Trio of youngsters win Power of the Sea photo contest

THREE picture perfect youngsters are going on to compete against other junior snappers from around the country after winning photography competition The Power of the Sea.

Entrants were asked to get clicking and creatively capture the power of water in their area, with organisers hoping to educate the youngsters about hydro power and build awareness of the marine renewal sector, with hundreds of pounds of photography equipment up for grabs.

After a rigorous judging process overseen by Scotsman Publications photo editor Roger Jonathan, eight-year-old St Nicholas Primary School student Sara Roe, and brothers Finlay, ten, and Lloyd Davies, 13, were each awarded £300 worth of photography equipment for their school, as well as their own £50 digital camera.

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Sara said she had been taking pictures for a “really long time”. She said: “I started about a month or so ago. I was with my dad at New Lanark and he likes taking pictures so I wanted to take some, too. My new camera is good and I’d love to use it to take pictures round Edinburgh.”

However, brothers Finlay and Lloyd have slightly more exotic destinations in mind, with Lloyd setting his sights on Antarctica and Finlay opting for Cyprus. He said: “I went there for my ninth birthday and it’s really nice.”

Lloyd, who goes to Boroughmuir High, was on the bus home when his mum phoned to tell him the good news.

He said: “I didn’t realise at first that Finlay had won, too, so I was maybe going to wind him up a bit! It’s better that we both won – it means less fights!

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“I started taking pictures when I was about five, and I used to make little movies with my friends too. I was inspired by my grandfather, who showed me and Finlay lots of the photos he has taken over the years.”

Both brothers took their winning shots while visiting their grandparents at their holiday caravan near Castle Sween.

Lloyd added: “I think we may even have taken our pictures on the same day. The scenery is lovely up there.”

Finlay, who goes to Buxton Primary, said: “I’ve been taking pictures for about three years now, but I was really surprised to win. I did really want to beat Lloyd though.”

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Judge Roger Jonathan said: “Sara has captured the power of the river in full flow, epitomising the power of water. Lloyd has given us a beautifully lit and very moody shot, while Finlay has taken a very impressive picture for someone of his age.”

Internationally renowned Scots photographer David Eustace will have the final say over which three of the ten finalists will walk away with £750 of photography equipment and a photography masterclass for their school, in addition to a £150 camera for themselves.

The winning photographs will be unveiled on November 30.