Chris Lord and Karen Martin from Lord Martin Photography kindly judged the competition and donated the winning photograph as a canvas along with Champagne and Chocolates donated by English Lakes Hotels. Chris Lord said “it was a pleasure to be invited to judge the ELH photographic competition. With such high standards and several close contenders, choosing an outright winner was a challenge. We are pleased to contribute towards the Open Arms International Charity by donating a canvas reproduction of the winning image, which was chosen based upon its creativity, colour, texture and form.”
The winner and runners up photos are displayed below and all entries can be seen here.
Winner
Rydal Cave - Russell Lewington
Chris Lord selected this photograph from a selection of over 125 entries because it shows the creative ability to see a picture which many people would overlook or pass-by. The image has interesting colours and textures which together with the chosen placement of the reflection line near the bottom of the frame gives a beautiful abstract effect. Also, by filling the frame with a continuous pattern adds a sense of enquiry about the scale of the picture and the actual size of the rock.
Rydal Cave is a disused slate mine set in the mountains over looking Rydal water in the Lake District. Russell captured this photograph from within the mouth of the cave. Without a tripod he used a stay hand and rocks on the ground to take the shot while setting a high shutter speed to capture the reflection of the rock face in the water.
Runners Up
Sheep - Martin Pospisil
The image gives a good sense of depth through the use of narrow depth of field throwing the background out of focus. Definition is also added by the sun backlighting the sheep’s wool. Careful exposure control has been used to prevent the face and body of the sheep becoming a silhouette whilst shooting into the sun.
This photo was taken in February on the meadow just above Low Wood. Martin said "he was sitting waiting for the sheep to come closer, but it was the closest distance I could get. Then it went in a fast pace toward me with an angry look and I realised it was the right time to get out before it would charge me. Not sure if sheep can attack you but it wasn't worthy of trying!".
Orrest Head - Ayako Suzuki
The people and the bench add interest to what would otherwise be a standard “postcard” type shot and adds a sense of enquiry as to why a bench should be out there in what otherwise seems a desolate landscape; why are the people there and how did they get there and what are they sitting thinking about? Composition is good with the people and bench well placed so you can see what they are looking at in the distance.
Sent in on behalf of Ayako by Colin Fox this photograph was taken at Orrest Head above the town of Windermere is considered by many to be the best viewpoint over Lake Windermere. At 784 feet, some excellent views over the surrounding area can be had from its summit.
Morning at Lanty’s Tarn - Paul Ray
Good composition with foreground hills balanced both sides and triangular shapes leading the viewer into the centre of the picture and towards the distant hills. Pleasing mixture of saturated foreground colour offsetting the chill of the snow covered distant hills.Paul took this on his introduction to Fell Walking. “Stefan at Low Wood told me it was only a small hill, we were out for about 7 hours walking!”
“The photo was taken at mid morning on 24th January 2010, at Lanty's Tarn on the foot path leading to 'Hole in Wall'. Looking at the photo you can see St.Sundays Crag on the left, moving right - Dolly Wagon Pike, wind was blowing East to West. The temperature was 2 degrees dropping to -4/5 on Helvellyn.”
Low Wood Jetty - Stephen Slater
A popular shot, but in this case done with especially good composition. The photographer has clearly gone to some effort to ensure a level horizon and to get the pier and canon geometrically in the centre of the picture. The snow and slightly misty lake add emphasis to the wooden pillars highlighting the two lead-in lines guiding the viewer to the canon as the point of interest.
Stephen took this photo late morning while staying at
the Low Wood Hotel. "When I saw the frost, and the mist over the lake I
knew it would make a good photo as it was so beautiful. I'm not a photographer by
any means but I always try to get my target right in the centre of the shot and
as level as possible, ie the horizon etc, and I think this helped with the
perspective of the jetty".
The Midland – Tammy Wilkinson
Although this photograph is not strictly “Lake District” it was chosen because of a good composition, using the wall and path as lead-lines to guide the viewer into the picture and to add perspective. It is an interesting arrangement of geometric lines with the curves of the wall flowing into the curvature of the building. The parallel lines of the steps also mimic the parallel lines of the balconies.Tammy took this photograph from the stone pier behind the Midland on quite a blustery day in May. “My husband and I were there on a day out to celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. I had been talking shots of the boats and the lifeboat centre when I turned around and took a quick shot of the hotel. When I got home I noticed how all the clouds were swirling in above the hotel”.
About the Judges
Lord Martin Photography is Chris Lord and Karen Martin who specialize in Wedding and Lifestyle Portrait photography for the discerning client. Based in Cumbria, their style is to capture stunning images of people incorporating the Lakeland landscapes. For further information visit their web site and blog at http://www.lordmartin.com
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