A chance to see the winners of the South Devon AONB photography competition

One of the great joys of living and holidaying in the South Hams is the abundant natural beauty it has to offer, and this is what the South Devon AONB photography competition has celebrated this year in its purest form.

Capturing ‘What makes South Devon Special’ the competition had four categories: A Green and Pleasant Land, Into the Blue, The Changing Landscape and A Landscape to Live In, the photography competition explores all areas of South Devon life, from towns and villages to seascapes and countryside in its vast as well as detailed glory.

South Hams’ own photographer and artist

Amongst the entries is the South Hams’ own photographer, Nick Cotter, whose image of Bantham Past and Present was shortlisted in the Into the Blue category. The photo depicts two people gazing out in the hazy evening light at a majestic ship floating past.

An artist as well as a proactive member of the community, Nick is also a Committee member of the South Hams Arts Forum, describing his work as “digisurrealism” for the inclusion of the unexpected in his digital images.

Nick’s wider work is built up on a single layer in a process that is similar to painting, using elements of his photographic images as his palette. His prints are limited editions, professionally printed on canvas, aluminium, or Foamex™.

Where to see the winning photographs

There are forty-four shortlisted photographs in total, from eight sections (four adult and four youth). From these forty-four there were eight section winning images as well as two outstanding photographers: AONB Outstanding Photographer: Jeremy Willcocks for River Avon Morning (Into the Blue) and AONB Outstanding Young Photographer: Anna Potgieter for Across the Valley (A Green and Pleasant Land).

Winners of the South Devon AONB photography competition were announced on 23rd October, and Nick’s image, as well as other winning photographs, and are being exhibited at The Flavel Centre in Dartmouth until the 19th November.

The exhibition is a celebration of all things South Devon, and in support of the South Devon AONB, which works with a wide range of organisations and communities to actively conserve and enhance the special qualities of South Devon.

SEE MORE SOUTH DEVON PHOTOS