A MOUNT Burr hobby photographer has snapped up a week-long photography masterclass in Japan through a competition he entered “just for the heck of it”.
Kayle Gordon, 25, stumbled across The Master’s Apprentice competition through a post on Facebook and entered by tagging a link to his Instagram profile.
A month later he received a notification informing him he would be travelling to Japan as the apprentice of master travel photographer Richard I’Anson.
“I started shaking … I could not believe it,” he said.
“I really was not expecting to make it as a finalist … let alone be the winner.”
Kayle first started dabbling with photography around two years ago when he lived in Canada and said the skills he gained over the years since have been mostly self-taught.
“I wanted to show everyone back home how beautiful a place it is, so I went out and started taking photographs of everyday life in the Canadian Rockies,” Kayle said.
“I am mostly self-taught with the occasional Youtube tutorial.
“I have always thought of photography just as a hobby, but I think winning this and getting my name out there might be the boost and motivation that I need to pursue photography professionally.”
Kayle enjoys mainly capturing landscape photographs, as well as flora and fauna.
Not only is he inspired by his love of nature, but also the like-minded photographers he follows on social media sites, including Instagram.
While photography has been a hobby and not something he has pursued professionally, Kayle has already left his mark on the industry.
This year’s success started when he snatched up first place in the landscape category at the Wattle Range Photographic Exhibition for his drone shot Mount Muirhead in the Mist.
Mount Muirhead in the Mist is his favourite photograph of his collection and was taken behind his parents’ Mount Burr house.
The image has inspired a new drone category in the photographic exhibition, which will be introduced next year.
Kayle said he loved using photography to show people the beauty of the world around them.
He departs for Japan on October 15 and stop at places including Daisetsuzan National Park, Sapporo, Furano and visit landmarks and natural treasures along the way such as Ginga Falls, Obako rock formations, Hokkaido Shrine and the Nishiki Bridge.
As well as his holiday and mentorship, Kayle also won a Canon 6D Mark II Advanced Kit to use on his trip to Japan and will look at extending his stay so he can experience more.
