The National Trust has revealed its winner of this year’s handbook photography competition – with a tranquil sunset in the Isle of Wight ruling the crop.
The winning image, taken by Les Lockhart, will sit on the cover of the 2020 National Trust Handbook after topping the annual competition.
Lockhart, who hails from East Cowes, says: “I love being able to go out to Newtown regularly, whether it’s during the day to watch all the wildlife, or in the evening for the sunset. It’s such a beautiful, peaceful location, and there are so many features that make it a great place for photography too, like the walkway and the boats on the estuary.
“One of the reasons I like photography is that you’re able to share these places with others. Hopefully seeing the image on the Handbook will encourage people to really appreciate and make the most of beautiful places on their own doorstep.”
Lockhart’s image was among 14 others that made it to the final shortlist, which you can see in the gallery above. These images were chosen because they reflected the impact that these locations have on people’s wellbeing and the work that the National Trust does to care for these beautiful places.
The conservation charity received thousands of entries to it competition this year, with submissions ranging from mist-cloaked valleys to woodlands filled with bluebells.
The judging panel was made up of five experts, including Honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society, Simon King.
King says of the winning image: “Les’s photo stood out because of the beautiful composition, with the wooden walkway drawing the eye in and giving that combination of the gentle touch of man in a wild landscape.
“It captures a moment in light that is ephemeral, but entirely possible for anyone to witness if they spend time in a place like this.”
The 2020 handbook will be issued to the National Trust’s 5.6 million members ahead of next year.
For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk
