Lake District Photography Competition Winners

The Lake District – our home and host to almost 15 million visitors each year. Spectacular landscapes, dramatic scenery, the highest mountain and the deepest lake. A haven for walkers, climbers, paddlers, sailors, artists, families and photographers! We asked you to send us your photographs and we have been overwhelmed by the breadth and scope of what your lens’ have captured.

With over 200 images covering a huge range of subjects in our recent Facebook competition, Stuart Holmes, professional photographer and author of Photographing The Lake District has had a mammoth task selecting his top three. The results are in…

The decision making process

With such a range of high quality entries, Stuart used the following criteria to choose the below winners:

1. Any of the winning photos could have been taken with any type of camera, the emphasis with good photography is being in the right place at the right time, it really is not about the equipment.
2. Conditions on the day have played a major part in most of the winning and highly commended photos. Again, the photographer in each case has recognised the special quality of the light and made the most of it.
3. The ‘I want to be there’ aspect. All of these photographs give me a longing to be there experiencing that view, those conditions, that adventure.

First Place Winner: The Long Walk

A fabulous simple but effective shot, very much a case of being in the right place at the right time. The two figures are essential for the strength of the image, their position right on the crest of the ridge is important. The timing of the shot where both walkers legs are visible shows they are walking up the slope. They also occur at the intersection of the left hand and lower thirds and they are walking into the image. Converting to monochrome simplifies the image further.

Ian has won a 2 night break at Low Wood Bay, a Lake District photography session and a signed copy of the book.

Second Place: Ullswater Dawn

What a gorgeous scene and beautifully composed. The foreground rocks catching the first rays of sun, the ribbon lake of Ullswater and the low lying cloud beyond drawing you into the picture and some interesting clouds above completing the picture.

John has won Afternoon Tea for 2 people at Low Wood Bay and a signed copy of the book.

Third Place: Dawn on Buttermere

Buttermere summer. A beautiful simple composition. The tight crop and excluding the sky means the viewers attention is on the trees and Char Hut.

Nicola has won as signed copy of Photographing The Lake District.

Highly Commended (in no particular order)

We received such a huge number of high quality entries it made it so difficult to choose just three winners, below are some of our highly commended entries…

This is a great selfie. To me the photo says: my feet and legs have just climbed Striding Edge.

I suspect this person may have taken the odd few photos before! Beautifully composed and sharp from front to back. A simple but very effective composition.

Beautiful lighting conditions and a very dramatic mountain scene. Great composition.

Another very simple but beautiful composition showing that often less is more. It’s also a good reminder that even if it’s misty and looking rubbish for photography, magic can happen any time. Keep your eyes on the weather forecast.

Wasdale fields. This is the classic view from the slopes of Great Gable. The sun illuminating the field and wall patterns really makes this image, all beautifully and naturally framed by the dark fells around. Your eye is naturally drawn into the frame to the end of Wastwater.

The Lake District has some classic jetty photo potential. This is a great one with just subtle hints of background and cloud pattern. The jetty is emphasised by the misty lake, it’s almost 3D. This is a result of very careful framing, nicely done.

Red sky at night is a photographer’s delight. Great use of the foreground rocks and the rule of thirds. Beautiful.

Photography is about having fun. This photo says just that. Clever use of multiple images.

This is the Lake District. A stunning day in a beautiful part of the world and very well captured.

Beautifully composed and superb autumn colours. The submerged gate and fence reflections add the necessary foreground interest. Stunning.

Photographing The Lake District

Thank you to Stuart Holmes for judging the all entries and for providing feedback. Further photography tips on location and technique are available in the book, Photographing The Lake District. Copies are now available to purchase at Low Wood Bay reception for £25.00.