Hall of Fame Winners Archive - 2023
Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2023
(& Scottish Botanical category winner):
Charles Everitt - Lily of the Valley
© Charles Everitt - Lily of the Valley
Charles said: "I was absolutely delighted and incredibly honoured to win both the Scottish Botanical Category and the Scottish Nature Photography Awards 2023 competition, and I would like to thank the judges for picking my image. The contest remains Scotland’s premier nature photography competition, and to win it for a second time is a true privilege.
"Since discovering wild flower photography several years ago, I have found it a totally absorbing and creative photographic genre that makes room for some artistic expression. I have been aware of the beautiful lily of the valley flower for some time but have never seen it growing in the wild. A native of Europe, lily of the valley is a woodland flowering species but highly poisonous if consumed by humans or animals. The plant is also known as Our Lady’s tears, which perhaps reflects the delicate form of the flowers. In 2023, I learned of a Lothian wood where the species grew and visited in spring to try to capture the essence of this wonderful little flower."
Judge Espen Helland said: "This is a beautifully made image where the framing of the flower has been carefully considered. The blurred-out foreground leads the eye directly to the drooping flower, which is also carefully placed in front of the slightly brighter green background. The brightness of the background and the hint of texture of life in the undergrowth also helped draw me right into this image."
Junior Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2023
Gabriela Hamza
(age 12)
- Odd One Out
© Gabriela Hamza - Odd One Out
Gabriela said: "I was thrilled and really happy to find out that my photo had been picked by the judges as the winner.
"I took Odd One Out on a summer evening walk in my local park in the Scottish Borders. The lone red poppy was surrounded by a big group of yellow flowers, and it just caught my eye. I loved the way that the poppy was highlighted in this picture and framed by the old fence. I always really enjoy late-evening walks in the summer because the light is beautiful and you never know what you might see!"
Judge Eilidh Cameron said: “It was a tough decision to pick the winner in this category with so many stunning entries. Gabriela's photo caught our attention not just for its beauty but also for the artistic vision behind it.”
Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2023
Claire Tytler
– Life in the City
Portfolio
BA (Hons) Fine Art, University of Dundee (DJCAD)
©
Claire Tytler - Life in the City
Portfolio
©
Claire Tytler - Life in the City
Portfolio
©
Claire said: "I was not expecting to win this award, and I am very honoured and grateful to have been chosen by the judges to win Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year!
"My portfolio, Life in the City, is a series of photographs that explore nature in the setting of a city, specifically Dundee, where I am currently studying after moving from Renfrewshire. I wanted to show how nature and wildlife can adapt and live in a densely populated human space, so I wandered around the city looking at how nature exists there. My photographs focused on the small and often overlooked nature that we exist alongside, from a simple tree that could not be left alone without the presence of humans being left in its bark, a curious pigeon that was safely up out of the reach of humans watching as people go about their everyday lives, and a small plant that was able to adapt and use human infrastructure to make its home. It really shows how we humans coexist with nature in our everyday lives without really noticing it, even in our busiest spaces.
"It was also just fun to explore the city of Dundee in a much more extensive way than I had previously, and with this being my 4th and final year at university and in Dundee, it really allowed me to appreciate the details of Dundee in a new light while also allowing me to continue to practise my photography skills."
Judge Niall Irvine said: "The judges liked Claire's interpretation of coexistence within a city. The portfolio highlights small details that we pass by every day, yet they are interwoven with our lives. A very worthy winner of the Student Scottish Nature Photography Award."
Libby Penman, Winner Scottish
Nature Video Award 2023
The King of the Kelvin © Libby Penman
Libby said: "I'm very chuffed with the 1st place in the video category. Thanks so much!! The sequence I put together, The King of the Kelvin, features a kingfisher in Glasgow. This merely 15cm tall, lightning-quick, wee bird was my wildlife arch nemesis for a long time...
"So after many failed attempts, it was just great to finally start getting photos and video clips I was happy with. I've spent so much time watching and filming this bird that now, when I spot it along the river, it's actually like running into an old friend. So I'm very glad the judges enjoyed the footage, and I hope other people will too!"
Judge Eilidh Cameron said: "Libby's video had lovely storytelling, which we enjoyed. It was beautifully shot and the perfect example of simplicity in film."
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