Take a Dorset View YOUTH category winners

We all have our own take on what is special about Dorset. Often, top of that list is a stunning landscape that people hold dear to them.

During 2023 we partnered up with Dorset Magazine to open the Take a Dorset View Photo Competition and invited people to share their view of what makes Dorset special.

Black and white close up of two hands holding a camera lens with the reflection of a small copse of trees on top of a hill in the glass

With almost 700 photos entered by 126 photographers, the judges had a very difficult job of choosing from such a wonderful selection of Dorset views. However, after much deliberation, we are delighted to announce these Youth Category Winner and Runner Ups, who will all receive vouchers totalling £200 kindly donated by Castle Cameras.

‘Take a Dorset View’ photo competition aimed to celebrate the outstanding landscapes of Dorset so the story doesn’t end here! By showcasing these winning images in the a touring exhibition, we look forward to sharing the love for Dorset’s landscapes far and wide over the coming year – follow us on social media for news of the touring exhibition in 2024.

Dark green trees in shadow with speckled sunlight reflecting off a slow flowing river
© Henry Pike, Youth Winner, Take a Dorset View Dorset AONB

YOUTH WINNER: Henry Pike

The judges loved the way the eye was drawn into the photo by the sunlight picking out riffles in the water and the leaves on branches overhanging the river.

“The photo really captured the atmosphere of a slow, languid river on a hot sunny day.”

Henry is 17 and wins £100 vouchers from Castle Cameras.

Close up of a red dragonfly resting on bleached wood
© Macy Lambard Runner Up Dorset AONB

RUNNER UP: Macy Lambard

The judges were really impressed by the textures in this photo – both the detail of the dragonfly and the grain of the wood.

“Well done for having the patience and steady hand to capture this busy creature!”

Macy is 15 and wins £50 vouchers from Castle Cameras.

Old brick wall with a doorway showing bright green foliage on the other side
© Mia Lyon runner up Dorset AONB

RUNNER UP: Mia Lyon

The judges really enjoyed the framing of this photo, the way the old brick wall contrasts so well with the verdant vegetation beyond.

“This photo made us feel like we wanted to step through the doorway into the lush world beyond.”

Mia is 12 and wins £50 vouchers from Castle Cameras.

HIGHLY COMMENDED ENTRIES

The judges were delighted with the Youth entries, finding it a real pleasure to see the landscape through fresh eyes. Have a look below at the very different views of Dorset  – some classic landscapes, textural close ups and a bit of humour too.

Long view across dark green fields to a chapel on a hill with the sea and headland in the distance
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Chesil View, Abotsbury (c) Liam Heaton (age 16)
Large Sunflower head with bee close by in a field of sunflowers with woods and hills in the background
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Coppet Hill Sunflower and Bee (c) Sebastian Kingston (age 9)
Steam train waiting at a signal with two men at the engine with the ruin of a castle on a hill in the background
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Corfe Castle (c) Hayden Prewett, (age 14)
Dry brown bracken in focus with a deer blurred in the background
HIGHLY COMMENDED: No Eyed Deer, Arne (c) Alfie Borrett (age 16)
Sweeping view across a busy summer beach in a curving bay to tall cliffs in a turquoise sea
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Durdle Door Beach (c) Amelia Hartley Baker (age 18)
Close up of a dead tree trunk with fungi growing in a crevice
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Thriving and Surviving, Brownsea Island (c) Mia Lyon (age 12)
Reflections of branches in still water with wading bird in standing in the middle
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Walking on Water (c) Ferne Grice (age 16)
Two swans swimming, with neck and heads framed against dark water
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Swans (c) Amelia Hartley Baker (age 18)
Turquoise lake reflecting the sky with a backdrop of green woodland
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Blue Pool (c) Hayden Prewett (age 14)
View across Swanage seafront on a grey day lit up by rainbow
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Double Sea Rainbow, Swanage (c) Liam Heaton (age 16)

Commended

We would also like to give a special mention to the Commended entries which caught the eye of the judges:

  • Alfie Borrett: A castle view, Corfe Castle
  • Tilly Canning: As high as the hills and as low as the tideSt Aldhelm’s Head
  • Tilly Canning: Red sky at night is a shepherd’s delight, Swanage beach
  • Kamil Chaml: View from Thorncombe woods
  • Macy Lambard: Mesmerising Mill, Corfe Castle
  • Layla Lyon: Beginnings, Brownsea Island
  • Toby Matterface: West Bay wings

And thanks to Jessica Brookes for entering some great photos, which were sadly outside the AONB area. 

Low lying mist in a wide autumn landscape of fields, hedgerows and woods
© Tony Gill Dorset AONB

OPEN CATEGORY WINNERS

Have a look at our OPEN category Winner, Runner-Ups and Commended entries to the Take a Dorset View photo competition 2023.

This misty view from Pilsdon Pen was taken by Tony Gill.

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