Oh Snap! Year 12 CIT student lockdown photography competition

CIT year 12 students were invited to enter a special lockdown photography competition with weekly prizes.

This week's winning entries, chosen by the year 12 teachers were: Caitlin Dalgliesh with her photo 'Henned in' with the theme of "something outside".

Nick Barker was the 'composition' winner for 'Peak hour in CBR: lockdown edition' for using great technical elements. Finally, Hayley Pineda was the ‘Feeling' category winner for 'I'm so glad I bought flowers before I found out I had to quarantine' as her photograph conveyed a special feeling about the lockdown.

Hayley said about the competition that; "taking photos is a fantastic distraction from the stress of lockdown, and contributing to the Oh Snap! competition is a great way to stay connected with other people and get a little glimpse into their lives."

"I chose to take the photo of my vase of flowers because I wanted my entry to be of something joyful. Thanks to COVID delays with our renovation, we were without a kitchen since February."

"I've made a point of buying flowers each week and when I bought these orange Calendula flowers, I had no idea that I would be so thankful that I had - they have been bright and beautiful in an uncertain and scary time."

"My teachers have all been supportive, accommodating and encouraging, driving home the fact that we're all in this together and we'll get out the other side."

"This is a difficult time for everyone. We don't have to be perfectly productive all the time - we're in a global health crisis and it's ok to feel scared and uncertain."

"Keeping a routine has helped me stay afloat: getting dressed, brushing my teeth and eating at regular times"

"When I get overwhelmed I meditate, make some tea and hug my dog."

"People feel big feelings when they're scared and stressed because emotions are survival mechanisms. We will survive, we will come out the other side of this and we will be ok, even if we're not right now."

Nick Barker, who took a photo on the evening of the first day of lockdown in Canberra, said he went to the post office in the city to pick up a parcel. As he was walking back, he stopped and realised just how quiet the city truly was, considering it was 5:30pm on a Friday afternoon.

"It felt really surreal to me just how much lockdown has changed the way everyone lives their lives. I decided to take a photo which I later used in the photo competition."

"It's definitely been challenging during lockdown but continuing with CIT has been really helpful."

"Keeping busy has been really important. I have been doing a lot of artwork during this time."

"Taking photos during lockdown helps as it gets people to be creative and think outside of the box. It's also a fun challenge and pushes me in ways I didn't expect. It's been also really good to see the photos that my peers have been taking.

For more about studying the CIT Year 12 program.