SNH looking for Highlands' best nature photos

28th May 2012

Closing Date For SNH Photo Contest - 31 July 2012.

To celebrate Scotland's amazing biodiversity, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have launched a free photo contest.

As part of Scottish Biodiversity Week festivities, SNH is encouraging those in the Highlands to enjoy nature by capturing their favourite natural places and wildlife.

The sixth annual Nature Photography Competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers. Keen photographers have plenty of time to get snapping, with a deadline of July 31 to get their photos to SNH.

First prize is a one-to-one tutorial with one of Scotland's leading professional nature photographers, Lorne Gill; second prize is a Nikon D5100 Digital SLR camera with a tripod; and third prize is a Panasonic Lumix LX5 Digital Camera and a tripod.

This contest is part of Scottish Biodiversity Week, which includes 120 events across Scotland that took place from May 19-27. For more information on the week, see www.snh.gov.uk/biodiversityweek.

Scottish Biodiversity Week organiser, Zeshan Akhter, said:"We're so pleased that so many people enjoyed Scottish Biodiversity Week events this year, and we want to keep encouraging people to get out and enjoy Scotland's nature. Taking pictures is a great way to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our countryside. I'm looking forward to seeing what inspires people about Scotland's nature this year; we always get plenty of amazing shots. And you don't have to have an expensive camera - last year's winner took her picture on her mobile phone!"

Entrants should email their pictures of animals, plants or landscapes to bit[AT]snh.gov.uk by 31 July 2012, as an attachment with "Photo Contest" in the subject line. Entries must be original, have a title, indicate where in Scotland the photo was taken, and the entrant's name and contact details. Each person may submit up to two entries. Entrants must be residents of Scotland. SNH will notify winners in September and the winning entries will be posted on the website and highlighted in the Scottish Biodiversity Forum's quarterly newsletter. For more information, see www.snh.gov.uk/biodiversityweek.