Happy Snapper – Anita Ashworth

Anita Ashworth, a student at Newtown College (Part of @NPTCGroup) studying an A-Level in Photography, got the new year off to a good start after winning a photography competition.

Anita from Meifod, North Powys, won the Winter Photography for Spanish Equitation UK online competition with her stunning image of a black horse shying from oncoming snowfall. Anita first came to the College to do an eight-week digital photography course and has since progressed on to the part-time A-Level course.

Her interest in photography began after an accident which meant that she could no longer continue as a breeder of Spanish horses which she had done with a passion for 20 years. Instead, she combined her love of horses and photography.

Anita said: “I attended the free eight-week digital photography for beginners course at the College with lecturer Ian Savage, and thoroughly enjoyed getting back into learning, so much so, I enrolled on the part-time A level photography course as a mature student.”

The AS/A Level Photography course is available to part-time learners and those that are part of the School Link program available across North Powys.

Anita initially attended two-half days per week and had access to the fantastic facilities at the College, which includes a full Apple Mac computer suite, darkroom, and light studio, along with experienced lecturers providing knowledge on useful and exciting techniques. Though more recently the group has had to move to online learning due to the pandemic.

However, with the course inspiring Anita, she purchased a decent camera and lenses and subscribed to Adobe photoshop, and was soon enjoying snapping away in the great outdoors. Though she agrees that equine photography is her first love, nature and landscapes comes a close second. Anita succeeded in having her equine photos featured on the ‘Arena North West’ magazine cover and included in a double-page spread. She has now started to post some of her images on the camera club Facebook page of the local paper ‘The County Times’ and was delighted when her image of a ‘Landscape looking west to Cader Idris from Meifod’ was chosen to be in the paper as the Christmas image.

Lecturer Ian Savage said: “Anita has demonstrated enormous commitment to the subject and she has been able to develop her skills both with a camera and using Photoshop editing software to great effect. This has led her to achieve an ‘A’ grade in the first year of the course. Anita has also had to overcome personal challenges to ensure regular attendance at the College and to gain access to a wide variety of subject matter, including the horses and landscapes that she loves. Anita has been a great asset to her peer group and the Photography courses at Newtown College.”

Anita said: “I have another year to finish my A level photography and am considering doing a foundation course after this. I really enjoy my college experience, and am very grateful to Ian Savage for his patience and great teaching.”