymore Wines (external site) and their photograph featured on the Seniors Card website.
The winner of the Our State category receives a cash prize of $300, and a large ready-to-hang print of their photo, thanks to sponsor, South Australian Photographic Federation (external site), a bottle of 2022 Nirvana Reserve Shiraz thanks to sponsor, Claymore Wines (external site) and their photograph featured on the Seniors Card website.
Finalists in each of the six categories also receive a large ready-to-hang print of their photo, thanks to sponsor, Atkins Photo Lab (external site).
One finalist’s image will also be featured on the front cover of the 2027 Discounts and Deals Directory.
