Sony Photo Battle

Ready for a photography challenge?

Join us at Sony HQ, Auckland for a new Sony Scene photography challenge where everyone receives the same creative brief and has one hour to explore Ponsonby and its sorrounds to create a photograph based on their own interpretation of the brief.

After the challenge, we'll return to Sony HQ and showcase everyone's work on the big screen. You'll get to see how differently everyone approached the same brief before the group votes for their favourites.

📸 The Challenge

5:00 PM — Meet at Sony HQ

Arrive, get your camera ready and meet the other photographers.

5:45 PM — The Photo Battle begins!

You'll have 60 minutes to explore Ponsonby and create your submission.

With sunset at around 6:30 PM, you'll have the opportunity to photograph through golden hour, sunset and into blue hour.

6:45 PM — Back to Sony HQ

Select your final image and submit it.

No editing or post-processing — your final submission must be straight out of camera.

Afterwards — Photo Showcase, Voting & Food
Everyone's submissions will be displayed anonymously, followed by group voting to determine the winner.

🏆 Prizes

Winner: Prize details to be announced.

All attendees: Sony merchandise as a thank-you for taking part.

Food and refreshments will also be provided during the event.

📋 Rules

• 60 minutes to complete the challenge
• Photos must be taken during the challenge
• No editing or post-processing
• In-camera settings are allowed
• One final image, per person
• No AI-generated or AI-modified imagery
• Submissions will be displayed anonymously
• No voting for your own submission

Limited to 20 attendees

🔒 Important — Sony HQ Entry

Due to Sony HQ health and safety requirements, entry is limited to registered attendees only. Everyone attending must register for the event in advance. Anyone who has not registered will not be permitted to enter Sony HQ.

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This event is part of Sony Scene Festival 2026. Running across Australia and New Zealand from 1 September to 31 October.

By registering for and attending eligible Scene Festival events, you'll go in the draw to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan! 🇯🇵✈️

So not only do you get to take part in the Photo Battle, but attending could also put you in the running for an incredible trip.

Make sure you register and attend the event to be eligible for the prize draw.

• This isn't a traditional photography workshop or guided photo walk. After the briefing, you'll have one hour to explore Ponsonby independently and create your own interpretation of the brief. I'll remain at Sony HQ while everyone is out shooting, ready for everyone to return for the showcase and voting.

• Your camera + lenses 
• Fully charged batteries 
• Memory card with plenty of space 
• Comfortable shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing 
• Phone — useful for keeping track of time and contacting you if needed