Balancing act creates photo magic

This photo, titled Poultry Prepared for Market, has won the photographer an international award.

Teetering on top of a wall in Cambodia photographing locals at a market has won Rotorua photographer Peter Graney an international award.

Mr Graney took the photo from on top of a skinny wall in a market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and now has the Asia Pacific prize in the Urban Photographer of the Year 2015 title under his belt.

His photo, called Poultry Prepared for Market, shows busy locals getting food ready.

The Urban Photographer of the Year competition - now in its ninth year - encourages professional and amateur photographers to capture cities at work.

Rotorua photographer Peter Graney

The worldwide competition attracted more than 21,000 entries from 113 countries.

"The image was difficult to get as I knew I needed to be above the scene for the best result. This required a balancing act on top of a wall but it was worth the effort. The photograph is stark and certainly depicts a scene that contrasts to food preparation in western countries."

Mr Graney, who works as a freelance photographer and part-time primary school relief teacher, was pretty chuffed with his win and his prize package of camera gear.

"To be the winner of the Asia Pacific category in an international competition is wonderful recognition of my photographic work."

He said the BBC and the UK's Guardian newspaper had published the photograph recently as part of coverage of the competition.

"It's the highest I've ever come in any international competition. Earlier this year I won a Cathay Pacific travel photography award, so it's been a great year."

For the photography buffs, the image was taken with a Canon Mark I camera using a 24-70mm lens.