Fawley photographer Mik Dogherty wins UK Landscape Photographer of the Year title with heath picture taken at Hill Top, near Beaulieu

A LOCAL photographer has scooped the UK Landscape Photographer of the Year title with his emotive image of the devastation wreaked by a large heath fire in the New Forest.

Mik Dogherty was given the top award for his picture taken at Hill Top, near Beaulieu, which he says, “recognises the potential for a picture to highlight the damage caused by the fire”.

Describing how he took the image, Mik said: “I knew I would need to wait for a foggy or misty morning to hide the view of the large Fawley oil refinery complex in the background.

“Anyone who comes into the Forest from Rollestone or Dibden Purlieu will know, that with its large towers and chimney stacks, it is clearly visible above the tree line, as it is from many parts of the national park.

‘Eventually, that morning came. There was low, thick mist and to add to the morning was a great sunrise.

“Six months or so later, most of the burnt remnants of wispy gorse bushes and the lone tree had gone, mostly devoured by the grazing New Forest ponies and cattle, so this picture no longer exists. However, the regeneration of the heathland has begun.”

The competition was founded by Charlie Waite, one of the UK’s leading landscape photographers.

Named ‘After the Fire’ Mik, from Fawley, captured his shot on a Fujifilm GFX 50S.

He was awarded a £10,000 cash prize, and his image will feature in a touring exhibition of winners and in a book.

Another of his pictures entered in the competition was commended.