Photography contest highlights beauty of Sioux Lookout area sunsets, engages people around the world

Tim Brody - Editor

The votes have been cast and the winners have been named in the Sioux Lookout Photography Group Sunset Photo Contest.
Taking first place, with 160 votes, was the sunset Shantal Agustin captured on her phone from her dock on Abram Lake.
Taking second place, with 131 votes, was Ashley Cameron’s sunset photo taken in Hudson overlooking Lost Lake. She also used her phone to capture her winning image.
Coming in third in the competition, with 120 votes, was the sunset captured by Lacey Hannaford.
Stuart Cummings, a founding member of the photography group shared, “The Sioux Lookout Photography Group was looking for an event to promote photography during the Blueberry Festival. I had noticed quite a few pictures of sunsets that people were posting on Facebook and thought that might be a good fit with our Sunset Country location. I approached the Chamber of Commerce about using the winning picture as a feature in the new Northern Experience magazine that is being put together. The Chamber agreed and the Sioux Lookout Photography Group agreed. The contest became a reality. It was first advertised July 23rd with a submission deadline of July 31.
“Within that eight days 54 pictures were submitted. The qualification for submission was that the picture must have been taken within the boundaries of Sioux Lookout by the person submitting the picture and it could not be photoshopped at all. Judging was by peoples’ choice. Individuals were only allowed to vote for one picture but they could like as many as desired. There have been over 700 votes registered and more that 800 likes as well. Votes have come from around the world with many former residents participating. The contest has been shared by many people who desire to garner votes for their choice as well as being proud of the scenery our town experiences.”
Cumming said he was amazed at the response and positive comments the contest generated.
Agustin said she was surprised to win first place in the competition, “I was a bit surprised. I didn’t think it would get as many votes as it did.”
“I was just in my backyard and I noticed the sunset was looking really pretty,” she added of her winning photo.
Agustin said her contest win has inspired her to take more photos.
Cameron said of taking her second place photo, “I was in Hudson with my boyfriend and we were down where the houseboats are… The sun was setting… I’ve always loved the sunsets up here.”
Cameron, who has enjoyed taking photos for many years, also said the win has increased her interest in photography and got her interested in joining the photography group.
Photo enthusiasts in the Sioux Lookout area can ask to join the Sioux Lookout Photography Group on Facebook.