Snapper’s outer suburban scene impresses judges

A composite image captured in outer Geraldton during 2020’s sandstorm has been chosen as the runner-up in a national photography competition that celebrates grungy urban landscapes.

Last month, well-known Geraldton photographer Karl Monaghan took second place in the 2021 Golden Shopping Trolley Awards for a photo featuring a monochromatic colour palette and urban imagery.

He said he “lifted” the work with a droplet texture he had captured during a voyage off Geraldton’s coast.

“I sponsor the Flotsam and Jetsam competition,” he said. “When we were on our way over (to the Abrolhos Islands) a couple of years ago, the sea was spilling up over the front windows of the boat.

“I shot the water running down the windows.”

The piece, along with other successful images, is now on display at the Bunker Gallery in Perth.

Monaghan has been interested in urban imagery since he was a teenager, practising street photography in London.

“I go out looking for grungy stuff on urban environments,” he said.

“They are banal scenes we live among and don’t take much notice, but they make great photographic essays.”