Tessa's picture hits top 10

A portrait by Cape Naturaliste Student Tessa Hennessey has won a spot in the top 10 of a national photography competition.

The Year 12 student’s photograph was selected as a finalist from around 300,000 entries to the secondary school section of the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize.

Titled Torn, the portrait depicts a friend of Tessa as the subject with her eyes covered by a ribbon with the word “lie” written on it and the word “truth” written on her lips.

The photograph was taken as part of a school project revolving around the theme of a ribbon.

Tessa said she wanted to make a commentary on the media and how truth often gets distorted.

“It’s really about how we always speak the truth, but somehow the media manages to manipulate that truth,” she said.

“In all honesty, this was not my favourite picture . . . I did not expect to be selected but it’s nice to know that my work’s appreciated.”

Tessa, who is studying media production and analysis, said her interest in photography started about five years ago after certain types of photography caught her eye while scouring the internet.

“I would love to do something with the media (in the future), I love creativity,” she said.

“I really enjoy taking macro photographs due to the depth of field and focusing on the details in one subject.”