Several photographers from the Western Plains who took part in this year's Life and Light photo competition say they loved being a part of it and look forward to entering again next year.

The Life and Light photo competition has been around for over 23 years and is run by Western Landcare to help promote and showcase the beauty of the people and landscape that live within the region.

"It is a campaign that is open to people of all ages with the aim to bring together a sense of community and involvement to those that are separated by distance," Local Landcare Coordinator, Western Region Patrick Koo said.

According to Mr Koo, this year's theme of 'Appreciating the Little Things' was originally suggested by the public and had been a fitting theme in the ongoing pandemic, helping people to slow down and observe and appreciate their surroundings.

There were a total of 382 entries across the competition's six categories of Cultural Heritage, Farming and Livestock, Junior (16 or under), Kangaroos in the Landscape, Native Flora and Fauna, and People and Places.

There was also a People's Choice category which was decided through the number of likes for each photo on the competition's Facebook page.

Among the entries were photographers from the townships of Bourke, Brewarrina and Cobar. Though none ended up as overall winners, four were either highly commended or came in second place.

Lara Taylor from Brewarrina was one of these, who came in second in Cultural Heritage for her photo 'The Boys in the Fishway'.

The Boys in the Fishway by Lara Taylor placed second in the Cultural Heritage category. Photo supplied.

Ms Taylor, who used to work for the local paper, said she had been documenting a lot of photos over time but had never considered entering any in a competition before.

"I'd been taking photos in Brewarrina since the water came through in 2020 - I'd been putting them on my Facebook blog and getting a lot of great feedback," Ms Taylor said.

"I then saw the competition and what clinched it for me was how easy it was to submit your photos to enter."

Winners were eventually announced at a special awards night on Thursday 24 June, where all the commended photos were hung up on corrugated iron walls at the RFDSSES Wellbeing Place in Broken Hill.

Ms Taylor said she was very surprised to be a finalist in her category and while she was thrilled, was just honoured to be a part of the awards night.

"It was just lovely being among that group at that place on the night - the award ceremony was wonderful and I felt very included," she said.

Cobar resident Cora McKervy also did well in the competition. The 12 year old submitted several of her best photos from the previous year in the Junior (16 and under).

"I really like to take photos - I like that you can capture things and it just stays there," Cora said.

"We also have this lady who looks after our animals and she had entered (Life and Light) before and won and she told me to try it."

Cora said her favourite photo was 'Peekaboo butterfly' which ended up coming second and 'Good morning!' which was highly commended.

Good Morning by Cora McKervy was highly commended in the competition. Photo supplied.

"It was really exciting when I found out I was a finalist - I wasn't expecting it - but unfortunately I couldn't go to Broken Hill."

Other successful entries included Georgia Bragg from Bourke, who was highly commended for her photo 'Morning in the Yards', and Brewarrina's Tanya Williamson who achieved second place in the Native Flora and Fauna category with 'What ya lookin at'.

Mr Koo said based on feedback from regular sponsors and partners, the quality of this year's photos has been better than previous years, including the ones coming out of Bourke, Brewarrina and Cobar.

"The entries from Bourke, Brewarrina, and Cobar, captured the variety of entrants from all varying spectrums of the age group, and were of high calibre," Mr Koo said.

Both Ms Taylor and Cora expressed an interest in entering the competition when it returns again next year. While Ms Taylor already has a few choices in mind, Cora said she is still keeping an eye out for her next eye-catching moment.

Winning entries will remain on display at the RFDS Wellbeing Place in Broken Hill to help promote the western region.