Steve Smith has been snapping photos for decades and thought he’d nearly seen it all until a recent summer trip to central B.C.’s Chilko River landed him the shot of a lifetime.
“We came around the bend of a river and we saw these two bears playfighting,” said the 77-year-old Sidney resident. “The light was really good and I was at the front of the boat so I was able to get a good sequence of shots and, yeah, it felt really good.”
The photo, titled ‘Grizzly Cubs Playfighting’, earned him Best in Show at the 2020 Celebration of Nature Photography competition put on by the Lions Gate Camera club.
(Photo credit: Steve Smith, Victoria Camera Club)
Leah Gray often shoots alongside smith as both are long-time members of the Victoria Camera Club.
“There’s nothing quite like a group like that to improve your photography and get you enthusiastic about getting out and shooting,” said Gray, who’s also an award-winning photographer.
Over the years, the Victoria Camera Club has earned a reputation for having some of the top photographers in the province. This reputation was reinforced during the recent award ceremony as the club captured its third overall team title in the past five years.
Fellow VCC member Evan Guengerich finished second to Smith in the wildlife category with his submission titled ‘Epic Struggle’.
“You’re trying to capture a moment and that’s the best way to do that, is just spend time in the field,” said Guengerich.
The Victoria Camera Club has a membership of over two hundred people, ranging in age and experience.
Guengerich says the group has taken his passion to a whole new level.
“When you’re around people who have comparable interest and very talented photographers, it just helps you take it up a notch. You learn things just by being around them.”
And during the past ten months, the group has gained a new appreciation for their COVID-friendly, pandemic pastime.
“It’s a form of psychotherapy,” said Smith. “It’s been real good because you can be out, safely and it’s really a positive thing to do.”
For information on joining the Victoria Camera Club, click here.
Kevin Charach
