GRIMSBY-born photographer Paul Webster, has been announced as this year’s winner of the prestigious Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year award.
Cromdale-based Webster beat off strong competition from thousands of entries submitted by photographers from across the globe to win the prestigious title. His winning portfolio comprised of three magnificently-evocative images shot in the mountain ranges of the Lochaber Geopark and Glen Affric with his Fujifilm digital camera.
They included ‘Dreams and Nightmares’, a shot of light breaking through to light up Aonach Eagach whilst two ravens circled overhead; ‘The Mamores’, capturing the mists shifting past Sgor nam Fiannaidh, above Glen Coe; and ‘Wild Affric’, a tranquil shot of the landscape and the magnificent caledonian pines that surround Loch Affric, dusted by the first snows of the winter.
‘Wild Affric’, also received one of ten awards, sponsored by the John Muir Trust, which owns and manages many of Scotland’s wild places.
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.”
Webster, 43, is no stranger to the Highlands having moved to Scotland 11 years ago with his wife, Helen, where they set up the hugely popular ‘Walkhighlands’ website. It was Paul’s love of Scotland’s landscapes that came first, later leading to his interest in photography to enable him to share with others, and he has since written 14 guidebooks on walking.
In addition to the overall title, The Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year competition consists of 11 other categories, including a range of awards sponsored by supporting organisations that include AcademyClass, Formatt Hitech, Fotospeed, The Isle of Harris Distillery, Loxley Colour, Caledonian MacBrayne, Historic Scotland and the John Muir Trust.
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.
The competition, now in its fourth year, is the brainchild of Perthshire-based landscape photographer, Stuart Low, who put it together to promote and inspire photographers of all levels to explore Scotland’s stunning landscapes, and to promote Scotland’s natural, cultural and historic heritage to an international audience. Winning entries will be published in a series of public exhibitions across Scotland and in a special edition book that will be launched on 27th March 2018.
Stuart Low, head judge of the competition said: “The competition is now firmly established, not only in the UK but right across the globe. 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.
“Even the exhibitions play their part, boosting numbers to galleries, small cafes and bookshops for example. The photographers benefit too, with some going on to win commissions, sell prints and produce their own books and we’re all the richer for more choice of talent to hang on our walls. I’m genuinely thrilled for all concerned and looking forward to this year once again.”
Find out more at www.slpoty.co.uk
Notes for editors:
CONTACT – Stuart Low e: slpotycompetition@gmail.com m: 07455 215312
Book
The Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year – Collection 4 by Breeze Media. £27.
ISBN: 978-0-9935413-3-9
On sale at www.slpoty.co.uk/shop
Categories
The competition has five major categories, sponsored by Academy Class and Formatt Hitech:
Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year (overall award)
Young Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year
Landscape Award
Seascape Award
Urban Award
Four Seasons Awards
Scottish Weather Award
In addition, the competition has four sponsor awards: Four sponsor awards
Isle of Harris Distillery – Hebridean Light Award
Loxley Colour – Your Vision Award
Caledonian McBrayne Spirit of the Sea Award
Historic Environment Scotland Protected Places Award
John Muir Trust Wild Places Awards – (x10)
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Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year Awards contact details…
Contact: Stuart Low
Email: slpotycompetition@gmail.com
