Moray photographers capture the moment – and prizes
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WINNING views of Moray and the Highlands presented the judges of a photography competition with a difficult choice.
More than 190 entries flooded in for the Capture the Moment photography competition launched by chartered accountancy and business advice firm Johnston Carmichael, run to celebrate the firm’s long-established relationship with Moray and the north.
The firm, which has 12 offices throughout Scotland, including Inverness, Elgin, Huntly, Inverurie and Fraserburgh, asked photographers of all ages to submit entries relating to a range of Johnston Carmichael’s key sectors: agriculture, construction, food and drink, oil and gas, and hospitality and tourism.
Entries were reviewed by a panel of expert judges including local photographers, artists and journalists, as well as Grenville Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray and grandson of Bill Johnston, a co-founder of Johnston Carmichael.
Eventually they selected four winners.
Debbie Knowles (31), from Elgin, was crowned the winner of the best photograph taken on a smartphone category, for her image of Elgin Cathedral and the River Lossie. Debbie captured the photograph on her iPhone 8.
The prize for the best junior photograph went to 13-year-old Joanna Lipp, from Killen, with her image of a row of wellies on a Black Isle farm. The judges loved the colours in the image and thought it encapsulated the agriculture sector very well.
The best image that tells a story category was won by Angus Chisholm (66), from Invergordon, who took inspiration from the fishing industry. The striking image shows a cormorant swooping down into the North Kessock shoreline to pick up a mackerel. The image was highly praised by the panel.
Morven Mackenzie (53), from Findhorn, took home the prize for the best sector image, with a photograph of a female engineer working at a local engineering firm. Morven was inspired by the woman, who works in a male-dominated environment, and captured an impressive image as a result.
Each winner will receive a £250 cash prize and will have their work proudly displayed in the Johnston Carmichael offices, and also at Eden Court theatre in Inverness later this year.
Scott Jeffrey, audit partner at Johnston Carmichael, said: "We’ve been blown away with the calibre of entries we’ve seen and choosing our winners was no easy task.
"It’s been so interesting to see how all our entrants have interpreted each of the categories and sectors. To have over 190 entries is truly fantastic and we’ve been so impressed with the creativity and hard work that each of our entrants have showcased."
