Lynn resident enters photo contest

LYNN – A photograph that likens Lynn Shore Drive to the winter scene from “Dr. Zhivago” is local photographer Helen Cogan’s entry into the Weather Channel’s It’s Amazing Out There photo contest.It was a brutally cold day just after an equally brutal storm that threw cascades of water and ocean detritus over the seawall, which froze instantly leaving icicles and thick sheets of ice in its wake.”I took the picture just past Red Rock Park,” she said. “I was on the stairs looking up.”With the sun setting in the background, it makes for a striking image that can be seen at the following link: http://wxch.nl/1mCMwGF.Cogan picked up a camera about five years ago as therapy after a tragedy and hasn’t put it down since. More of her photos are on display at www.helencogan.com. She likes shooting the city she grew up in and has lived in all her life, she said.”A lot of people don’t know what Lynn is all about,” she said. “I want to show them my city.”Cogan said she is up against some stiff competition in the Weather Channel contest with entries from all over the world, but she thought it would be fun just to enter and see what happens.A panel of experts will choose a grand prize winner on Aug. 7 and the top prize is $15,000.”I wouldn’t mind that,” Cogan said with a laugh.Chris Stevens may be reached at [email protected].