Local amateur photographers named winners in WWT Castle Espie photography competition
Six local amateur photographers have picked up awards in the regional Spring heat of WWT’s Photography Competition 2011–2012, held in celebration of the Scott Antarctic Expedition Centenary, and in association with Canon.
Keen photographers have been snapping away in the hope their photographs will make the cut among the thousands entered. Locals picked up all five awards in the WWT Castle Espie region, with a Newtonabbey man scooping two category awarded in the WWT London Wetland Centre region.
At WWT Castle Espie, 40 year old Richie Lort from Bangor, Co. Down , who is also a WWT member, was selected as the winner of the regional Wetland Wildlife category, for his photograph entitled ‘Dunlin’. Ritchie dreams that one day his hobby will become a serious profession, he said: “WWT centres helps all photographers with news of the latest sightings, it is just patience that will finally help you succeed. I decided the image I took down at the Saltmarsh East at WWT Castle Espie had something different which would catch the judges’ eye. I am delighted that my image has been selected and that my photographs are being made accessible for people to enjoy.”
The regional Wetland Landscapes category was won by Rev Colin White from Belfast, with his photograph entitled ‘Towards the Saltmarsh’; and the regional Wildlife & People category was awarded to Martin Magill from Carrickfergus, with his photograph entitled ‘Lucas on the Lookout’.
15 year old Paul Pruzina from Comber, was named regional Young Photographer for the Spring heat with his photograph entitled ‘Life in Black and White’.
David Lowe, a 52 year old paramedic from Crossgar, has been interested in photography as long as he can remember. His photograph entitled ‘On Your Marks Get Set’ gained nearly 800 votes through the WWT website to earn him the title of winner of the regional People’s Choice category.
John Doherty, a retired primary school teacher from Newtonabbey, entered the regional heat at WWT London Wetland Centre and won not only but also the Wetland Wildlife category with his photograph ‘Ramshorn Snail’, but also the People’s Choice category for his photograph entitled ‘Canada Goose’. John said: “I love the fact that WWT centres are not just about birds, it is amazing what you can see when you walk around.”
Debbie McCamphill, WWT Castle Espie Centre Manager highlighted, “The quality of the entries from these six fantastic winners caught the judges’ eye and really brought our local WWT wetland centre to life. The competition encourages people to get really close to all the fantastic wildlife we have here at the centre; and these stunning images show off the most elegant and colourful array of birds, insects and other animals seen during the summer.
These winning images will go forward to the grand national finals to be held in the autumn, where they will be presented to a panel of judges, including BBC Springwatch presenter, Chris Packham. There are a host of fantastic prizes for the national winners, including birding and photography breaks, and activity holidays.
The Summer, and final, heat of the WWT photography competition is now open, and photographers can enter their prize pictures taken at WWT centres online at www.wwt.org.uk/photo until the closing date of 31 August 2012.
If you have entered your photographs into two of the previous heats in the competition, this is your last opportunity to be in with a chance of winning the grand prize of a spectacular 12 day exploration trip to Antarctica, courtesy of Exodus in partnership with Quark Expeditions. To find out more, please visit www.wwt.org.uk/photo.
