Tambellup’s top copper a Humble snapper

Spoilt for choice between the rugged south coast, Stirling Range and what seems to be endless scenic farmland, there is no surprise the Great Southern is teeming with photographers. Even though he tries not to, one Great Southern snapper stands out from the rest. For Tambellup police officer in charge Sgt Josh Humble, getting behind the lens offers a rare escape from the demands and challenges of his day job. “It’s a release from work. It’s a great little town here in Tambellup, but you’re still always the copper and officer in charge of the station and town,” Sgt Humble said. “Obviously, being the OIC in town, you’re limited to how often you can get away from the area. “So when I’m out taking photos, in those moments I feel like I’m out there in nature and I just love it.” In a line of work in which conflict and danger are part of the job, capturing the serene beauty of nature is a nice change of pace. Sgt Humble has had a passion for photography for years, but he admits that passion has turned into a “mild obsession”. Until recently, Sgt Humble was equipped with only his Samsung smartphone to pursue his passion. Now he is armed with a “proper” camera, photography drone and a few lenses he inherited from his in-laws. “I purchased a camera in February this year, a proper Canon camera, so I’m now trying to learn the skills of photography and get better at it,” he said. “I guess I aspire to be like some of the top photographers on Instagram and Facebook. It’s early days, but I’m having fun.” He had plans to take his hobby to the next level, including a photography tour of Tasmania, but those plans have been derailed by the COVID-19 crisis. “I’ve got my 40th this year, so my present to myself was to go on one of those tours, but it’s probably going to be delayed until next year now,” Sgt Humble said. For the time being, he will have to settle for the Great Southern. “It’s just an area that’s meant to be photographed,” he said. “It’s just phenomenal. The scenery is unbelievable. Every moment I get really, I’m out and about around Tambellup, Broomehill and Stirling Range — anything in the Great Southern region that I can get to if I’ve got the time.”