Hall of Fame Winners Archive - 2017
Stephen Whitehorne, Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2017
© Stephen Whitehorne - Autumnal Birches and Willows reflected
among the Water Lilies of Polney Loch, Dunkeld, Perthshire
Stephen said: "Increasingly,
I have been focused more on the details of the Scottish landscape rather
than in its grand vistas or distant panoramas. Natures mysteries and
ambiguities are what intrigue me most, with distortions and abstractions
through reflection becoming recurrent themes. Polney Loch, an unassuming,
relatively unspectacular expanse of water near Dunkeld, is an oasis of calm
and tranquillity among the trees and where the elements I seek in a composition
seem to come most perfectly together. The loch has become one of my favourite
locations.
"It was at the end of a glorious afternoon last October, with my camera
pointing down at the water once more, that I became aware of an increasing
intensity to the glow of the surface reflections. The glancing, autumn sunlight
illuminated the bankside trees opposite and rendered a perfectly reflected
image among the lily pads. Up until that point I had been captivated by
what was happening on the surface but, for this moment at least, I could
not ignore the bigger picture.
"I knew I had captured a striking photograph but I was totally unprepared
on receiving the call to tell me that the image had won not only the Scottish
Landscape the Land category but also the overall title of Scottish
Nature Photographer of the Year 2017! In my 30 years as a photographer I
had not, until 2015, entered any photographic competitions. Therefore, it
was all the more surprising to have achieved this prestigious accolade now,
especially following on from winning the top award for a Photography Portfolio
(also depicting Scotlands trees) at last years RHS Chelsea Flower
Show."
Andrew Bulloch (Age 15) Junior
Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2017
© Andrew
Bulloch - Eriskay Football Pitch
Andrew said: "I was extremely shocked to discover I had won the
Junior category of the Scottish Nature Photography Awards, and even more
so since it was the second year in a row! It is quite an honour. I was 15
years old when I took this photo but had been taking landscape images for
a couple of years, in fact since I was first shortlisted in the competition
in 2015.
"This years photo was taken on a family holiday to North Uist
in the summer of 2017. We drove south to Eriskay on a stormy day and I saw
this little football pitch down below the road. We stopped so I could get
a photo and then I just had to go and play football on it as well. Very
recently I found out it was featured by FIFA as one of the eight most unique
places to play football in the world!"
Rebecca Witt, Student Scottish
Nature Photographer of the Year 2017
BA (Hons) Marine & Natural History Photography, Falmouth University
© Rebecca Witt - Cairngorms
Woodland Wildlife Portfolio
© Rebecca Witt - Cairngorms
Woodland Wildlife Portfolio
© Rebecca Witt - Cairngorms
Woodland Wildlife Portfolio
Rebecca said:
"Nature has always been close to my heart, and from a young age I have
had a great appreciation for Britain's wildlife. To have the opportunity
to visit Scotland and spend a week in the Cairngorms National Park was truly
magical, and an experience I shall never forget.
"All three images represent the variety of beautiful woodland wildlife
that I was able to see during my time in Scotland. Each animal captivated
my wonder and awe, and it was wonderful to experience and witness them all
in their natural environment.
"It is a huge honour to be selected as the overall winner in the Student
Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2017. I am very thrilled, humbled,
and thankful to be recognised by such an experienced and well renowned panel
of judges. It really is a fantastic way to finish my final year at Falmouth
University."
Andrew
Macdonald,Winner
Scottish Nature Video Award 2017
Reforesting
Planet Caledon ©
Andrew Macdonald.
Music Jemima Thewes. Narrator Ian Perks (RSPB).
Andrew said: "In
2016 I could see that advances in 360 camera and Virtual Reality viewing
technology presented interesting virtual tourism opportunities for my business,
Exhibit Scotland, and also my work supporting people, raising equalities
and improving well-being.
"Reforesting Planet Caledon was crafted with footage shot to
create a new 360 visitor experience of the RSPB Abernethy reserve. The "Abernethy"
360 experience was released at the Royal Highland Show 2017 and is a suite
of short films enabling staff to engage people with unique perspectives
on the story and wildlife of RSPB Abernethy.
"I am very happy to
be selected for 1st prize in the Scottish Nature Video Award. I would like
to thank Jemima Thewes (www.jemimathewes.co.uk) for her musical input into
the winning film, Ian Perks (RSPB) for his narrative and my continued gratitude
goes to everyone who has assisted my 360 degree film adventures so far."
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