AN image taken at a Lockerbie nature reserve has landed its photographer a place in the finals of an international competition.
Sam Pattinson from Annandale submitted the picture of a swan, taken at Eskrigg where he’s a volunteer.
Entitled Take Off, it has now reached the final of the Down’s Syndrome Association’s ‘My Perspective’ international photography competition.
A delighted Sam this week said: “I am happy and excited. I enjoy being outdoors and taking photos of wildlife and seeing how they turn out.”
About his shortlisted image, Sam said: “It was taken at a local nature reserve in Lockerbie where there are ducks, swans, red squirrels and a big variety of birds. I was lucky to see the swan taking off.”
And on his inspiration, he added: “When I see that I have taken a good photo and then I want to improve it.”
My Perspective is open to people who have Down’s syndrome from across the world and this year, entries came from as far away as Guatemala, India, South Africa, Australia and the USA.
The finalists will attend a special awards ceremony in London on November 7 where the winners will be announced.
The organisers said: “It aims to give people who have Down’s syndrome the opportunity to showcase the world through their eyes. Rather than being the focus of the images, here photographers with the condition have flipped the lens and have a chance to use the images they have captured to convey stories that are most important to them.”
Sam is up for the People’s Choice Award and there’s still time to vote for him at www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/our-work/our-voice/my-perspective/ – by October 4.
