Top recognition for Islesburgh Camera Club member

The work of a Shetland-based photographer has gained special recognition in a Highlands and Islands camera competition.

Austin Taylor, of Islesburgh Camera Club, wowed judges with an impressive shot of an aurora in Wadbister when he entered the Highland Challenge – an annual inter-club photographic competition between nine camera clubs across the north of Scotland.

Mr Taylor’s shot was deemed such a hit it was made the overall winner at an all-day event in Brora, hosted by the East Sutherland Camera Club.

He said he was delighted to have gained recognition from fellow photographers who knew what they were looking for in a good picture.

Mr Taylor said: “It’s really nice to be recognised by people who actually spend a lot of time looking and judging other people’s photographs – so people who know what they are looking for.

“Obviously, I was very pleased by the photograph as well, and very pleased by the reaction – not just in this particular camera club competition, but Islesburgh has been in two or three competitions and it scored very well in each.

“That is very pleasing. I’m very pleased with the reaction, but as I say, it is nice to have photographers who know what they are looking for and appreciate it.”

The winning shot, called Aurora Wadbister, was judged to have been of “near perfect composition” with careful control of exposure helping capture the aurora.

Islesburgh Camera Club also tied with Nairn for third place in the race for winning club, which was won by Inverness Camera Club.

The Highland Challenge is an annual inter-club photographic competition between nine camera clubs. Over 120 enthusiasts had gathered to see the presentations by Wick photographer Ken Crossan and Gordon Allison from Tain.