Teeghan Starkey, Beautiful Backburn (JUNIOR 2026)

As many Australians know, bushfires can be absolutely lethal. The act of backburning provides properties with the safety barrier they need for the Queensland bushfires that can sweep their deadly hand across thousands of acres in such a short period of time. At a friend's house, they were preparing for the bushfire season and, as any photographer would, I whipped out my camera and began taking photos. The smoke was thick and choking but the outcome was beautiful. My image has had no editing.

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