A SOUTHAMPTON photographer has won a national competition.

John Cutherbert’s picture of Linn Jaw waterfall near Livingstone won the CEWE Photoworld’s My Inspiring Moments Competition.

The competition aims to “bring the joy back into photography” and raise awareness of its mental health benefits was in conjunction with charity Mind.

The CEWE Photo Award 2019 came after research discovered that one in five people now take the majority of their photos to portray a certain image on social media and 24% stating that trying to get a good photo to share on social media had made them stressed and anxious in the past.

John’s winning photograph was selected as one of the final 12 images by judge photographer Julian Calverley.

John said: “As soon as you lay eyes on a waterfall your mood magically appears to lift, your eyes widen and your senses go on full alert as an inner positive force beckons you to go closer, drawing you towards this magical, natural wonder.

“As humans we always feel amazing being near waterfalls, which is why I decided to submit this image to the competition.”

John, along with 11 other winners, will have their images in a calendar to be sold online at CEWE Photoworld, with £5 from the sale of each going to Mind.