Tom Sheppard wins top honours at Northern Zone photo competition

PORT MACQUARIE photographer Tom Sheppard has taken out first place in the Australian Landscape – Print category at the 2025 Northern Zone Photographic Competition, held locally on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July.

Sheppard’s award-winning image, “Googik Dreaming”, was part of a strong field of entries from photographic clubs across regional NSW.

The event, hosted by the Port Macquarie Panthers Photographic Club, attracted more than 70 delegates for a weekend of exhibitions, workshops and awards.

“We’ve had such a strong showing from photographers across the region,” said Tom, who is also club president.

All competition entries were judged in advance by a panel from the Federation of Camera Clubs, with images sent to Sydney for professional review.

“If you get an artistic judge, they’ll look at it through artistic eyes,” Tom said.

“If you get someone who’s a compositional and technique-based judge, they’ll look at it that way… all judges are different.”

In a first for the event, a People’s Choice Award was also introduced, giving attendees the chance to vote for their favourite print on display.

“The photographers didn’t know it was happening, but we thought it was a great way to involve the public,” Tom said.

“And yes, the award was a very handsome one!”

Also exhibiting was Bronwyn Ellis from Taree Camera Club, who shared her passion for photographing remote landscapes.

“I do it for me,” she said.

“It’s where my passion lies,in the polar regions.

“Photography is good for the soul.”

Sharryn Sykes, from the Hastings region, praised the sense of connection at the event.

“We come from different clubs and places, but when we’re here, we’re all photographers first.

“It’s inspiring.”

The overall winning image of the competition went to “Sands of Oman” by Fiona Grosse (Lismore Camera Club), while C.ex Coffs Camera Club was named Overall Winning Club based on aggregate results.

By Sis HIGGINS