Striking Photo Wins Competition

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital has announced the winners of its recent inaugural photography competition.

The contest, which was open to patients, visitors, staff as well as members of the public, attracted scores of keen photographers from across the North West with 250 high quality entries submitted. 

Local photography enthusiast, Brian Fisher from Liverpool, took the remarkable winning shot of a night time lightning strike over the Pier Head.

Commenting on the winning entry, one of the judges, Liverpool Echo’s Chief Photographer, Colin Lane, said: “I was really impressed by the standard of entries, but the judging panel were unanimous in their choice of an overall winner.

“To capture such a dramatic image as a lightning bolt takes skill and patience, but to capture it above Liverpool’s iconic skyline at night makes this a truly ‘striking’ photograph.

“I would have been delighted to have taken such a stunning photograph myself.”

Mr Fisher, a keen amateur photographer who lives in Liverpool City Centre, told of his surprise at winning the competition.

“I nearly missed the opportunity to take the winning photograph because I’d decided to go to bed early that night after a long week at work. But as I was gazing out of the window across the Mersey, I thought I caught sight of a tornado over on the Wirral. 

“I rushed to get my camera and didn’t manage to get any good shots, but by the time the thunderstorm started over Liverpool, I was wide awake and ready to capture it.”

Brian added: “I probably missed half of the lightning strikes fiddling with the camera and trying to learn how to capture lightning, but in the end my efforts were rewarded with this fantastic image. I’ll certainly look forward to the next thunderstorm!”

Fifty shortlisted photographs, covering four categories – nature, weather, buildings and a separate young person’s category - were chosen by the judges and have been printed on canvas and put on display to positively enhance the hospital environment.

Other judges were Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital’s Chairman, Neil Large, Chief Executive, Jane Tomkinson, and Governor, Mike Brereton.

The three other best in category winners and competition runners up were Stephen Whittaker (Buildings), Alison Lomax (Nature) and Molly McPartland (Young Person’s category).