First and second prize-getters in the 2022 Music Photography Award have been announced, with rain being the evident common element for success.

The first-place prize of $1500 went to photographer Dave Watson, whose winning photo captured Dave Grohl performing with the Foo Fighters at Mt Smart Stadium in 2018. The second-place prize was $750, which went to Shelley Te Haara for her photograph of Julia Deans performing at the first Songbirds Iin Suburbia event.

Commenting on this photo the competition judge Dave Simpson noted: “Whilst not technically perfect, it tells a strong story. It’s dark and moody, with harsh lighting and I like the graphic handling. It speaks to me about a musician performing against adversity and everything that nature is throwing against her (rain being an allegory for Covid and lockdowns?). Yet, she continues to perform sheltered under an umbrella.”