Quitting a job in Sydney to wander the Sapphire Coast taking photos is proving a decision well made for David Rogers.
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Mr Rogers has taken his hobby and passion for photography to new heights since returning to his home on the beautiful Far South Coast in April 2017.
And his impressive shots of the natural beauty in the region is garnering attention far and wide, including Mr Rogers being named feature photographer for Destination NSW this month.
Not only is the featured portfolio of his work a boost for Mr Rogers’ own following, on Instagram for example, it is also a fantastic showcase of the Sapphire Coast to a wider tourism audience.
“A lot of the professional photographers, national and international, all come here to get their shots of Horsehead Rock and Camel Rock, then go home,” Mr Rogers said this week.
“But they say they really want to explore more and this is a way to show them what else is here on the Sapphire Coast.
“I didn’t expect the tourism interest when I started out taking photos, but that’s where there is a lot of demand for content to promote regions.”
With his Destination NSW feature, the good word on the Sapphire Coast and its attractiveness to tourists continues to spread.
“I love it, I have a list full of Australia photographers who I follow and have been influenced by,” Mr Rogers said.
“To have my photos put in there with them is a real milestone for me, and getting feedback from those other photographers is very encouraging.”
Mr Rogers worked in media and publishing in Sydney for 25 years, but always felt the pull of photography and a return to “home”.
“I always wanted to take a year off to concentrate on photography. The circumstances were right earlier this year, so I resigned and have been here since, exploring, up at 4am, hiking – it’s a life of sunrises and sunsets,” he said.
So what makes for a great photograph?
“In terms of lighting, sunrise and sunset you get beautiful soft light and red tones – if you have that red sky at night that’s the ultimate you can ask for.
“Then to bring people in use favourite icons – the wharf, the mountain, something everyone knows and can relate to, that’s a great formula.”
Paper daisies at Tilba
One of David Rogers’ photos in particular caught plenty of attention earlier this year.
It’s a stunning photo of a field of pink and purple paper daisies at Tilba Tilba, with Najanuga (Little Dromedary) in the background.
“That was amazing. I was heading out to hike to the top of Gulaga. I’d only made it 200 metres when I found this field of flowers and it just stopped me in my tracks.
“I found the owner of the farm and got her permission to take photos. She even put me up for the night so I could get some shots at sunrise as well.”
Follow David on Instagram @davey_rogers