Autistic photographer from Horsham wins National Park competition

As ponies gathered around a tree at sunset in the South Downs National Park, self-taught photographer Joe James from Horsham snapped away – and the result was pure magic.
By Jasmin Martin
Published 17th Feb 2020, 17:08 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2020, 10:25 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Joe James from Horsham won the National Park photo competition with his picture of ponies at Cissubury Ring in Worthing SUS-200218-102206001Joe James from Horsham won the National Park photo competition with his picture of ponies at Cissubury Ring in Worthing SUS-200218-102206001
Joe James from Horsham won the National Park photo competition with his picture of ponies at Cissubury Ring in Worthing SUS-200218-102206001

The 38-year-old, who has autism, took the picture when he ventured to Cissbury Ring, Worthing, with his son Simon to watch the sun go down.

Now his blissful photograph has won the People’s Choice Award in the National Park’s annual photography competition.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Pony Heaven’ received 2,020 unique votes – winning with just over 70 per cent of the online public poll.

'Pony Heaven' - Joe James from Horsham took this winning picture at Cissbury Ring in Worthing SUS-200217-164746001'Pony Heaven' - Joe James from Horsham took this winning picture at Cissbury Ring in Worthing SUS-200217-164746001
'Pony Heaven' - Joe James from Horsham took this winning picture at Cissbury Ring in Worthing SUS-200217-164746001

The security manager, who won £100 in the competition, said: “To win really means the world to me.

“The picture was just a bit of fun initially – I was trying out my new camera. We went up to Cissbury Ring and saw these ponies gathering around the tree. I just thought it was a perfect moment so I captured it straight away.

“As the sun went down my son and I listened to ‘What a wonderful world’ by Louis Armstrong on Spotify.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Joe, who is a well-known local advocate for autism awareness through his own Facebook page, has been taking images for the past two years and has been honing his talent.

“I’m autistic and proud,” said the dad-of-two, who has never entered a photo competition before.

“Being autistic means I learn differently – so when I first got into photography, I looked at amazing photographs of landscape. I didn’t know what the composition was, but I was looking at what other photographers were doing. So I basically learned photography by looking at photographs.

“Being autistic also allows me to hyperfocus on photography to really hone this skill so I can get the perfect image.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Commenting on the South Downs National Park, Joe added: “It’s that feeling of pure and utter freedom – having that breathing space around me. I can just take it all in and I’m overwhelmed by the beauty.

“Taking pictures is my version of mindfulness – I find it calms me and relaxes me.”

A total of ten images – including competition winners and highly-commended photographs – went into the People’s Choice vote.

Nick Heasman, countryside policy manager at the South Downs National Park and a judge in the competition, said: “Huge congratulations to Joe for a stunning photograph that captures the world-class beauty of the South Downs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It also conveys a message about the importance of these ponies and other grazers, which play a role in conservation grazing to help maintain the landscape.”

The South Downs National Park’s next photo competition will be launched in April and details will follow of how to enter.

READ MORE:

> Almost £10,000 donated to children’s hospice by senior golfers in Slinfold

> Storrington Community Football Club score professional website thanks to new scheme

> Headmaster at Washington school wins lifetime achievement award

Related topics:National ParkWorthingNick HeasmanFacebook