Compton Martin’s star-obsessed photographer, Josh Dury, has reached new heights with his latest achievement, winning The Historic Photographer of the Year Award, beating fellow experienced photographers across the UK.

The image “The Majesty of the Stones” was crowned the Overall Winner for this year’s Historic Photographer of the Year Competition.

Amongst a great selection of iconic British Landmarks, the pure elegance of Callanish brought the title home to Award-Winning, Recognised Professional Landscape Astrophotographer, Josh Dury.

This ‘Award-Winning’ image has given Josh this prestigious title and was an emotional experience for him after his journey that led him to capturing this moment on camera; after not having picked up a camera in over six-months and taken a photograph in overall year on the grounds of personal circumstance.

Earlier this year, another one of Josh’s photographs was shortlisted for this year’s prestigious International Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition, titled “The Engima of the North”. Capturing the setting of the Callanish Standing Stones against the backdrop of the Milky Way. Shortlisted from over 4,000 submissions worldwide, 140 images made the shortlist including Josh’s image.

After achieving recognition for two photographic competitions this year, it is safe to say that Josh’s confidence and photographic journey has come back with a resurgence. With his recent appearances on Television, Radio and Print, he was approached as ‘Starman’ whilst walking the streets of Bath.

Since this excellent news, it has emerged that Josh may potentially be featured on BBC’s Countryfile in January 2024 and recently having been selected to become a affiliate partner of photographic supplier, Benro.

Josh recently was able to capture a rare sighting of the northern lights as seen from Glastonbury Tor, which sparked media attention with sightings of the Northern Lights becoming more apparent as we approach ‘Solar Maximum’ in the year 2025. With more activity from the sun producing stronger auroras, which are pushed further south in latitude, allowing them to become visible from the UK. All you need is a clear sky when a ‘substorm’ hits.

Speaking of Josh’s award-winning photograph, one of the judges commented:

Standing stones at sunrise with a gentle mist rising? That’s the holy grail for historical photography. Absolute perfection - Dan Snow.