From craggy cliff faces to snow-capped mountains: The truly STUNNING winning images from the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year contest
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19:15 2018-03-07
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Evocative images of Scotland’s mountains shrouded in mist and snow have come top in the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year contest.
Paul Webster, from Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire, fought off strong competition from thousands of entries from across the globe to win the prestigious title.
Together, his winning portfolio comprises three incredible shots of the mountain ranges of the Lochaber Geopark and Glen Affric.
Winner: Nigel Morton won the weather category with his striking image of a rainbow soaring by Loch Clair, Glen Torridon. Reflected in the water and yet obscured by clouds, it’s a remarkable snapshot of nature’s implicit complexity
They include Dreams and Nightmares, a shot of light breaking through to light up Aonach Eagach whilst two ravens circle overhead.
Another picture, The Mamores, captures the mists shifting past Sgor nam Fiannaidh, above Glen Coe.
Whilst Wild Affric is a tranquil shot of the landscape and the magnificent Caledonian pines that surround Loch Affric, dusted by the first snows of the winter.
Paul said: ‘When I got the telephone call, I was honestly just astonished to be told I’d won.
‘There are so many landscape photographers I really admire that enter this competition, and to have come out on top is just unbelievable – I’m thrilled.’
Wow-factor: Supplied by Damian Shields, this incredible image shows waves crashing against the craggy cliffs of Yesnaby, Sandwick, Orkney. Interestingly, the sky is naturally divided by dark, brooding clouds and bright blue skiesRunner-up: Alex Nail, who narrowly missed-out on the winner’s title, scored praise for this symmetrical snap of Sgurr Eilde Mor in a full winter coat as it catches the first sunshine of the day. The patterns on the lake are formed by windblown snowThe sky’s the limit: This picture by Craig McDearmid shows winter skies at Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt. Here, an atmospheric night at the ruins mix with the Northern Lights and the Milky Way above…Winner: Michael Stirling-Aird won the Autumn category for this picture showing the River Garry in Killiecrankie, Perthshire. The rich hues of the leaves are off-set by monochromatic water beneath it, creating a dramatic colour palette
Webster, 43, is no stranger to the Highlands having moved to Scotland 11 years ago with his wife Helen, where they set up the popular Walkhighlands website.
There are 11 categories in the annual Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition, which is now in its fourth year.
One of the new awards introduced for this year’s competition was the ‘Scottish Weather’ award, judged by BBC weather presenter and news anchor Anne Lundon.
Bright young things: Grant Ritchie’s contribution shows shows summer lightning over Stenhouse, Edinburgh.Mark McGillivray’s entry shows Rawyards Park, Airdrie, north Lanarkshire. There, a couple sit beside Rob Mulholland’s Skytower sculpture, silhouetted by wonderful sunset colours. The sculpture is constructed from hundreds of welded wire rods and was designed in conjunction with local primary schools.Moody: This dramatic black-and-white image by Richie Johns shows an early morning in Glencoe in all its natural glory. The naked tree stretching out into the centre of the image adds an eerie element to this sweeping landscape shotAnother winner: This remarkable image by Chris Jones, called Two Trees in Rogart, Sutherland, shows a pair of snow-covered trees lit up by the warm golden light at sunset. It scooped him the top accolade in the competition’s Winter categoryA moment in time: Packed with an instant sense of nostalgia, this simple image by David Mould shows Ballinton, Thornhill, in Stirlingshire, during daybreak. A dog-walker is seen navigating one of the country roads, while cows graze in a nearby fieldSuccess story: This attention-grabbing photograph by Richard Clarkson shows Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve, near Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway. Thanks to its liquid-like appearance it won the competition’s fiercely fought Summer categoryVictory image: Part of overall winner Paul Webster’s submission, this image – The Mamores – depicts the light and shade and illuminating the Mamores ridge, with a mist-shrouded Ben Nevis behind…
The contest was started by Stuart Low, from Perthshire, who put it together to promote and inspire photographers of all levels to explore Scotland’s stunning landscapes, and to show off Scotland’s natural, cultural and historic heritage to an international audience.
