Harrison’s very own Angeline Haslett was among the few to win honours at Black Press & London Drug’s sponsored Next Generation Photographer of the Year Contest.
Haslett won “The Crowd” category, beating out over 2,000 entries in the first round, while triumphing, in a battle of the cameras at the 2016 International Abbotsford Airshow.
Limited mobility, due to an accident, that set her back six months with recovery time (she used the time to familiarize herself with new editing suites) — didn’t stop the competitor, as she braved the wilds of her third year on scene.
“I had time to do the planning,” she said of her winning strategy.
The self-taught photographer, who shoots with a Nikon D610, acknowledged that experience with the Airshow was an asset, not only as a confidence booster, but in helping her get to the stage in photography that she’s at now.
“I really had to focus on my objectives,” she said.
Admitting to a certain awkwardness the first year out (this is her third season out), the Kindergarten teacher at Sts'ailes Community School, advises that confidence is important and often earned with experience.
“When it goes wrong, it all goes wrong, and you just have to move on,” she said of equipment malfunctions during a competition.
Teaching for over 16 years, has given Haslett a unique perspective, and a lot of patience.
Patience, timing, and planning are some of the key elements she mentioned in getting that perfect shot, as well as as being determined to see the process through from beginning to end.
Choosing the right photograph from a take is part of the challenge and fun in photography according to Haslett.
“I was madly editing the whole time.”
The fourth annual contest’s first round received a record number of submissions to Black Press newspapers all over the province. Entrants came from more than 80 communities, including 100 Mile House, Campbell , Burnaby, Vancouver, Kelowna, Chilliwak, Surrey, Hope, Invermere, Langley, Lumby, Maple Ridge, Nanaimo, Nelson, Prince George, Quesnel, Sooke, Vernon, and Victoria.
Expert judges selected from more than 70 best entrants, who faced off against each other, taking photos in a three-day challenge at the Abbotsford International Airshow last August.
Over 22,000 people voted online for the contest’s People’s Choice award, also a record high. The top-voted entry was from Harold Schock, who entered with the Kelowna Capital News.
Paul Kendall of Abbotsford was name the Next Generation Photographer of the Year after winning both the Static and in Air competitions.