Mum Gemma snaps up Dovestone photography crown

NHS worker Gemma De Cet has been crowned the winner of a North West photography competition.

After reigniting her passion for photography during lockdown, the 39-year-old from Middleton said she was shocked to be announced as the winner of the South Pennines Park Photography competition.

The South Pennines Park – which covers an area spanning Horwich to Huddersfield, and Skipton to Bradford – launched the social media competition with the aim of highlighting the mix of urban and rural spaces that make the area unique.

Gemma’s image of a rare mountain hare, taken at Dovestone Reservoir, in Chew Valley near Oldham, brought the judges to say: “It is one of those rare images that grabs you immediately, then draws you further in the longer you look at it.

“It is technically a brilliant photograph, but more importantly it captures the spirit of the South Pennines, feeling both familiar and inviting, while also wild and untamed.”

Eagle-eyed walker Gemma, a commissioning project officer with Greater Manchester Integrated Care team, spotted the animal emerging from the boulders and captured the image on her Canon digital EOS 90D camera.

She said: “I’m not a professional photographer, but I always have a camera with me. Since lockdown my hobby has just grown and grown.

“It's amazing how much wildlife we have on our doorstep.

"You can't expect a perfect photo every time because wildlife is unpredictable, but when you do it’s amazing.”

Gemma, who regularly enjoys walks in the South Pennines Park area with her family, said: “It's good to get out of the house and go for a walk.

"Some exercise can lift your mood – especially when you see something amazing, like a hare or a lovely view of the hills and reservoir.”

“Nature can often be right in front of your eyes, and you can just walk right past it without spotting it.”

Gemma, who has won several photographic competitions and has sold a few prints, said it was by chance she noticed the competition on Facebook and thought she’d go for it.

She said: “It was really nice to be told that over a hundred people entered and I was selected as the winner.

"I’d recommend that people give it a go and see what they can capture while they’re out and about exploring.”

Gemma has been presented with a certificate and her image will take pride of place on the South Pennines Park Facebook page for the next month.

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