Mara Leite, a PhD student at the School of Life Sciences studying how algae can help humans travel and settle on Mars, has been named the overall winner of the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2021 competition.
The Landscape Photographer of the Year is an exhibition that celebrates the beauty of the UK. Founded in 2006 by Charlie Waite, one of today’s most respected landscape photographers, their competition includes tens of thousands of entries celebrating the richly diverse landscape of the UK.
The awards showcase the work of many talented photographers, inspiring visitors to experience the joys of the British landscape first-hand. It is a great platform for photographers to express their relishing of what the British landscape means to them, and most especially what it meant to them at the most special of moments.
Mara’s photo, entitled ‘Morning at Countryside’ showcases Mill Lane, a famous footpath in Halnaker, West Sussex. The photograph shows the beautiful tunnel, with the morning light hitting the gate in the background, and has made Mara the fourteenth winner of the overall title. She was awarded £10,000 for first place.
Charlie Waite, the founder of the Landscape Photographer of the Year awards, commented on Mara’s photo, saying: With the glorious ring lighting and splash of golden light at the top, there is a sense of security and protection as much as secrecy that emerges from this delicate photograph where we are beckoned to go forward. Despite the gate at the far end, perhaps there is an additional feeling that one would never wish to reach it.”
Mara Leite, who takes on photography as a hobby, said: “It is such an honour [to win the competition]! I could not believe it when I found out. Winning gave me exposure and a push to keep doing what I love while striving to become better and better. I also hope that becoming the first-ever woman to win the competition helps give female photographers the representation they deserve and encourages more women to pursue landscape photography. I hope my landscape photos and landscape photography, in general, inspire people to connect more with nature and to take better care of our planet.”
Mara was also shortlisted in the Royal Greenwich Observatory Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition earlier this year.
Find out more about the Landscape Photographer of the Year.
