THE first winner of the Daily Echo’s brand-new Echo Camera Club Dorset competition has been revealed.

Liz Greenway from Verwood has snapped up £250 in vouchers to spend with independent photographer retailer Castle Cameras thanks to her stunning picture of autumn leaves bathed in sunlight.

The winning picture was taken in woodland just outside Verwood which Liz said she discovered during the first lockdown and recently revisited to see the autumn colours on offer.

Members of the Echo Camera Club Dorset group on Facebook were invited to submit a picture they felt best captured autumn in our first ever quarterly competition.

Hundreds of photos were submitted showcasing the incredible talent on display amongst members.

Liz said she was thrilled to discover she had been picked as the winner of the competition which she described as “too good to miss”.

She said: “I couldn't believe it to find out I had won the first competition run by Castle Cameras and the Echo. I was feeling low because of the second lockdown and this fabulous news made my day.”

Castle Cameras said: "We absolutely loved judging the first quarterly photo competition. Huge thanks to everyone who entered. It was great to see so many brilliant pictures. Liz’s picture stuck out because the colours were so autumnal. The light she has captured makes the picture jump off the page. It makes us want to go build dens in the woods. Well done Liz."

Liz said she uses a Panasonic Lumix G80 and also has two Lumix cameras. The lens is an Olympus Zuiko12-100 which she said she uses for almost all her shots.

Liz said: “I have been a keen amateur photographer for a few years but, since taking early retirement in 2019, I have had much more time to spend on my hobby, which I absolutely love.

“My favourite time in sunrise for photography. There is nothing as magical as seeing the sun come up to greet the new day, and the special light at this time of the day.”

A new monthly photo competition is set to launch on the Echo Camera Club Dorset group shortly where members will have the chance to win £50 in Castle Cameras vouchers.

To join the group, visit facebook.com/groups/echocameraclubdorset.