Carlisle photographer snaps up two awards in a month

Matthew Turner, from Denton Home, Carlisle, entered the Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition with a photo of the aurora at Castlerigg Stone Circle, after being inspired by a trip to Iceland.

Matthew travelled to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London to attend the awards.

The 29-year-old, who works as a product photographer in Kingstown, said he didn’t expect to land an award in the Aurorae category, after only taking up photography professionally last year.

He said: “It was quite a big deal for me as I wouldn’t consider myself an experienced astro-photographer.

“I’d just returned from a trip to Iceland where I saw the Aurora Borealis a few times, but wanted to improve my night photography skills, so headed out on this particular evening for some practice.

“Seeing the northern lights at Castlerigg Stone Circle in November last year was a totally unexpected experience and one I will never forget.”

The competition had 4,200 entries from 91 countries competing in eight categories, ranging from ranging from galaxies to planets, comets and asteroids.

Landing runner-up in his category was ‘overwhelming’, added Matthew.

“I was presented with my award by comedian Jon Culshaw, who was one of the judges, and was awarded £500 prize money.

“My image has also been published in the awards book - Astronomy Photographer of the Year: Collection 7 - and also features in a permanent exhibition in the Maritime Museum.”

Matthew has had further success with a photo of Carlisle’s Bitts Park, taken during the Beast from the East in March. He was also commended in the Classic View category in the Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.

“Luckily I was off work that week so had a chance to wander around Carlisle with my camera and capture the city looking rather different with it’s wintry coat,” he added.

“It’s not often we see this much snowfall in the city, so it was great being able to get out and document it.”