Australian sunset wins $5000 prize

Somebody who is usually in front of the camera is not the most likely winner of a photography competition, but Monash Abroad student Amanda Keanna has defied expectations.

A photo Amanda took of friends in the Australian outback has been selected from more than 800 entries to win the Monash University Global Student Photography competition. Her prize is a $5000 Flight Centre Travel voucher, that can take her anywhere in the world.

“I can’t believe my photo was chosen out of so many entries. I’m so excited that it hasn’t even hit me yet,” Amanda said.

“My roommates in America are photographers so I always watch them take photos, and usually I model for them, so it’s nice to be on the other side of the lens.”

Amanda, from Loyola University in Maryland, US, is studying abroad at the Monash Clayton campus. She was on a University-organised trip to Broken Hill in New South Wales when she snapped the lucky shot.

“That day, we had climbed a huge mountain and were heading back down to camp when the sun was setting. Just as the sun began to hit the horizon three of my friends sat down to watch, and I took the photo at that moment,” Amanda said.

Amanda admits photography is not something she intends to pursue professionally.

“I’ve never been a photographer, or taken any classes. It’s just a hobby for me. But now it’s a hobby that’s won me $5000, so it doesn’t get much better than that,” Amanda said.

When Amanda heard the news, she was on a bus heading to Cairns for her spring break vacation.

“The Australian landscape is different to anything I’ve ever seen before. It’s absolutely amazing, and the sunsets are my favourite part. I love it out here,” Amanda said.

“At my home university, studying abroad is a very popular thing to do in your third year of study, and I always knew I wanted to visit Australia, so this has been the best opportunity. I’m so happy I’m finally here.”

The competition prizes also included an iPad 3 for each of the five runners-up and the winner of the People’s Choice award.

The lucky runners-up were Yuxi Zhang and Derrick Koo of the Caulfield campus, Andrew Alpha Chan of the Gippsland campus, Muhammad Mohd Radzi of the Sunway campus and Eliza Rowe of the Peninsula campus.

The winner of the People’s Choice award was Michael Kogan of the Clayton campus.