Photograph of wet and windy Gosport garden wins competition

Mark Cole, from the town, entered McCarthy and Stone’s Through the Lens contest which encouraged residents to capture their favourite areas looking at the harbour.

The 54-year-old used a light painting technique after he snapped the shot on a wet and windy night in the Ferry Gardens, in the town centre.

Mark said: ‘I have lived in Gosport for some years now and have always been fond of the Ferry Gardens.

‘It’s amazing the variety of photos and moods you can capture in just one area.

‘This one in particular I achieved by lighting up individual objects and aspects separately within the image and over 12-15 different shots, composited them all together in Photoshop to create a very special view of Gosport’s harbour at night.

‘I have been a photographer for 25 years now, and when I heard about the competition from a family friend, I knew I had the perfect photo to send in.

‘I am delighted to have been chosen as the winner.’

Mark won a prize of a £100 Marks and Spencer gift voucher.

His winning photograph will be displayed inside the show complex of McCarthy and Stone’s new Viewpoint development.

Kim Caldwell, regional sales and marketing director for the company, added: ‘We were delighted by the response to our competition, and after a tough afternoon of judging, were pleased to award Mark as our winner.

‘The competition provides great inspiration for artists and photographers alike, and shows some of the incredible sea views on offer from the balconies of each of the apartments.’