Published at 11:37, Monday, 29 November 2010

Until six years ago Christine Redgate had rarely picked up a camera for anything other than holiday snaps and family gatherings.

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Today she is the proud winner of a prestigious Cumbrian photographic competition, for the second year running.

Christine’s shot of a swan gliding on rippled waters impressed the judges of the Copeland Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, taking first prize in the adult section ahead of more than 100 other stunning images.

Christine was presented with her award at The Beacon in Whitehaven.

The 70-year-old from Haverigg took up photography only when her previous passion – motorbikes – became difficult to enjoy any more.

“I used to do a lot of motorcycling with my husband Barry. But I’ve had two hip replacements and that curtailed getting on a bike.

“I took up birdwatching and photography. You can sit outside and not look like a spare part.”

Christine is self taught, learning from photography magazines and online forums.

Her winning entry, which she called A Knight on White Satin, was taken last November at Hodbarrow Nature Reserve on the Duddon Estuary in south Cumbria.

The photograph owes its success to a reliance on instinct rather than following any textbook.

“The picture apparently breaks all the rules. The head is not in focus. The subject is dead centre. Which isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

“The swan was on her own, swimming away into the distance. When I looked at the shot, the water was pure white satin.”

Many of Christine’s other photographs are displayed at her website www.haverigg.com.

Of her success, she says modestly: “I’m very excited and very surprised. I don’t think I’m anything special.”

The children’s competition was won by 12-year-old Holly McGrady from Whitehaven.

Holly impressed judges with her photograph Where’s all the snow gone?

This image of a baby penguin was taken at South Lakes Wild Animal Park.

Chistine’s and Holly’s images have been professionally printed for them to take home and also produced as limited-edition postcards on sale at The Beacon and Whitehaven Tourist Information Centre.

Their photographs will on display at The Beacon until January 9.

The competition, sponsored by Graeme Cameron Photography of Whitehaven, was open to Copeland residents.

Entry forms were available at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which was on tour at The Beacon from the Natural History Museum throughout October.

Beacon curator Charlotte Stead says: “We’ve held the Copeland Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition for the last few years.

“It’s becoming increasingly popular. I think people are more interested in what’s around them.

“It’s good to be encouraging people to be inspired by the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition and then get out and do their own version.

“It just goes to show what sort of talent we’ve got in Cumbria, and the range of wildlife.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk