Media personality Lasizwe Dambuza was crowned the ultimate winner of Canon’s photography reality show The Perfect Picture season two.
Lasizwe got through it all after nine weeks of mastering the perfect picture.
Lasizwe, Nomvelo Makhanya, and Ivan Roux all made it to the semi-final episode where Roux was sent packing.
In a previous interview with Sunday World, Lasizwe said he entered the show because he wanted to challenge himself behind the camera.
“I took on the challenge just to show that I’m not just a funny guy. I watched the first season and I got a gist of the show,” said Lasizwe.
“So, I was like I’m always the one in front of the camera trying to get the perfect pose, I wonder what it’s like getting the perfect picture.”
The only knowledge that Lasizwe had about a camera was taking a video of himself, not taking photos of himself or anyone.
“I only knew how to put the camera on video, set autofocus on my eyes – the rest, nothing,” he said.
“I think this will give me a new accolade that I can operate a camera, and the credibility to open a business.”
In just a month, the contestants were introduced to skills that people would go through for years. The team learnt how to do night, day, animal, and boss-moving photography.
“I would never consider photography because it is intense and it has its people, you really need to have a calling for it.
“I don’t want to be falling into the category of being one of those people whose photos are questionable.”
The contestants’ framed images of their travel log photos were displayed at The Melrose Gallery before resident judges – Neo Ntsoma and Hilary O’Leary, joined by Tristan Schäfer, had the ultimate decision to make.
Starting with Nomvelo’s pictures, the judges loved the use of a model who wore a balaclava, mentioning that the image captures the feel of Lesotho perfectly.
Lasizwe’s collection of photos was said to be carefully considered, striking a great balance of depth that adds to the story.
Before the winner was announced, all the season’s contestants reunited at the art gallery. After a quick catch-up, the scores were read.
Nomvelo’s overall score was 67.
Asked what she will take away from the show, she said: “I applied myself to get this far. I listened and took everything in. It’s been an incredible experience.”
Lasizwe was crowned the winner with 73 points. He was awarded the coveted trophy and a cheque for R150 000. He also walked away with R100 000 worth of Canon gear.
Lasizwe reminisced about his time during the competition.
“For me it was showing my evolution. People know me as a child star and for my caricatures I play online,” he said.
“This was my breakthrough of becoming someone new and reinventing myself.”
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