photographers. ▪ Photo contributed
A number of local amateur photographers, including Cathy Francisco and Alexandra Cain, have entered this year’s Western Local Land Services Life and Light photography competition.
Living at Carline Station north east of Cobar, Cathy reckons she’s spoilt for great photo subjects that fit this year’s competition theme of ‘Love Our Outback’.
“I’ve got thousands of photos, I take photos of everything,” Cathy said.
She said even during the drought, there was still plenty of beauty about—“in the sunsets, the sunrises, the colours, the red dirt and the red sky”.
Cathy’s favourite photographic subjects are landscapes (in particular sunsets) and her three kids.
“We get some pretty spectacular sunsets out here especially when there’s a bit of cloud and rain about.
“I’ve always loved taking photos but it’s only over the last few years as the kids have got a bit older that I’ve been able to take more of an interest and spend more time taking photos.”
Cathy’s already entered four photos in this year’s competition in both the colour and black and white sections, and plans to submit four more (the maximum number of entries permitted).
“It’s just hard choosing which photos to enter,” Cathy said.
“Some photos definitely look better in black and white, like photos of people, there’s a bit more texture to them.
“I think old buildings also look better in black and white.”
Cathy’s seven year son old Lachlan has also recently become a keen photographer.
“He follows me around with my old camera and takes photos of what I take photos of,” Cathy said.
She said they plan to enter some of Lachlan’s photos in the competition’s primary school section.
Schoolgirl Alexandra Cain also has the same problem of choosing which photos she plans to enter in this year’s competition.
The 15 year old has been taking photos for about five years, many of which have been taken on the family property.
Alexandra likes taking photos of birds, in particular the Major Mitchells that are in big numbers on their place, and also takes lots of photos of their stock, sheep and cows.
Her dad regularly appears in her photos working alongside the animals or on the tractor or grader.
Alexandra’s focus is on colour photos and said she hasn’t really played around yet with black and white.
Both have a few more weeks to make up their minds about which photos will make the cut before entries close next month.
To date, Western LLS has already received more than 200 images of both agricultural and environmental perspectives.
To enter, photos need to have been taken in the Western Local Land Services region in the past 18 months.
A total of $3,400 in prizemoney will be split across the open colour, open black and white, secondary school, primary school and people’s choice sections.
Professional photographer Fiona Lake is helping to judge this year’s competition.
