Focus 2022 photography exhibition open in Geraldton, public can vote for People’s Choice Awards

It’s that time of year again when the Geraldton Regional Art Gallery showcases the best images taken by Mid West photographers at the FOCUS 2022 exhibition.

In collaboration with the Geraldton Camera Club, each year the gallery displays local photography and lets the public vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Awards.

Members of the GCC bring together multiple types of photography during the year from landscape, portrait, nature, black and white and astronomy available for sale.

Club president Richard Porter said GRAG had been supportive of them putting on an exhibition each year.

Mr Porter said the images were sent to an accredited judge from The West Australian Photographic Federation for careful judgement after the exhibition.

“There are bronze, silver and gold awards to be won, each year we send the gallery our favourites which they choose from,” he said. “Our printer is very generous and gave us a significantly discounted price for prints and mounting the images.”

Mr Porter said he paid particular attention to portrait photography and one of his best works was a portrait of Marie, a Belgian tourist unable to go home during the pandemic.

The portrait captured Marie in thought about everything she wasn’t able to do in Australia because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“She was daydreaming about her family in Belgium that she hadn’t been able to see. I just love it because it is so sharp and she has this beautiful expression,” he said.

Mr Porter said he hoped new photographers would join the club.

“We want more members, it’s a non-judgmental space and we offer two tutorials a year based on a specific subject — for example studio flash,” he said.

Focus 2022 and voting for the People’s Choice Award are open to the public until May 1.