Hobby snaps reach prestigious photo final

A photograph of the grandmother she has known for only two years has won 22-year-old Vietnamese student Nhat Dang a place in the finals of a prestigious art competition.

Fellow University of Wollongong student, Iranian Mostafa Azizpour Shoobie, has also been named a finalist in the National Campus Art Prize (NCAP) for a snap he took during a "failed fishing trip".

Their photographs are among 25 artworks shortlisted in the premier art competition.

A creative arts student, Ms Dang said she was delighted to make it to the finals of the competition for the second year in a row.

"My grandparents left Vietnam for Australia when I was a baby," she said. "When I came to study in Australia two years ago, they welcomed me into their home and I have been able to get close to them.

"I called the photo of my grandmother One Minute as it reminds me to enjoy the time I have with her, maybe one minute could pass by and I wouldn't be with her any more."

Ms Dang describes photography as a hobby, as does Mr Shoobie, 28, who is undertaking a PhD in English literature.

He captured his impressive shot, entitled De-Mystification, during a fishing trip with friends at Shiadeh Dam near his home town of Babol, Iran.

"I don't like fishing and while my friends were concentrating on the water, I was looking at the horizon and I saw something that mystified me," he said.

"I'm not really a still photographer - I'm into capturing people and events - but there was mist all over the landscape so I took a few shots.

"My friends didn't catch any fish - but I captured a great shot and am really pleased it's been recognised."

Winners of each category will be announced at the University of South Australia tomorrow.

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