HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-05-17, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012.
Eight-year-old Caleigh Hopper of
RR5, Brussels is one of the most
talented photographers in Huron
County under the age of 12 and now
she has an award to prove it.
Hopper’s work was awarded the
title of best photograph in the 12 and
under category of the Community
Living Central Huron Last Light
Photo Show on May 5. Along with
that honour came a cheque for $100
which, much to her mother Debbie’s
surprise, Caleigh plans on saving for
college.
In an interview with The Citizen
last week, Caleigh said she’s not
sure if she plans on pursuing
photography beyond a hobby,
perhaps taking classes in high school
and even in college or university, but
admits that her photography career
certainly is off to a great start.
Caleigh first picked up a camera
two years ago when she was just six
years old. At that time she was using
her parents’ camera and taking
pictures of her family around the
house.
Later that year, however, Caleigh
received her own camera for
Christmas and from there she began
taking more and more pictures and
diversifying her portfolio.
Caleigh has spent a portion of her
summer every year for the last two
years at Camp Menesetung and
summer camp has been one of the
places where her photographic
creativity has taken flight.
Caleigh says that two years ago
she came back home from camp
with approximately 20 pictures of
her camp friends and various nature
scenes from camp, the following
summer she doubled her output,
coming back with over 40.
Earlier this year, however, Debbie,
executive director at Community
Living in Wingham, caught wind of
a fundraiser that could help to foster
not only Caleigh’s interest in
photography, but the interests of a
whole family that likes to take
pictures.
Fifteen pictures were submitted to
the show, five each by Caleigh,Caleigh’s sister Jenna and the pair’sfather Roger. Each photographer hadtheir own area of interest.
Caleigh and Jenna are both
currently students at East Wawanosh
Public School.
There were four categories for the
show, rural life, nature and pets,
black and white and the 12 and
under category.
Roger took pictures of clouds and
trees, while Jenna focused on
sunsets and rivers. Caleigh’s pictures
included sunset pictures as well as
pictures of the family’s barn. Her
award-winning picture of a bicycle
leaning against a tree was the one
that caught the judges’ attention
though.
The picture, taken last summer, is
of her father’s bike and it represents
a pastime that’s very important to the
Hopper family.
The picture that won was
presented in black and white, but if
Caleigh had been the one making the
decision, she said she prefers the
picture in colour.
Caleigh says she really likes going
for bike rides, whether it be by
herself “to the bridge and back”
from the family’s home or with her
father.
Caleigh and her father have
endeavoured on dozens of bike rides
together over the years, including
one long distance affair from Auburn
to Goderich. They ended up at the
fish and chips trailer on Lake Huron
before they made their way back to
Auburn.
Caleigh said she was surprised
upon finding out she had won and
that the victory held a lot of meaning
for her after Debbie had explained
the inspiration for the show to her.
“I was really happy and surprised.
It felt really good,” Caleigh said. “I
read the picture and I read about
Sarah.”The Last Light Photo Show beganin 2006 after the untimely death ofLucknow’s Sarah Mann, a former
summer employee of The Citizen.
Mann’s love of photography and
especially sunsets inspired the show
as a fundraiser for Community
Living, a cause she loved dearly.
Debbie says she began at
Community Living just after Mann
had left a position there, but stories
of her energy and positive attitude
were still making their way around
the office.
Debbie says she can relate to
Mann and her family. Both families
are very enthusiastic about
photography and in working for
Community Living Debbie says,
photography is one of the few talents
that can be appreciated in a bias-free
environment.
“It’s just a cause that’s very close
to our hearts,” Debbie said. “There
are no boundaries, there are no right
pictures and no wrong pictures.
“If someone takes a picture,
there’s no way to tell if the
photographer has a disability or not.
It’s all about inclusion and
encompassing everybody.”
The show began on May 5 with
the opening reception held at the
Goderich Library. Over 100 entries
were received across the show’s four
categories.
Pictures will remain on display, as
well as for bidding, until May 22
with all proceeds going directly to
Community Living Central Huron in
honour of May, which is Community
Living Awareness Month.
The Hopper family, Debbie says,
is already looking forward to
submitting pictures for the next Last
Light Photo Show, keeping their
eyes open for the next potential
award-winning photograph in the
family.
Local student wins photography competition
A group of winners
Several winners were awarded at the May 5 Last Light Photo Show in honour of Sarah Mann,
former Citizen employee, in Goderich, among them eight-year-old Caleigh Hopper, far right,
whose picture won gold for the 12 and under category. From left: Jessica Mann, Lynne Mann,
Steve Mann, Cheryl Glousher from Community Living, Nature and Pets winner Kayla Skillen,
Black and White winner Ryan Colquhoun and Hopper, the 12 and under winner. Not pictured
is Rural Life winner Crystal Raynard, who donated her prize money back to Community Living
Central Huron. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Award-winning work
Eight-year-old Caleigh Hopper’s picture of her father’s
bicycle, taken last summer at the family’s RR5, Brussels
home, won her some big money at the Last Light Photo
Show earlier this month. She plans to save the $100 for
college. (Photo submitted)
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By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen