Caithness sports photographer James Gunn in line for prestigious title at 43rd Scottish Press Awards
Far north sports photographer James Gunn has been shortlisted in this year's Scottish Press Awards as one of the best in his game.
James, who is based at Halkirk, is a freelance photographer who has been providing top-quality images for the Caithness Courier and John O'Groat Journal for 14 years.
He works full time at Dounreay as the information and knowledge manager and does his freelance photography work in the evenings and at weekends.
The 60-year-old will be up against Michael Gillen of the Falkirk Herald, Ian MacNicol of Getty Images, Wullie Marr from the Press and Journal and Evening Express, and Andrew Milligan of PA Media.
The winners will be announced at a ceremony and dinner at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow on Wednesday, September 21.
James said: "I'm pretty chuffed to be shortlisted again – I think for the sixth or seventh time – but I've got to be realistic, I'm up against the professionals who are travelling around the world full-time, so it will be a big surprise if I win.
"We do have the advantage of having the surfing up here, and that is one of my entries. It just goes to show that you don't need to be doing the big events with thousands of people attending. You can get great action at the smaller local events as well.
"I think it's good to give the smaller sports like cycling some good PR and it might encourage people to get involved in sport locally as well."
James's entry this year consisted of five sports photographs ranging from football and rugby to cycling and surfing.
John Davidson, content editor for the two Caithness titles, said the shortlisting was well deserved.
"James's action shots add an extra dimension to our coverage of local sport," he said. "He seems to have a real knack of capturing the moment perfectly, and it is not by accident – he has suffered howling winds, pouring rain and clouds of midges to consistently supply the papers and website with excellent photographs.
"We thank James for the work he does and wish him all the best at the Scottish Press Awards later in the year."
The 43rd Scottish Press Awards recognise excellence across national, regional and digital journalism from across the country.
This year’s judging panel was led by Denise West, previous managing director of the Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd, and chief commercial officer of DC Thomson Media.
Denise was joined by 36 independent judges – which comprised 21 women and 15 men – from across the Scottish media, communications, and public affairs industries.
Ms West said: “Last year was every bit as challenging for the Scottish press as 2020, but the hard-won government investment gave publishers and editors a solid base on which to keep the public properly informed. The evidence from this year’s Scottish Press Awards entries is that Scotland’s journalists continued to meet and exceed the challenge with customary style and passion.
“Rising costs meant difficulties in the immediate future are undiminished, but so too is the commitment from Scotland’s journalists to maintain the supply of trusted, quality news flowing nationally and locally.
“As never before, the role of the press in holding the powerful to account is badly needed, and while the judges face a daunting task to select winners from some superb entries, we congratulate everyone in the industry, not just our finalists.”
The 43rd Scottish Press Awards are sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland, Diageo, VisitScotland, Edrington, Openreach, SGN, Glenmorangie, Amazon, The Law Society of Scotland, Women in Journalism Scotland, BIG Partnership, Event Consultants Scotland and the Scottish Newspaper Society.
More of James's shots which he has entered for the award can be seen below:
