STANDING in a cattle market on a cold January morning, icy fingers clutching her camera, Mandy Watts had no idea that the next click of a shutter would propel her to international acclaim.

But that’s exactly what has happened, as the shot she took on that fateful day has seen her shortlisted in one of the most prestigious photography competitions in the world.

Mandy, a student at City College Southampton, is one of only 100 photographers worldwide shortlisted in the open category of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards. It is a huge coup for the 27-year-old student, who only picked up a camera five years ago.

She said: “I got into photography when my partner bought me my first DSLR camera in 2008 and I decided to go to City College to study the subject. I’ve always enjoyed taking photos but it became a true passion of mine when I started because I learnt more about how my camera worked.

“I was in absolute shock when I found out I’d been shortlisted for the Sony competition.

I had to read the email about five times until I really believed it. I’d entered the competition with no real expectation of getting anywhere, so to be at this stage is an amazing feeling.”

Mandy’s shortlisted photograph for the competition was taken as part of her coursework. She is studying an HND at City College.

She added: “We were given an assignment called Little Britain and I decided to focus on farming. Coming from a farming background, it was something I knew about and thought it would give me a better edge when it came to taking photos.

“I decided to take some shots at Salisbury cattle market and spent the day there.

“Being an animal lover, it was an emotional rollercoaster but I captured a whole series of images in black and white that are so dramatic and atmospheric.”

Mandy’s work is being presented at Somerset House, London in May as part of the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition.

The 27-year-old, from Ludgershall, will find out if she has won when the winners are announced on March 18.

The Sony World Photography Awards are made up of three categories – professional, open and youth. This year there were 139,544 images from 166 countries entered; the highest number of entries in the awards’ seven-year history.