“I don’t look toward other photographers; I look toward the community and the people around me,” said local Photographer, Alex McNaught when asked about what drives his passion for photography.

Alex is a man for the community, capturing the essence of our beautiful region and sharing his photographs for everyone to enjoy and experience – and now is our chance to support his photographic adventure.
 
Alex has placed within the top ten for The Mono Awards, a competition of photographs that are in only black and white, and he needs our help to take his image over the finish line and win the People’s Choice Award.
 
Head to the link here to vote for his image, ‘Whimsical Windfarm’ today!
 
Alex entered three images into the competition, ‘Whimsical Farm’, ‘Jetty and Approaching Storm’, and ‘Field of Dreams’ which were all taken on his trip to the southwest corner of Western Australia.

His love for geology, geography and landscapes allows him to have a keen eye when it comes to knowing the right photograph – and with two degrees in Geo-Physics, the science behind it all makes for a more meaningful photograph.

“Geography is my core, original passion,” said Alex.

His winning photograph, ‘Whimsical Windfarm’, was taken at a windfarm near Albany. He used a drone to capture the windmills at their level and merged several shots to create a “ghosty effect”.

 

“Windfarms are usually pretty boring, but I thought I might try and make it interesting.”

 

'Jetty and Approaching Storm’ was taken at a beach in Busselton as a huge storm was brewing off the ocean, taking a ground level shot that captured it rolling in.

 

The colour scheme of the white railing and the dark sky allowed the switch to monochrome an easy accomplishment.

 

“It was a perfect candidate for turning into black and white.”

His third entry, ‘Field of Dreams’ was taken of an abandoned farmhouse, something that has always sparked a curiosity in him.

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“I always think what their story was. Who are they? And why aren’t they living there anymore?”

Although Colour Landscape and Colour Seascape are his preferred photographic styles, this monochrome style competition has allowed him to expand his horizons and challenge his photographic skills.

 

“You can really get a lot more out of images that are black and white I have found.”

 

He said that he enjoyed the discovery of hidden shadows, bumps and contours of environment that add depth and texture that only a black and white image can conjure.

 

“Some images are just timeless when they come out in black and white.”

 

Photography has been an important part of Alex’s life, particularly when he was younger, and since moving to Port Macquarie for a “life reboot”, he has reignited his passion for it.

 

Alex has endured some hard times in his life which have unfortunately “crushed” a lot of his passions and interests - but since moving to Port, the community response to his photographs and his born again love for photography has been an incredible self-healing journey.

“I’m deeply appreciative of the support, it means more to me than anyone can know.

 

“It’s been a process getting myself back on my feet.”

 

He enjoys being able to give our community members a reason to be proud of where we live.

 

“I can create something that allows people to say, ‘here’s a bit of where I live, isn’t this awesome.

 

“It’s so refreshing and healing for me that in my own local community like what I do and that means so much to me.

 

“I look forward to bringing a lot more out there.”

 

Currently sitting at 585 reactions to his image, be sure to vote for Alex and his photograph, ‘Whimsical Windfarm’ on the official Facebook Page of The Mono Awards 2022.

 

Hit the link here to support Alex! Voting closes at 2pm on September 6th 2022.

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