….well almost the end of the year as I’m still hard at it until the Christmas weekend, but it’s good news nonetheless!
I was advised today that not only had I won 2 of the categories in this years Outdoor Photographer of the Year Competition (organised by Outdoor Photography magazine, a publication I’ve been a reader of for many many years) but I had also won the overall competition itself!
The image in question was taken earlier this year when running a trip to Yellowstone in February and we were fortunate enough to enjoy some dramatic blizzard conditions as they day came to an end and a nearby herd of Bison decided it was time to move to a thermal area for extra overnight warmth. Tough conditions to photograph in, predominantly because of the falling snow which meant I had to manually focus, but a truly amazing experience.
This image had won the World Wildlife category, but I also managed to win the On The Wing category which covered birdlife from anywhere in the world with this image of Sandhill Cranes in the early morning mists at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico around this time last year as it happens.
There was more than a stoke of good fortune with this particular shot – we’d enjoyed sunrise at our usual spot and decided to leave earlier than normal to check out some pools which were a short drive away – en route we spotted this one patch of rising mist with a small group of over-nighting cranes roosting there: we bundled out of the car took some shots, a few minutes later the cranes had gone and the moment had passed: it’s the only morning in the course of two week long trips there in the last 2 years that I’ve encountered these idyllic conditions and it was pretty much only us that enjoyed them too!
You can see all the winning entries here.
I don’t really like blowing my own trumpet but along with the BWPA video category success earlier in the autumn and my first publication in the form of Wild Shropshire last month 2011 is certainly a year I’ll be remembering for the right reasons!
PS Both images were taken on Natures Images trips…need I say more?
CONGRATULATIONS Mark,
Excellent achievement and as you say it caps off a very successful year for you. I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas and I am sure your success will continue into 2012 and beyond.
Cheers
Austin
Mark brillant news and well deserved! Could’nt have happen to a nicer bloke! Long may the success continue!! Oh thanks for the wordpress help, worked a treat 🙂
Hi Mark,
Congratulations again. Hope 2012 will be as succesfull as this year!
Regards.
Eelco Scheer
Thanks guys – much appreciated kind words and encouragement!
Mark
Well done. Great shots. Making a profit and taking award winning images – it doesn’t get any better than that!
Slightly better margins for the hours involved would never go amiss but I couldn’t agree much more with your sentiment Mark: as you yourself know there aren’t many better ways to make a livelihood – when it’s all working well that is!!
well done mark great achievement. keep up the good work. I was chuffed to get some of my images shortlisted.
Have a great christmas
Thanks Steve – you too and hope to see you in the new year.