Winter Moments Captured in Community Photography Showcase
Aberdeen Arts Centre and NESCol hosted a photography competition, attracting 60 amateur photographers.
Amateur photographers across Aberdeen have revealed the city’s quieter joys through a competition celebrating light amid winter’s gloom. The Light in the Dark initiative, run by Aberdeen Arts Centre with North East Scotland College (NESCol), attracted over 150 entries from 60 local participants. Winning images—from misty beachscapes to abstract urban glimpses—will debut in a free exhibition at the arts centre’s foyer on 16 February.
The competition, split into adult and under-17 categories, tasked entrants with finding beauty in Aberdeen’s winter landscapes. Adult winner Scott Carr captured the haunting calm of Newburgh Beach, while 17-year-old Julia Gunn’s Through the Broken Gate turned a weathered city doorway into a narrative of resilience. Other shortlisted works, like Georgia McLeod’s Lights Will Guide Me Home, transformed everyday scenes into striking visual stories.
L-R: NESCOL 1 by Uchechi Adeboye Newburgh Beach by Scott Carr Through The Broken Gate by Julia Gunn
Judges Steve Smith (NESCol) and Amy Liptrott (Aberdeen Arts Centre) praised the entries’ emotional depth. “Every photo tells a story, and the thought behind each composition was clear—whether taken on a camera or phone,” said Smith. Liptrott added, “The variety of perspectives showed how creativity thrives here. These images remind us to look closer at our surroundings, even in darker months.”
The exhibition is part of the arts centre’s Creative Learning Programme, prioritising community participation across disciplines. For Liptrott, the contest’s success lies in its accessibility: “We wanted to offer a platform where anyone, regardless of experience, could share their vision of Aberdeen.” Honourable mentions, to be revealed at the launch event, further highlight the competition’s inclusive ethos.
L-R: Aberdeen Beach Sunrise by Janice Forsyth In the Lane Next to the Hut by Georgie Quinn Skolnik Lights Will Guide Me Home by Georgia McLeod
Behind the initiative is Aberdeen Arts Centre’s six-decade legacy as a cultural hub. Housed in a 350-seat venue with a 1950s-era Children’s Theatre, the centre balances professional productions with grassroots projects. This competition, emphasising amateur voices, aligns with its mission to nurture local talent.
For visitors, the exhibition is an invitation to rediscover the city through its residents’ eyes. As Carr’s seaside solitude and Gunn’s fractured gate suggest, joy here isn’t always loud; sometimes, it’s found in the pause between waves or the play of shadows on stone.
Light in the Dark runs 16 February to 30 March at Aberdeen Arts Centre. Free entry. Tickets for the celebration event on 16th February are pay-what-you-decide. Get them now from Aberdeen Arts Centre.
