A STUNNING image of Scales Moor, near Whernside, has been chosen as the winner of the annual Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust’s annual photo competition.

Photographer, Stephen Dauris, took the picture while on a day trip to the Dales.

“The Yorkshire Dales are a great location whether for hiking, cycling, climbing or photography. I spent a day there visiting Scaleber Force, Ribblehead Viaduct, Twistleton Scar and finally Scales Moor where I took this shot,” he said.

“The light wasn’t great as there looked to be a storm approaching which added to the mood of the image. The backdrop of Ingleborough is in stark contrast to the limestone pavement and the erratic.”

Judge Ian Rossin, creative director at Brass Agency, said the picture was a “calm and gently balanced composition” after deliberating more than 350 entries.

“The Dales hold so many varied themes that singling one out was difficult,” he said. “I tried not to over think it and to go with my instincts around which images engaged me the most.

“The winner is a great picture and one that draws you in slowly to explore the story being told here. It is all the more powerful for doing so as you slowly take in the scene and the details. A story of geological time travel - you are right there after the moment when the glaciers melted and revealed their shaping of this unique Dales landscape.

“Your eye-line is low and looking up, as if below all the ice that carved and deposited all this stone is above you pressing down. It fills my imagination with the power of nature that formed this scene so gets my top marks.”

Stephen wins a break at one of the three multi-award winning Cottage in the Dales luxury cottages in Wensleydale or Bishopdale for his effort.

Diane Howarth, director of Cottage in the Dales added: “We have been delighted to support the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust photography calendar competition this year and provide the winner with a short break at one of our luxury cottages, to hopefully take even more beautiful photos.

“We are amazed that the number of entries has increased dramatically from 200 last year to 350 this year and look forward to showcasing the winning 12 in the YDMT 2020 calendar, which will be in each of our cottages of course for our guests to enjoy, and hopefully buy one too.”

Runner up in the competition was Les Fitton’s shot ‘Mountain Express approaches Ais Gill Summit’.

Judge Ian said: “I love the contrast and balance of machine and nature and how the machine and distinctive Dales landscape combine through the blending of smoke and the snow. It’s a beautiful scene and captured image that is pin sharp.”

Stephen and Les’ images will join other entries in YDMT’s ‘Yorkshire Dales’ calendar which is being designed by Fever Digital. It will be launched in August.

All money raised will help to support YDMT’s work to support the people, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.