The winning entries will be published in a series of public exhibitions across Scotland and in a special edition book.
Stuart Low, head judge, said: ‘The competition is now firmly established, not only in the UK but right across the globe.
Exceptional: Runner-up Alex Nail produced this remarkable snapshot of the hill Quinag in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands. The positioning of the light provides focus on the peaks, while the brooding skies add a sense of forebodingMore magic: Also part of Alex Nail’s entry, this photograph – entitled Grey and Gold – exposes sunlight striking a lochan of golden grasses with Suilven commanding presence in the distance. This image helped to secure Alex’s runner-up title…Too good to be true? Although it may look digitally-enhanced, this picture owes its full-bodied character to nature. It shows a decaying shipwreck captured on a late summers evening in July 2016 on Longniddry Beach, East LothianCritically-acclaimed: Martin Santbergen’s submission of a snowstorm in the Cairngorms National Park has similar qualities to a classic painting and is testament to Scotland’s heavily-defined seasons
‘It’s evolved and diversified too. This year, we’ve seen more photographers shooting on traditional film and some have even submitted entries using historical photographic processes, like cyanotypes, which date back to the 1790s, so it’s been very interesting to judge.
‘The competition does a lot of good too. The images that the photographers capture of our iconic, and even unseen places, promote tourism and the book that showcases the winning images adds to that.
‘Acting as a brochure for Scotland’s amazing places, it inspires visitors to follow in the footsteps of the photographers so they can experience the views for themselves.’
‘It’s evolved and diversified too. This year, we’ve seen more photographers shooting on traditional film and some have even submitted entries using historical photographic processes, like cyanotypes, which date back to the 1790s, so it’s been very interesting to judge. ‘The competition does a lot of good too. The images that the photographers capture of our iconic, and even unseen places, promote tourism and the book that showcases the winning images adds to that. ‘Acting as a brochure for Scotland’s amazing places, it inspires visitors to follow in the footsteps of the photographers so they can experience the views for themselves.’
Second success: Jeanie Lazenby also won the Landscape category with this picture, called Ever Changing Light. Loch Bad A’Ghaill, Inverpolly. Sunshine, showers, rainbows and midges were all in abundance on this particular evening when capturing some delightful light across Loch Bad a’Ghaill in Inverpolly
Another winning entry by Paul Webster: Showing Aonach Eagach, above Glen Coe, Paul said a bright and crisp sunny day had been forecast, but any initial disappointment about the dark clouds evaporated when this view along the ridge was suddenly revealed, with two ravens circling the summit
Dive in: This dream-like image by Martin Steele shows an Incoming squall at Elgol, Isle of Skye, and instantly commands attention thanks to its rich colour contrasts and combination of the elementsWild Affric: Another winning entry by Paul Webster. The native Caledonian pinewoods have helped Affric secure its reputation as Scotland’s most beautiful glen. Here the An Tudar ridge rises above the still waters of Loch Affric on a cold day in winterWhere worlds collide: Supplied by Luca Benini, this sublime photograph shows rain over Nest Point, Skye, which is famed for its remarkable vistas. This image also teases an obscured skyline of the Outer HebridesScaling new heights: This eye-popping capture by Brian Clark shows morning mist on Lochaber Near Inchlaggan. The trees piercing the fog provides an enhanced sense of perspective and scale for the viewerBack to nature: Here, Ian Biggs’ attention-grabbing submission illustrates reeds in the misty Lochan an Daim, Schiehallion, where a long-standing tree struggles to be seen in the distance…
‘It’s evolved and diversified too. This year, we’ve seen more photographers shooting on traditional film and some have even submitted entries using historical photographic processes, like cyanotypes, which date back to the 1790s, so it’s been very interesting to judge.
