In this very political city we can't rely on people (and especially the sneaky, machiavellian ones) to ever show their true colours but our city's deciduous trees can be relied upon to do it every autumn.
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The great display of blazing autumn colours that's just beginning, triggering in Canberrans a keen desire to enter The Canberra Times Autumn Photo Competition (details below), is explained scientifically by leaves taking off their green disguises.
Leaves contain chemical pigments, like chlorophyll, that makes them green and help in the process of photosynthesis. But those leaves also contain other chemical colours and notably carotene, which as its name implies imparts carroty, reddy, orangey colours. The leaves' brighter costumes are there all the time but are usually worn underneath the green overgarment of the chlorophyll. But as things become chilly and bleak the chlorophyll breaks down and reveals the other, usually more head-turning pigments within the leaf.
Then, suddenly, as dramatically as if all the drably dressed people of Canberra have put on Hawaiian shirts, our streets and parks are transformed.
So send us your favourite photographs of Canberra's tree-festooned places transformed by autumn and you could win a share of $1000.
All you have to do is capture an autumn scene - an image of Canberra and the surrounding region that shows its spectacular seasonal transformation. Your picture can show your street, your neighbourhood or even your backyard so long as it captures an autumn scene in the region. The best photo wins $500. Second prize wins $350 and third prize is $150.
A selection of entries will be published over the coming weeks in The Canberra Times and online at canberratimes.com.au.
The three winning entries will be revealed in The Canberra Times on Friday, June 8.
Simply send your best snaps, as attached jpeg files, to photocomp@canberratimes.com.au. Entries must include your name, address, phone number, photo title, a brief description and the date the photograph was taken. Photos must be a minimum of 150Kb and a maximum of 1MB. A maximum of three photos per person can be entered.
The competition closes at 4pm on Friday, June 1.
HOW TO ENTER
Send us your favourite photographs of Canberra in autumn and you could win a share of $1000.
All you have to do is capture an autumn scene — an image of Canberra and the surrounding region that shows its spectacular seasonal transformation.
Your picture can show your street, your neighbourhood or even your backyard — so long as it captures an autumn scene in the region.
The best photo wins $500. Second prize wins $350 and third prize is $150.
A selection of entries will be published over the coming weeks in The Canberra Times and online at canberratimes.com.au.
The three winning entries will be revealed in The Canberra Times on Friday, June 8.
Entering The Canberra Times Autumn Photo Competition is easy.
Simply send your best snaps, as attached jpeg files, to photocomp@canberratimes.com.au
Entries must include your name, address, phone number, photo title, a brief description and the date the photograph was taken.
Photos must be a minimum of 150Kb and a maximum of 1MB. A maximum of three photos per person can be entered.
The competition closes at 4pm on Friday, June 1.
