(“Rise and Shine”: The prize-winning
photograph)
Duncan
John Fraser, a third year student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT),
snapped up first prize in the Gooderson Leisure Photographic competition with his
image titled Rise and Shine.
His
evocative photograph which looks over New Pier towards the Moses Mabhida
Stadium perfectly captured the magic of Durban’s beautiful Golden Mile,
according to Gail McCann-Westphal, Marketing and Sales Manager of Gooderson
Leisure. Students were tasked with capturing the beachfront lifestyle that is
fundamental to the Tropicana Hotel Experience.
The 168
room hotel, which is something of a landmark on Durban’s Marine Parade, offers
panoramic views with guests waking up to the sun rising over the breakers or
looking out as the sun sets and the lights of the beachfront dot the evening
sky.
Gail
McCann-Westphal said the third year DUT students would now take photographs of
the Tropicana Hotel itself as part of their syllabus and they would be marked
on their photographs. “We look forward to making this a long term relationship
with students photographing some of our other picturesque resorts as part of an
annual competition,” she said.
Fraser,
who is “proudly Durban” and passionate about photography was thrilled to be
chosen as the winner. “Life is Short. Live your dream and wear your passion,” he
said as he advised other young people to follow their hearts as he had done. He
said his studies at DUT had not only provided him with a camera-eye-view of
various different types of photography, but also introduced him to many
interesting people.
“I love
photography and wild life. I come from a very close middle class family of
five. I am lucky enough to have family who believe in my talents as a
photographer,” he adds.
His
passion for photography began during Grade 9 at Westville Boys High School.
“The school had a basic photography department,” he says.”I became very
involved in sports photography and spent many weekends taking photos at school
sports events. I taught myself with the aid of the art teacher. In matric, I
was the head photographer and helped the school to set up one of the biggest
photography departments in the country.”
Once he
has finished his studies, Fraser sees himself travelling the world, seeing new
things and meeting new people – camera in hand, of course!
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