Photo award nomination celebrates shades of grey

A LAL Lal-based photographer has been acknowledged for her work with commendations in this year’s Mono Awards.

All seven of photographer Kristina Kitchingman’s works she’d submitted received the nod, marking her third year in a row of commendations with the award.

She said the outcome was a validation for her.

“It’s a validation that I’m still doing something right because it’s not someone you know but your higher peers judging your work,” she said.

“All of my works were in the landscape category this year. I try to better my skills by taking different things in different locations.”

With four decades’ experience with the medium, Kitchingman is founder and secretary of the Lal Lal Moorabool Photographic Group.

The submitted pictures were taken during a creative trip to Gippsland in January.

Kitchingman said the trip, much like her photography as a whole, served a dual purpose.

“It’s the drive to better my skills while staying active because I have a disability, spina bifida, and if I don’t keep active I won’t be able to do what I’m doing,” she said.

“From high school, like most people, when you get a taste of photography it sticks with you. I have a disability and my son has a disability and I needed an outlet with myself to cope with life.

“Picking up my camera and throwing myself into it helps.”

Now in its fifth year, The Mono Awards are aimed at celebrating the black and white works of photographers throughout Australia and New Zealand.