Picture: BROOKE LITTLEWOOD
FROM the serenity of beaches through to the hustle and bustle of the business sector, the images in this year’s Wattle Range Photographic Art Show have captured some of the region’s best kept secrets.
Since its inception in 2008, the competition has grown to become a prominent South Australian photographic exhibitions, with entrants of all skill levels celebrating the region’s diversity.
Over 300 photographs have been submitted this year across 10 categories, with the exhibition officially opened to the public tonight at the Millicent Gallery.
Wattle Range Council libraries and cultural services manager Janice Nitschke said it had been exciting to watch the competition grow, as well as the skill of photographers and quality of images.
“This year we have had many new photographers enter,” she said.
“To me, that is really important because it shows that people come along, check out what’s hanging on the walls, have a look at the calendar and then aspire to submit something of their own.
“It certainly is all about growing as a photographer and an example of that is the likes of Linda Finch and Darren Galwey.
“Darren is sponsoring the first-time entrant category this year and is a photographer we have watched develop over the last decade that he has been entering.”
She said returning entrants added vibrancy to the exhibition and a “real mix” of skills and abilities.
“Everyone is really proud of their photographs and that’s what makes me feel really good,” she said.
“That to me is enough, if you do not win, you have to be proud enough of your work to hang it on the wall for people to look at.
“In saying that this year’s competition is really difficult to judge and I think the calendar will be just as good as previous years.”
The official opening for the exhibition starts at 6.30pm tonight for a 7pm start with nibbles and drinks available.
Judges will announce the top three placegetters across a number of categories including business and industry, people and portrait, black and white, sport and leisure, nature, landscape, panoramic, Lake McIntyre, water and aquatic facilities and the Hurst Camera House youth award.
Winning photographs will receive a cash prize and feature in the 2020 Wattle Range calendar.
Past entries have also appeared on Cleanaway trucks and town entrance signs.
