Perspective

The Great Outdoors

This competition has now closed.

Winners

1st
Mary Auckland
Into the Okavango
2nd
The Eyes
Raju Das
3rd
Big Sky
Alan Warriner

Commended

It has been shown time and time again that spending time outdoors is good for our health. Scientists have proven that nature not only encourages physical exercise and increases social interaction, but can even provide stress relief and help soothe mental illness.
As humans we are hard wired to enjoy being outside and it is a sad fact that today’s generations spend far less time outdoors than previous generations. Technology has taken over and we often find ourselves preoccupied with devices and gadgets rather than exploring what the great outdoors has to offer.
Photography is one pursuit that allows us to combine technology with being in our natural environment. Taking photographs of your time outside can be exciting, cathartic, relaxing or exhilarating.
From stunning landscape photographs that capture the beauty of the natural world, to dramatic wildlife photos that shows wild animals in their natural habitat, the great outdoors has so much to offer.
We’re looking for images of craggy hilltops, vast grasslands, moorland paths, sandy beaches, forests and woodland scenes and flowery meadows. Whatever the great outdoors means to you.
We want you to capture your countryside capers and outdoor adventures. Think mountaineering, hiking, rambling, climbing, caving and kite flying. Or maybe sailing, canoeing and paddle boarding is more your kind of thing.
For those who prefer a more relaxing experience, maybe you can capture the serenity of the great outdoors through your images of picnics, camping, foraging, fishing, cycling or bird watching.
The great outdoors is a theme that offers a vast source of inspiration and we are looking forward to seeing what it means to you and how the great outdoors makes you happy.

Sandy Scott

Competition Judge

Sandy Scott

Sandy Scott is a retired airline pilot and award wining nature photographer. A graduate of the New York Institute of Photography, Sandy is incredibly inspired by nature and I is lucky enough to live in an area of Florida abundant with many fascinating species. He enjoys not only photographing nature, but uses it as an educational opportunity to learn about everything he photographs. He particularly enjoys photographing birds in that as a retired airline pilot and master skydiver, he loves everything with wings. Sandy has had a number of images chosen as Editor’s Favorites by “National Geographic” magazine and has had work exhibited in the Louvre.

Mary Auckland

Into the Okavango

First Prize

I immediately loved this photo when I saw it. It is like a wonderful, moody oil painting, with perfect composition and coloration.

The Eyes

Raju Das

Second Prize

I am a particular fan of eye contact shots with both people and creatures. This simple photo shows so much, from the condition of the fence through which the young boy is peering to his dirty fingers. We get a look into the soul of this special little person.

Big Sky

Alan Warriner

Third Prize

Quite unique landscape/seascape, which would actually be a wonderful stand-alone photo without the three horseback riders. The addition of the latter puts the finishing touch on this superb photo.

Moon Over Waldo

Gary Horsfall

Commended

The blue coloration, mist floating just above the water, the moon and the subtle reflections all add to the peaceful mood of this wonderful composition.

A Winter Jog

Colin Jarvis

Commended

A great composition making the use of leading lines to draw the viewer’s eyes to the walker in the distance. I love the juxtaposition of the white snow with the red box.

The working place

Zayar Min

Commended

A fascinating use of pattern and color to highlight and bring attention to the three workers.

Frosty Morning

Mary Auckland

Commended

Simply a wonderful winter landscape capturing the beauty of winter.