KEITH Hann’s picture of a wheatear won the coveted Alfred Vowles Trophy in the Exmoor Society’s photographic competition.
Taken at Ember Combe, it was deemed the best image of Exmoor.
The photograph also won the wildlife category of the Alfred Vowles competition, held every two years by the society to encourage amateur photographers to capture the beauties of Exmoor on camera.
The trophy was donated by the family of Alfred Vowles, a photographer who for over 30 years until the late 1940s, devoted his life to recording the landscape, life and people of Exmoor.
Rachel Thomas, Exmoor Society chairman, said: “For many years he ran a thriving business selling postcards of his work from a shop in Minehead, having earlier worked for Kodak in London.
“His legacy is a most valuable document of the Exmoor of the period, which is why we named the competition after him.”
Exmoor Society trustee Caroline Tonson-Rye, who was one of the judges, said: “The Exmoor Society would like to encourage everyone to discover and enjoy all that Exmoor National Park has to offer, and to capture it on camera.”
Judging alongside her were Barry Hitchcox, of Barry Hitchcox Photography, and Jack Clegg of Minehead Photography, who said they were impressed by the high standard of entries.
First prize in the ‘scenery’ category was awarded to Madeline Taylor for her original view of Tarr Steps: “A bold composition with good lighting.” Both winners received a cheque for £50.
A display of the winning photographs and a selection of other entries can be seen at The Exmoor Society Resource Centre in Dulverton, open weekdays 10am to 4pm.
Highly commended entries were: Wildlife category, Madeline Taylor, Exmoor pony mare and foal crossing the road near Webber’s Post; Keith Hann, young stags in Thurley Combe. Landscape – Sharon Bailey, Tarr Steps after the flood, November 2016; Keith Hann, Freezing fog in the Quarme Valley.
The closing date for the next Alfred Vowles Competition is December 31, 2020. Advice and tips can be found on the Exmoor Society website.