Today’s blog is provided by pupils from Lochgilphead High School who were recently at the Scottish Parliament waiting excitedly to hear whether the Snapberry project had made it through to the finals of the RSPB Nature of Scotland 2013 awards.

Snapberry uses photography to connect school pupils with the superb and inspiring  natural landscape of Argyll. It is a collaboration project between Scottish Natural Heritage and Lochgilphead High School.

Pupils with SNH photographer Lorne Gill outside the Scottish Parliament

Under the expert guidance of SNH photographer Lorne Gill students are encouraged to take a closer look at their surroundings and explore different aspects of photography.  The results are outstanding.  Of the 5,300 photographs taken by the 24 strong group this year some have already been chosen for display at Taynish’s Piggery as part of ArtMap Argyll.  Still more will wow the crowds at the town’s annual Lantern Parade as they are projected onto the gable ends in the main square.

Snapberry students at Taynish NNR

The students’ involvement will culminate in an exhibition held at the school for family and friends in the autumn with merchandise made from the photographs being sold at the school’s annual Christmas Market. Here’s what two pupils who took part had to say : –

Ellie Donald :

“2013’s 5napberry experience was the second year I have participated in the photography project as last year I was part of ‘Snapberry Goes Fourth’. The great thing about taking part in both years was that this time around I was able to expand on my knowledge and understanding of photography. I loved going out to Taynish as there were many aspects to capture – the woodland, the shore and the old mill ruins. As I had already taken part in the previous year I found it a lot easier to capture images and I knew what types of angles worked best; I also liked being able to help others in the group who had just joined. Photography for me is a great thing as I love to get outdoors and explore. I loved Snapberry as photography is something I would like to pursue in the future, so this makes for a great experience!”

Ellie and Olivia Inside the debating chamber of the Scottish Parliament

Olivia Kerr

“This was my first year of participating in the Snapberry photography project. As one of the newest members of the course, I was unsure of what to expect. However, I had previously heard about the scheme from my peers and senior students who had taken part in ‘Snapberry’ in the years before. Encouraged by this enthusiasm,  I signed up and, as a consequence, thoroughly enjoyed the day. I loved how the experience differed from the previous school trips I had been on, and it was a brilliant opportunity to capture our local, natural heritage. Simply getting out and appreciating our very own countryside that would otherwise be taken for granted, and viewing our surroundings from another level, was a highlight. In the future I would like to consider a media related career, and I feel that the ‘Snapberry’ programme helped me to develop my skills and inspire me to do more in my local environment. “

Organisers Caroline Anderson, of SNH, and Lesley Donald, of Lochgilphead Joint Campus, explain that the project is ‘a fantastic opportunity to engage young people with their environment’.  Students work collaboratively from the outset, creating, discussing and selecting images and the project has become an important part of the school calendar.

Fergus Langlands shot of water lilies and reflections

However, it goes beyond the school with the whole community looking forward to seeing the students’ work either in school or projected on the town’s walls. ‘That is what this project is all about – bringing people together to share and appreciate the environment around us and to feel part of it.’

And the project has made it through to the finals of the RSPB Nature of Scotland 2013 awards in October .

A reminder … to see a range of the stunning images captured use this link http://vimeo.com/57674022