Snap, they’re winners- Ted’s Camera Store representative Joanne Mendes with work by Karen Dame

By Lia Bichel
YOUNG photographers from all over Victoria showed off their work at this year’s Berwick Show photo exhibit and competition.
The event, sponsored by Ted’s Camera Stores and organised by John and Heather Tyrell, attracted almost double the entries compared with previous years.
Joanne Mendes from Ted’s Fountain Gate store said she was pleased with the number and quality of entries in this year’s competition.
“The photography section has grown from 219 in 2007 to 542 entries this year and we expect even greater numbers next year,” she said.
“It is so encouraging to see so many young people taking up photography. The compact digital cameras have made it easy for everyone to take pictures but have also made it possible for kids to look to the future as photographers of tomorrow.”
A picture of bees on a fencepost landed Langwarrin resident Renee Johnson first prize in the 11-16 year age group category. She had been practising for the Duke of Edinburgh Award when she took the picture in Dame El abeth Murdoch’s garden.
A photo of a group of friends looking through a fence hole was a winning shot for eight-year-old Emily Bencsics from Narre Warren.
She got her camera for Christmas from her parents, practised by taking pictures of her baby brother and said she would enter the competition again next year.
Other winners included Brett Mendes, Karen Damen, Val Rees, Samantha Cole and Hayden Pratt.