Hunt called her winning photo, which she took on September 12, “Verona Park – Boat House”. “I found out about the contest on short notice, so I took it two days before it was due,” she says. “I’m very glad that I was able to find the contest in time. I thought it was a nice time of day for the photo. There weren’t many shadows and the sky had a bit of a nice color.”
“I saw the two swans together and I thought it was a perfect photo for the contest,” Hunt adds. “I liked that they popped out and were different from all of the other boats.”
The photo is one of Hunt’s first efforts with a real camera. “I had liked taking pictures for a few months, but I only took a few every now and then on my phone,” she explains. “Suddenly, I started to like taking pictures more. My dad let me borrow his camera–a Canon EOS 5D–just a few days before we found out about this contest.”
The Youth portion of the Essex County Parks Photography Contest was open to anyone age 17 or younger. All photos had to be taken within the boundaries of the Essex County Parks System during the past year. Entries were judged on creativity, technical superiority, composition, and the photograph’s depiction of the uniqueness of the Essex County Parks System.
“I entered this contest because I wanted to test my skills,” adds Hunt. “I did not really know if I was very good at photography. I’m so glad that I started this hobby. I enjoy it very much.”
Hunt’s photo, and all winning photographs from the contest, will be on display at the Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, during September and October. Hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
