A STUNNING photograph taken near Dunbar has scooped a top award at a prestigious national ceremony.

Graham Niven’s ‘Beech for the Sky’ was named the winner of the Wild Woods category at the British Wildlife Photography Awards.

More than 14,000 photographs, taken by amateurs and professionals, were submitted for the annual competition.

The nature and landscape photographer is no stranger to East Lothian, having previously lived in Edinburgh.

His image, which was taken looking up at the canopy of trees near Foxlake Adventures, impressed the judging panel.

East Lothian Courier: Beech for the Sky caught the eye of the judges. Image: Niven PhotographyBeech for the Sky caught the eye of the judges. Image: Niven Photography

Graham, who runs his own photography business and gallery near Aviemore, was delighted with the success.

He said: “You don’t go to competitions for the money; it is a nice bonus for me.

“It is getting a bit of credential and kind of pitting yourself in amongst some really good photographers.

“If you don’t win, it is not like it is really upsetting.

“It is just the process and sometimes you get a bit of acknowledgement from esteemed judges.

“It is interesting to see what other photographers are producing.

“I would not consider myself specifically by any means a wildlife photographer but the Wild Woods category is a good chance to have some recognition.”

The 40-year-old, who regularly visited Bass Rock, North Berwick Law and the county’s coastlines while living in Edinburgh, captured the impressive image in 2019.

The father-of-one, who also saw his ‘Stag Portrait’ highly commended in the Habitat category, said: “There is quite a big grove of beech trees there and there is a disc golf course that is part of it.

“I used to play that with friends and really enjoyed that space and the forest it is within.

“After being there to play disc golf, I went back a few times with my cameras; sometimes at night-time to do shoots focusing on the trees throughout the seasons.

“I had gone there to try to capture a bit of the autumn leaves. The beech trees turn quite an amazing colour but I was a bit too late in terms of the colours but found some amazing compositions.

“The ground was covered in newly fallen leaves.

“When I was lying down or sitting in them, I saw compositions above and then, with a wide angle lens, I captured this amazing photo where the trees are reaching in like arms and legs towards the centre point.

“It was one of those things where you enjoy the spectacle of them in it.”