The winners of the 2009 Department of Tourism and Leisure Photo Competition were announced yesterday (Wednesday 14th October), revealing the high level of photographic talent on the Island.
The Competition, which was sponsored by Nationwide International Limited, received over 100 entries, from which a handful of finalists were selected.
The finalists gathered for a special prize ceremony in the Barool Suite in Legislative Buildings, where Minister for Tourism Martyn Quayle MHK announced the winners and runners-up across a total of nine separate categories, plus one overall competition winner.
Prior to handing out the awards, Mr Quayle said that it was a privilege to judge the competition, the high standards of which had made choosing the winners a difficult task.
He also praised all the participants for representing the Island in a "positive and captivating manner" and explained that the photographs "will be put to good use by the Department in the near future in promotional literature such as guides, brochures and advertisements" to help encourage visitors to the Island.
Two avid photographers walked away from the presentation with particularly wide smiles. Ray Collister was declared overall winner and claimed ?500 for his striking Druidale landscape; he also won in two individual categories.
Ken Elworthy, meanwhile, won in a total of five separate categories, much to his own shock!
Ken, who is better known to many for his Punch and Judy shows, said that his love for photography started when he was only twelve years old, and became fascinated by the darkroom of a family friend.
He has kept abreast of changing technology but admitted that his daughter, a senior designer with Duke Marketing, has taught him how to use Photoshop!
Ray Collister enjoys photography as an antidote to his other main hobby - fast motorbikes - and set up the Isle of Man/Ellan Vannin photography group on flickr to encourage other snappers to share their shots of the Island.
He shot his winning image of Druidale on a Nikon D200 which he says he might now upgrade with the competition prize money - "but my wife thinks I should buy her a diamond ring instead!"
Nationwide International's Senior Sales and Marketing Manager, Seamus Byrne, who also presided over the prize-giving, commented, "Nationwide International is delighted to have sponsored the photo competition in 2009, the year in which we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of our Isle of Man operation.
"The standard of entries was truly outstanding. The competition showcased magnificently the work of the Island's many supremely talented photographers who have succeeded in capturing the rich diversity of life in the Isle of Man to dramatic effect."
Individual category winners were awarded ?200 per win, while runners-up received ?100.
All prize-winning entrues will be added to the Department of Tourism and Leisure's image bank, and will be available to view at www.visitisleofman.com
Full List of Winners
Scenic Coastal
Winner: Ken Elworthy (Castletown Harbour)
Runner-Up: Ken Elworthy (Moored Boat)
Highly Commended: Mary Davies (Safe Haven/Bradda View)
Food and Drink
Winner: Ken Elworthy (Morning Coffee)
Runner-Up: Sarah Christian (Been Strawberry Picking)
Scenic Landscape
Winner: Ray Collister (Countryside View)
Runner-Up: Janet Servante (Cregneash)
Highly Commended: Nicholas Brown (Ramsey Harbour)
Heritage
Winner: John Keelan (Millenium Cross)
Runner-Up: Ray Colliser (Laxey Wheel)
Wildlife
Winner: Thomas Goldie (Red Panda)
Runner-Up: Bob Servante (Birds)
Runner-Up: Andy North (Seal in the Sound)
Transport
Winner: Ray Collister (Horse tram)
Runner-Up: John Keelan (Steam train in Castletown)
Events
Winner: Ken Elworthy (TT Wingwalkers)
Runner-Up: Barbara Collister (Soap Box Races)
Business Activity
Winner: Ken Elworthy (Adventurous Experiences)
Runner-Up: Seamus Whelan (Ramsey Welcome)
Miscellaneous
Winner: Ken Elworthy (Punch and Judy on the beach)
Runner-Up: Benton Bullock (Life Boat Ramp)
Pictured (l-r): Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle MHK, overall winner Mr Ray Collister with his entry 'Looking Towards Snaefell', Heritage category winner John Keelan, Catherine Harrop and Seamus Byrne from Nationwide International Limited, and five-category winner Mr Ken Elworthy with his Events category shot 'TT Wingwalkers'.
