A Scottish photographer, Ed Smith has been named as a finalist within the Sport class of the Affiliation of Photographers’ Pictures Awards this week.

His picture “Alpine Begin” captures an excessive winter scene as mountaineers ascend excessive snow slopes earlier than first gentle on a route among the many dramatic mountains of Glen Coe.

Ed, of Kingussie, Highlands, says: “On the time of the {photograph}, I wan’t occupied with entries into an awards. We had, had a 4am begin to benefit from sub-zero situations and to maintain forward of an incoming storm.

“The shoot was commissioned by Rab Gear for a brand new mountaineering jacket, so I used to be very a lot in work mode. I used to be being inventive, whereas remaining conscious and alert to my environment.

“It was later, after I thought of coming into the AOP Awards, that I thought-about the storytelling high quality of the picture.”

Ed describes the photograph setting. He says: “You’re very a lot a group on the mountain collectively, however Alex and Matt, the mountaineers, are visibly remoted within the beam of their very own head torches, every centered on holding a gentle footing.

“It conveys a really actual component of solitude amid such an enormous mountain scene. It’s an trustworthy perspective of the way it feels within the mountains earlier than first gentle, significantly in winter.”

The AOP awards are acclaimed as extremely prestigious. Ed is thrilled to have been named as a finalist.

He says: “I’ve considered these awards in awe for over a decade and by no means entered, so it looks like an enormous honour to have been chosen as a finalist at my first try.

“To win the class would clearly be the icing on the cake. However I’m in extremely esteemed firm alongside the opposite finalists, so I’m thrilled and grateful to really feel this step ahead in my work. It’s thrilling to attach with new colleagues and shoppers by what’s been achieved to date..”

Award winners will probably be introduced reside on the AOP Annual Showcase occasion in September 2023.

Ed is an journey, life-style and panorama photographer. See Ed Smith Pictures.