Rolling mist over cliffs wins photography contest

An image of mist rolling over cliffs has been selected as the winner in a South West Coast Path photography competition.

The South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA), the charity which cares for the path, hosts the annual South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year competition. It has been running for 14 years and attracts up to 1,500 entries.

Organisers said Dorset-based photographer, Neil Barnes, won the 2025 competition for his image, Falling Fog. The picture of mist rolling over cliffs at West Bay was captured on a winter's morning, while Barnes walked his dog.

Barnes said: "This felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was absolutely thrilled to be able to capture it."

The association said the 2025 competition expanded to include seven categories, plus a SWCP team pick.

Jessica Lennan, a lecturer in photography at Plymouth University, was one of three judges.

She said of the winning image: "It's a quiet image that invites both admiration and reflection, showing the coast as a place of delicate balance and constant transformation.

"At first glance, the scene appears serene and almost timeless, but look a little closer, and the signs of a recent landslide reveal the coastline's underlying fragility."

Emma Eccles was the winner of the nature category for her image, In the Pinks!, taken at Trebarwith Strand in North Cornwall.

Judge Heidi Morstang, associate professor in photography at Plymouth University, said: "This beautifully composed image immediately invites the viewer to follow the path and step into the scene."

The winner of the climate change category was Marlena Ciach with the High Tide on Porlock Marsh image taken on Exmoor.

Director of the association and one of the judges, Julian Gray, said: "The high tide waters engulfing Porlock Marsh indicate the threat of rising sea levels to our coastal lowlands."

Photographer Keith Mason was the winner of the people and path category for his image NCI - Monitoring the seas at Cape Cornwall.

Judge Lennan said the "strong and engaging" image draws attention to those who live and work along the path.

The wildlife category winner was Archie Raistrick for his image of Snail Snacks in north Devon.

Judge Mortstang described the photograph as an "engaging portrait of a young badger in its natural habitat".

Photographer George Cryer was crowned the winner of the sky shot category for his Pedn Vounder Sunrise image in Porthcurno, West Cornwall.

"This evocative image of Pedn Vounder beach from the sky shows why this part of Cornwall inspires so many artists," judge Gray said.

The urban lines category winner was Shaun Davey for his High Tide at Dusk in Lynmouth at Christmas image.

Judge Lennan said Lynmouth would not normally be thought of as urban, but said "this image makes it work beautifully".

"Taken at dusk, just as the lights have switched on, there's a warm glow that runs along the houses, the seafront, and the bridge, tracing the lines and shapes of the town," Lennan said.

The winner of the young photographer of the year category was 17-year old Arthur Allan for his image of Rubbing Shoulders on Gwennap Head in west Cornwall.

Morstang said the image of two resting choughs was "charming and sensitively observed".

Photographer Charisse Wold was the winner of the South West Coast Path team pick category for the image of Golden Hour Magic in south Devon.

Lorna Sherriff, SWCP national trail officer, said: "When I first saw this image, it immediately drew me in, and I felt as though I was sitting on the coast, experiencing the sunset myself."

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