Landscape photography was a passion of Wanganui Camera Club and Tramping Club member Margaret Walford, who sadly passed away in November last year.
This year the WCC is recognising her dedication and contribution to the club by the inauguration of a new competition for Landscape Images. The associated award is a crafted wooden trophy by WCC member and local artist Jack Michelski.
Margaret joined the WCC initially to improve her photography of her embroidery and tailoring. Her later interest in tramping introduced her to the delights of capturing on film the many stunning landscapes she discovered.
People and action shots were added as she joined her partner Brian in his interests of jetboating and four-wheel drive muddy excursions. She very ably 'captured the moment' from some very precarious positions, winning awards and recognition for her images in related national magazines.
She enjoyed and recorded the amazing sights as she and Brian explored New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States.
Several of Margaret's images have featured in calendars, and framed images have featured on walls of offices and venues in Whanganui.
An exhibition of her work featured in Eltham's popular corner gallery. Last year the WCC Annual Exhibition, which for years she had helped organise, featured a set of Margaret's favourite images which was much admired by visitors.
The highlight of Margaret's photographic career was in 2003 when her set of 10 landscapes gained her Licentiateship of the Photographic Society of NZ.
Her skills in organising and attention to detail saw her invited on the WCC Committee as competitions secretary, a position she held for more than 23 years.
All of this work, her successes, Camera Club events and her travels she meticulously recorded in volumes of photograph albums.
In 2006 she was awarded life membership of the Wanganui Camera Club, in recognition of all the time and effort she had given to the club. It is hoped this trophy will encourage others to appreciate and record the landscapes of the countryside Margaret so enthusiastically enjoyed.
The club recently judged the first set of landscape photographs. The winning image chosen was Isolation taken by Les Rackham. Congratulations to Les for being the first name on the new Margaret Walford Landscape Trophy.