Year of shooting bears fruit for young photographers

YOUTH from around the region have been busy with their cameras over this past year and have contributed to the annual Swan Hill Regional Library Youthspective Photography Competition.

The competition, which is open to youth aged between 12 and 18, is now in its 13th year.

Each year budding photographers are invited to submit up to three images depicting an annual theme.

This year’s theme, Sport, was chosen to compliment the Beyond the Boundary exhibition that is currently on at the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery featuring the work of Michael Willson, chief photographer for the AFL.

Over the years of the competition, the library has been fortunate to have had the support of many well-known local photographers, including Glen Whitelaw, Wayne Bradbury, Greg Cruickshank and Jo Sheldrick.

There have also been some Melbourne-based photographers including Craig Newell, Penny Koukoulas and the late Jaime Murcia who have also given their time and expertise, providing workshops as prizes and encouragement to young photographers through thoughtful and informative comments.

This year the library was delighted to welcome Mr Willson to the list of esteemed judges.

The prizes were presented at the opening of the Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery’s dual exhibition of Beyond the Boundary and Home Ground by Mr Willson and Angelica Watson (representing the NOVO Youth Council).

This year’s winners

12-14 years:

Judge’s Choice Award – Cody McIntyre, for ‘Football’.

People’s Choice Award – Lily McManus, for ‘Asher – mono’.

15-18 years:

Judge’s Choice Award – Milla Stewart, for ‘Sport 1’.

People’s Choice Award – Milla Stewart, for ‘Sport 2’.

There were also four highly commended photos.

Three of these photos – ‘Grand Final Celebration’, ‘Goal!’ and ‘Swan Hill Races’ – belong to Kobe Davison.

The other was ‘Let’s Play’ by Lavinia McCann.