Badenoch lensman's stunning Abernethy image praised by National Geographic judge

Fringes of Abernethy’ by Kingussie-based photographer Ed Smith has podiumed in The Independent Photo Landscape Award – an international event attracting a huge entry, judged by National Geographic photographer Jim Richardson.

"It was very good news – and the feedback was very flattering," said Mr Smith.

Mr Richardson was highly impressed with the Badenoch man's image:

“This scene is elusive in a most delightful way. Where most landscape photographs are explicit, this one is evocative,” he said, ranking it as runner-up.

“The mists are the author of this image, letting us see only snippets and hints of moors and glens in the Cairngorms of Scotland. The scattered trees serve to assure us that there is solid ground out there somewhere.

“I’ve spent quite some time absorbing this image. As far as I can tell there is no centre of interest; I don’t miss it.

“Author Nan Shepherd wrote her famous book, The Living Mountain, about the Cairngorms – this picture pretty much nails it.”

Jim Richardson is a photographer for National Geographic Magazine and a contributing editor for its sister publication, Traveler Magazine.

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