A Thousand Words and More

You will hear many commentators say that the world, especially the on-line world, is losing the attention span required to read text and that all we really want to do is look at pictures. That may or may not be true, but in any case we are fortunate to have a huge well of photographic talent connected with the MyState Bank Australian Wooden Boat Festival.  Photography Manager Rob Oates has been leading a highly professional team for years now, teaching the finer techniques of photojournalism to an attentive crew of 30-40 talented photographers.  The Hobart Photographic Society has played an essential role, bringing in talent like Eric Graudins, Jenny Schorta, Phil O’Halloran and Gina Romalis.  Specsavers stepped up in 2019 to sponsor the Australian Wooden Boat Festival Photographic Competition, with some serious prize money for the best festival photography over the past 25 years.  The result was a brilliant display hosted by Brooke Street Pier, seen by thousands of festival-goers. First Prize went to Mark Higgins for his abstract Reflections, Second Prize was carried off by our own Rob Oates for the exciting Ketch Race and the People’s Choice Award saw veteran photographer Bruce Smart go home with a tidy prize for his lovely image Wooden Boats Sunset. Missed the exhibition, did you?  Feast your eyes on more of the finalists here.

Michelle Bowen’s lovely landscape of the Victoria Dock, Hobart

Eric Graudins gave us the cheeky After You, Governor!

A startling view from the masthead of the 12-metre Gretel II by Brett Rogers

Beautiful detail in Rhys Jones’ Brass and Pine

Racing drama in Nicole Oates’ Match Race

Festure Image: Tall Ships by Ron Rainbow