LOS ANGELES – A Filipina freelance photographer based in England won the National Geographic Exceptional Experience photo contest.
On-line voters chose Yen Baet’s “Rainy Night in Hallstatt,” a landscape photograph overlooking the lake over Hallstat, a village in Austria over six other competitors for the National Geographic grand prize a nine-day National Geographic Expedition trip for two through Peru.
“I was up by more than a hundred votes until the end, and although I was nervous the whole time, I really can’t say I was surprised,” she told the Asian Journal.
“You have to believe in yourself and believe that anything is attainable if you work hard for it.
“I am so thankful to my fellow Filipinos around the globe who helped spread the word and made this happen,” she added.
“It’s a great feeling to get recognition for my work especially with the name National Geographic attached to it.”
This was Baet’s first entrance in a photo competition.
She said being recognized as a photographer from National Geographic is a tremendous honor.
Baet, originally from Ozamis City, Mindanao and now living in England, said she hopes the win will be a launching pad in her career. She plans to put together a photography book.
“I hope I can accomplish that this year pending the right publisher,” she said.
“This book will be a compilation of my blue hour photographs taken in Europe.
“I’ll still be out there shooting just like usual, working hard to make myself better in my craft, and waiting to make my next ‘Rainy Night in Hallstatt.’”
As for whom, she plans on going to the trip with, she doesn’t know yet.
She said she’s just excited and plans to take a lot of photos.
“It will be both a vacation and a photo opportunity. This will be my first time in South America, and I’m excited about hiking up the Incan trail and witnessing the sunrise in Machu Picchu,” she said.
“Other than that, I will also get to see other great cities like Lima and Cusco, experience Peruvian culture and learn more about the history of the Incan empire. Sounds like an exhilarating experience, and definitely a great addition to anyone’s photography portfolio.”
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Mar 30-April 1, 2011 Sec A pg. 1)
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