Competition success for Valleys photographer

A 46 year old from Senghenydd has won a gold medal in the final of a national skills competition.

Backed by the Welsh Government through the European Social Fund, Skills Competition Wales is a series of events held in colleges across the country, designed to celebrate vocational skills and create highly skilled, talented employees for the Welsh workforce.

Johanna Skelding, who is currently studying for a three year Foundation Degree in Digital Photography at Coleg y Cymoedd, competed against seven other students from across Wales in a photography competition.

The competitors were tasked with producing photographs along the theme of ‘Year of the Sea’. The competitors submitted photographs to be used by Visit wales, to encourage tourists to visit destinations along the Welsh coastline in particular.

For her submission, Johanna photographed Cardiff Bay, Penarth, New Quay, Southerndown and Rest Bay.

Johanna said,” It was my grandfather that first got me interested in photography, when I was about ten years old. He would ask me to pose for photos and he used to make his own frames. He gave me his camera which inspired me to take up photography as a hobby.

I find photography really therapeutic. I’m part of a camera club in Caerphilly and some photographers in our group have done photography for some very prominent magazines, including National Geographic.

Being able to chat to them and share experiences has really inspired me and got my creative juices flowing.

My dream would be to exhibit my work in a gallery and I think the competition has helped me become closer to achieving this”.

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