3:40pm Wednesday 4th November 2009
By Rachel Ryan
A DIVING instructor from Capernwray has been named as one of the best underwater photographers in an international competition.
Adam Hanlon, 42, has been shortlisted in Visions in the Sea Underwater Photography.
The competition attracts thousands of entries from across the globe.
His image of a seal, which was taken in the Farne Isles in the North East, and his image of a shipwreck at the bottom of the water-filled quarry at Capernwray, near Carnforth, have both been selected as the top entries in the annual competition.
It was the first time that Mr Hanlon has entered a photography competition and he said: “It is great and I was really chuffed.
“It is great combining my two passions and being shortlisted has inspired me to submit more to competitions.”
He said that in the age of digital cameras there were lots of people with really good photographs.
He said: “It is one thing thinking you have a good picture but it is a really lovely feeling when someone else likes your picture.”
Mr Hanlon, a PADI course director, who learned to dive 25 years ago while living in his native South Africa, has a collection of photographs, which he has taken across the world but singled out his picture of the seal in the British category of the competition.
“The picture was taken early this year and it was a fantastic dive.
“We were surrounded by seals and they were playing with us.
“It really was a world-class dive.”
And Mr Hanlon, who lives with his wife Caron in Heysham, said that the clear water at Capernwray quarry is the perfect place to practise because of the cold but clear water.
The winners will be announced on Sunday, November 8, at the Palace Hotel in Manchester.
The ceremony will be attended by Dr Alex Mustard, an award- winning international photographer and marine biologist.
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