Highland seashore challenge winner is a real star
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A SHOT snatched during a seaside paddle has won a Wester Ross woman an online photography competition.
Emma Bennett-West’s picture of a starfish secured the most votes in the Highland Seashore Project challenge.
Organisers left it to the public to select their favourite photograph in the Seashore Life Photo Competition.
Entrants were encouraged to submit a photo of animals or seaweed common to local shores on the project’s Facebook page, with the most "likes" scooping the prize.
The entries ranged from keen amateur photographers to the casual point and shoot opportunist.
Soon after the launch of the competition on July 1, debates raged on the comments pages as to which picture was best, with around 2,500 people viewing the online gallery each week.
There were some strong favourites from the beginning but by the close of the polls on July 31 there was no doubt about the winner.
The Facebookers’ favourite was Emma Bennett-West’s photo of a starfish in the dappled sunlit waters of Kirkton bay, near Balmacara in Wester Ross.
Emma won a Veho Muvi Camcorder which can be used underwater and received her prize from local Highland councillor Audrey Sinclair.
Councillor Sinclair said: "I am pleased how well the Highland Seashore Project has gone, particularly this year when so many people have become involved in many different areas of the Highlands.
"I would like to congratulate Emma on winning the Seashore Life Photo Competition. She has shown that excellent results can be achieved without being too hi-tech. Her photo captures the essence of the seashore – a simple photo that tells a whole story. "It also shows that we can all find something of interest to see on the seashore and I would encourage people to go and explore this understated area of our natural environment."
A delighted Emma said: "I am so excited to win. It was a sunny day paddling with the kids when I just saw a perfect shot and snapped it. Little did I think it would lead me to this moment!
"Thank you everyone who voted for me. There were a lot of very good pictures to choose from so I am especially honoured."
Emma said she was so inspired she planned to try out her new camera and post an underwater film for the Highland Seashore Project’s Facebook page.
Launched in 2013, the Highland Seashore Project is a three-year project which works with coastal communities around the Highlands, staging shows, festivals and workshops to celebrate the heritage and nature of the coast.
Events have been held in Kyle, Ullapool and Achiltibuie among other places.
