Graham is shooting for the stars in prestigious national photographic competition
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The sky is certainly no limit for very talented Highlands photographer Graham Hazelgreaves.
The snapper has reached the final of the fiercely contested Guild of Photographers Image of the Year Competition in the astro category with not just one stunning image of the heavens but four awe-inspiring submissions.
Incredibly, all of the photographs of outer space were captured from his own back garden in Boat of Garten using a variety of telescopes and astrophotography cameras – and no little skill.
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A delighted Mr Hazelgreaves told the Strathy: “I love photography and put a lot of effort into developing my skills.
"One way I do that is to enter the Guild of Photographers competition as it drives forward photography standards month after month, so it really helps me push myself.
"The images that I see getting awards each month are inspirational.
"So knowing just how high those standards are means to have four of my images shortlisted amongst the 10 in the final of this category from the many submitted across the whole year is really exciting!
"I couldn’t believe it when I found out.
“These images were all taken from my garden in Boat of Garten using a variety of telescopes and astrophotography cameras.
"I remember as a lad watching the Apollo missions and from then on I was captivated by space.
"My images of nebulae and distant galaxies are endlessly fascinating to me and I am always astounded by the sheer beauty and scale of the universe."
Guild director Lesley Thirsk said: “One of the guild’s aims is to drive standards and creativity amongst photographers.
"Our competition certainly does that. The standard of the entries we see each month is quite staggering.
"To have an image recognised by the guild in the monthly competition is difficult enough so to have an entry selected as being one of the best in a category for the end of year final is without doubt an incredible achievement.
"But to have four images making the final highlights just how talented Graham is as a photographer.”
The guild is a highly respected UK based association for photographers which has members from overseas as well.
Each year it runs an online monthly photographic competition which is judged by internationally respected judges with honours given to the best entries.
During 2023, the competition attracted around 12,000 entries from the most talented of photographers.
Graham and fellow shortlisted photographers will find out the overall winners at the guild's awards gala evening on 3rd February, next year.
To find out more about the Guild of Photographers and their competition visit www.photoguild.co.uk .
To enjoy more of Mr Hazlegreaves' spectacular photographs visit his website https://ghazlegreaves.myportfolio.com/ .
All pictures are copyright Graham Hazlegreaves.
