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Direct Hit

2:27pm on a Saturday afternoon in the Pappinbarra Valley. Strikefinder on the deck, camera pointed at the hills. I went inside to escape the heat. Felt and heard the thunder before I saw the light. Checked the camera and there it was.

Awards

Black & White Photo Contest

2026

Nominee

Landscapes

Non Professional

Direct Hit

2:27pm on a Saturday afternoon in the Pappinbarra Valley. Strikefinder on the deck, camera pointed at the hills. I went inside to escape the heat. Felt and heard the thunder before I saw the light. Checked the camera and there it was.

About Artist

Heather Smith

My journey into nature photography began as a way to find hope and perspective during challenging times. Looking up at the sky and witnessing breathtaking sunsets helped me reconnect with the beauty of the world, even on the hardest days. When my wonderful husband gifted me a DSLR camera, it opened up a whole new world within our home. Living on our farm on the Mid North Coast of NSW, I soon found myself wandering through fields, discovering the hidden details in wildflowers, grasses, and even the humble weeds. This inspired me to create a flower garden, giving me even more to explore and photograph. A friend suggested I turn my images into a wall calendar. I took the leap, and for the past ten years, I’ve been sharing these calendars with friends, family, and a growing community of nature lovers.

Heather Smith

Photographic Areas of Focus

Fine Art, Landscapes, Macro, Nature, Sports, Travel, Wildlife

Location

Australia

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Honorable Mention
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