Caught At The Tattoo

In spite of the difficulties which can be encountered in capturing that memorable moment on film, amateur photographer Duncan McEwan from Bridge of Weir in Renfrewshire, has demonstrated that a creative eye and a camera is all it takes in the 14th annual Tattoo Photographic Competition.

A Minolta Dynax 7 camera and 300 ISO film was used to snap up the coveted international award.

Last year's submissions epitomised the cosmopolitan nature of the competition - photographers from countries world-wide took part including those from the UK, Japan, France, USA, Belgium, Sweden and China. The 2003 competition received an incredible 400 entries from 20 different countries.

Former Scotsman Picture Editor and one of the three judges for 2003, Stewart Boyd, commented, "The annual results reveal the ever-increasing standards which Tattoo photo contest entrants must now aspire to."

Tattoo Chief Executive and Producer, Brigadier Melville Jameson said: "The judges have been consistently impressed with both the variety and high standard of entries submitted which invariably provide that special lasting reminder of the year in question."

Highly Commended, Commended and Finalist prizes were also awarded as follows:

Highly Commended:

Mr Jack Stewart, Lenzie, Glasgow Mr Tom Denny, Huntington Beach CA, USA Mr James Radford, Didcot, Oxfordshire

Commended:

Ms Sue Lace, Swindon, Wiltshire Mr Maximo Hernandez, Bristol Ms Zoe A Gibson, The Netherlands

Finalist:

Mrs Janette Stewart, Lenzie, Glasgow Miss Louise Ireland, Dundee Mr Doug Armitage, Carnforth, Lancanshire

All winners receive two tickets for this year's Tattoo, a presentation certificate and a mounted enlargement of their prize entry.

It is anticipated that an exhibition of the winners' photographs will be held before this year's event (6-28 August 2004), when there will be another opportunity to win cash prizes worth £900.