Portrush Airshow photographs shortlisted for award

Newtownards photographer Donna Rowley, has been shortlisted (twice) as the only snapper from the British Isles in a high profile photo competition.

Photographs taken by a spectator at last Summer's Portrush Airshow have been shortlisted for two photography awards.  Donna Rowley is up for two prizes in the Air&Space Smithsonian Photographic Competition.

Her two snaps to which made the final 10 in the Military Aviation Category, are the only photographs from the UK and Ireland to make to grade.  She is also the only woman in the competition's history to have two finalists in any category.

^{© Donna Rowley. All rights reserved.}

The first photograph of the Red Arrows completing their iconic manoeuvre called 'The Gypo Break,' shows a near once in a lifetime capture.   Donna knew as soon as she saw, she had something special on her hands

"I've seen a lot of photographers who have got similar photographs" said Donna "but those two planes at the front, as soon as I looked at that on the back of the camera I was just blown away by it"

He second photograph to be nominated shows the Coastguard and Lifeboat service in action at on the North Coast.  Donna said she was exceptionally pleased to see the rescue services receive some recognition for their work.

"Those guys put their lives on the line every day" said Donna "it's really humbling what the do, and it's great for them to get some recognition from it too"

Links to both photographs can be found here and here along with instructions on how to vote.  Winners are decided by an online poll, with voting open until the end of January.

People can vote once per day, everyday until the end of January

^{Donna Rowley with Squadron Leader Mike Ling at the Airshow in September}