A PHOTOGRAPHER has had his work published in a national competition.

Timothy Smith, 61, of North View Drive, Westcliff, entered his picture, taken in Macclesfield Forest last winter, into the Landscape Photographer of the Year Competition, and his photo has made it into their book.

Renowned landscape photographer Charlie Waite set up the competition some years ago and personally selected MR Smith’s picture for inclusion in the book.

Despite not winning the top prize of £10,000, Mr Smith is delighted with the honour.

He said: “My photography has been inspired by Charlie Waite so for him to select my photo really means a lot to me.

“Photography is so popular nowadays and it’s getting easier.

You can take a good photo with a mobile phone, so you need to do something a little different.

“The greatest tool for a photographer is their eye, not any piece of equipment. Lots of people have said the photo looks like it has been filtered, but it’s just the contrast between the forest, snow and dead yellow grass. Most people wouldn’t have been out early in the morning, in a forest, in a foot of snow with more falling, looking for a picture.”

Timothy’s photo will be part of an exhibition at Waterloo Station from December 1 to January 31, displaying all the photos chosen to be part of the book, Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 8.

Having grown up in Macclesfield before moving to Westcliff 12 years ago, Mr Smith was pleased a photo from his home town was selected.

He said: “My mum was born near the forest, my sister and I were christened in a nearby village and my family still live there.

“I love living by the estuary and taking pictures of the estuary sky, but I do miss the hills and fast-running rivers of the countryside back home.”

To see more of Timothy’s work visit timothysmith photography.co.uk