9:51am Tuesday 26th February 2008
By Alexis Thompson
A PHOTOGRAPHY student has snapped his best picture yet, by winning a prestigious international photography competition.
James Gallimore, 18, entered the Young Photographer of the Year competition over nine months ago, and was stunned to learn of his win last week.
James used his own digital camera to take a photograph from the front of his car bonnet at night with street lighting in the background.
He submitted it to the competition which received over 3,500 entries from photographers from all corners of the globe.
The second year A Level Photography student from South Cheshire College has now had his masterpiece published in Digital Camera Photographer of the Year, a well-respected national magazine.
He also received a highly commended award for another photograph which he submitted as part of the competition for 15 to 18 year olds, and will receive a £500 cheque for his win.
James said: "I can't believe it really because I thought nothing of it until I found out last week.
"Thousands of young people enter the competition so I'm over the moon to win first prize in that category.
"I've always been interested in photography since I was young so this achievement shows how far I've come."
James' work will also be displayed in a special exhibition in London opposite Trafalgar Square.
He has also launched a special website devoted to night-time photography called www.nightphotographer.co.uk.
James, of Holmes Chapel, added: "It's great to get the recognition. I take most of my photographs at night.
"In fact there are hardly any photographs I take in the daylight to be honest!
"This type of shot was something I messed around with to try and create a night-time driving effect and luckily it has paid off.
"I'm going to put the prize money towards some new photography kit because with digital photography, technology is constantly moving forwards."
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.creweguardian.co.uk