Winners announced in SNH fifth annual Nature Photography Competition

Three amateur photographers from across Scotland have triumphed in the 5th annual Nature Photography Competition run by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

SNH wanted to hold a photo contest with a difference this year, so asked entrants to explain how their photos showed the gifts of nature. Entries were then judged by the photographs and the contestants’ explanations of what their photos meant to them.

Zeshan Akhter, a SNH biodiversity officer who organises the contest, says: ‘The pictures, and our winners’ words, show how beautiful places and wildlife can move us and make our lives better and more meaningful. Nature gives us so many gifts every day – actually, every moment and every breath we take. But it’s easy to take nature for granted. These pictures are a brilliant reminder of how important nature is to us all.’

The witty winning photograph  – shown here – was taken by Jennifer Sanger of Pitlochry – a reflection of a summer day’s sky reflected perfectly in a loch, with her colourful shoes edging into the picture.

Jennifer said of her entry: ‘This picture is special to me because the sky is so clear in the water, and it looks like I could just step right into it. Wherever I go in life the landscape will change, the creatures will be different and the sounds will be new. But looking up at the sky always reminds me that it is all part of the same picture.’

Catherine Clark of Inverness won second place for a picture of a gannet offering a feather to its mate at Bass Rock. Catherine said of her entry: ‘A sense of awe and amazement overcame me as we approached the rock, which was alive with thousands and thousands of gannets. Watching these pairs bond in this way allowed me to connect with nature in my own way – something that is often neglected in these modern times.’

In third place was keen surfer James York of Edinburgh, who caught the moment as a wave bathed in golden light rolls in. James said: ‘The light, the water, the grass, the space. All singing nature’s silent harmony. Broken only by the click of the shutter.’

The contest is part of SNH celebrations of Scottish Biodiversity Week, which takes place in May every year. The contest is open every year to both amateur and professional photographers.

Proof of SNH’s commitment to a serious competition was in the serious prizes awarded to the winners.

• First prize  – for Jennifer – was a one-to-one tutorial with a professional photographer.
• Second prize – for Catherine – was an Olympus E-450 Digital SLR camera.
• Third prize – for James – was a Panasonic Lumix F245 Digital Camera and a Hama Star tripod.

The winners’ photographs will be showcased on the SNH website (don’t look yet – as of 13.00 on 4th October,they’re not there yet) and will be displayed at a venue to be confirmed later this year.