SOUTH West Lakes Trust and South West Water awarded the winners of the 'Love your Lakes' photo and video competition at a prize presentation event at Lakeside, Roadford Lake this month.
The competition, which ran from April 1 to September 30, received over 120 entries and was held to encourage people of all ages to make the most of the fantastic photo and filming opportunities at their lakes across Devon, Cornwall and West Somerset.
The lakes of the South West are popular among amateur and professional photographers and videographers alike, providing a unique combination of beautiful landscapes, high-adrenalin activities and rich wildlife and plants. They are also the reservoirs that provide most of the region's raw tap water, and the entries reveal how photographers are fascinated by the interplay between essential infrastructure and the natural world.
The three photo categories were: The beauty of water, activities, and flora and fauna. Photos had to be taken at one of South West Lakes Trust's lakes.
The competition was judged by renowned professional news and sport photographer, Richard Austin, chief executive of South West Lakes Trust, Evelyn Stacey, and customer communications officer for South West Water, Lorna Devenish.
First prize for the beauty of water category and the chosen overall winner was Christian Schoter from Exeter for his photograph of Kennick, who was awarded £350. Avigayl Kahana of Exeter took the top prize for the activities category with her photo of a kayaker at Roadford and Sue Rowlands of Saltash was awarded first prize in the flora and fauna category for her photo of Colliford.
Mackenzie Dodd's video of Venford Reservoir took first place in the video category; he was awarded £350 with Jay Kasitz taking second place with his video of South West Wakeboarding at Siblyback Lake.
The Beauty of Water:1, Christian Schoter of Exeter; 2, Ben Hall of Exeter; 3, Phillip Gillespie of Kilkhampton.
Activities: 1, Avigayl Kahana of Exeter; 2, Michael Leek of Horrabridge; 3, Mandy Pollard of Holsworthy.
Flora and fauna: 1, Sue Rowlands of Saltash; Nicola Bishop of Okehampton; 3, Adrian Davey of Launceston and Martyn Behennah of Dobwalls.
Video category:?1, Mackenzie Dodd of Paignton; runner-up – Jay Kasitz of Plymouth.
The winning photo entries will be on display in the Lakeside Visitor Centre, Roadford Lake until the end of February. The winning video can be viewed on the South West Lakes Trust website at http://www.swlakestrust.org.uk">www.swlakestrust.org.uk