IF you’re going to be a nature photographer, Tasmania is a pretty good place to do it as award-winning Hobart-based photographer Rob Blakers has discovered.
“I came down for a three-week holiday, and that was 30 years ago I got stuck here, and haven’t left yet,” Mr Blakers said.
“The natural beauty was the main factor. I came for a bushwalking and cross-country skiing holiday, fell into the Franklin River campaign, and ended up working on that.
“Through that process I got to see more of Tassie and the landscape itself, and it’s the reason I’m still here I just love it.”
That passion, and his photographic skills, have landed Mr Blakers two awards in the prestigious ANZANG Nature Photography competition, announced at the South Australian Museum on Thursday night.
A Rob Blakers picture of a forestry burn in the Weld Valley, used with Rob’s permission many times on Tasmanian Times
His photograph Snow Gums, Navarre Plains was awarded first prize in the Wilderness Landscape category; while Forestry Burn, which captures a huge plume of smoke over the Weld Valley, won the Our Impact category.
Open to professional and amateur photographers from around the world, the ANZANG competition features pictures that capture the beauty and diversity of Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica and New Guinea, and aims to raise awareness about the importance of conservation.
“I’ve entered a few times before but never had any luck, so I’m very happy,” Mr Blakers said.
