Well known Benalla photographer, and regular Ensign contributor Rene Martens, recently won photographer of the year in the Golden Camera Award.
He took out the prize for a photo of the Benalla-Monash bridge in the Night Photography category.
The Golden Camera Awards are held by the Universe of Colour Photography, which offers an online platform to offer an easy way for professional and amateur photographers to publish their work.
It currently has more than 55,000 contributing photographers.
Mr Martens said he took the winning photo in March last year.
“I got off the set as an extra for the film being (shot) out in Winton Wetlands and it was too late to go to bed but too early to go home, so I stopped at the Benalla-Monash bridge and grabbed a few photos,” Mr Martens said.
“It did get an award for photo of the month (but) I didn't think much of it then.
“However, today I received an email to say that I had been one of the people chosen to be the photographer of the year and put into the Hall of Fame.
“I don't get many awards these days — mainly because I don't enter many competitions.
“(But) it is always good to get some recognition at times for the photos I take,” he said.
Congratulations from everyone at the Ensign.