Sky High Photography UK Shortlisted for the British Photography Awards 2026 with “The Frozen Viaduct”
Mike McMahon of Sky High Photography UK Shortlisted for the British Photography Awards 2026
I’m absolutely thrilled to share some very exciting news — my photograph “The Frozen Viaduct” has been shortlisted in the Drone category of the British Photography Awards 2026.
To have one of my images recognised by one of the UK’s leading photography competitions is a huge achievement for me personally, and something I’m incredibly proud of.
The photograph was taken at one of Scotland’s most recognisable landmarks — Glenfinnan Viaduct — but under conditions that gave this familiar landscape a completely different appearance.
The Frozen Viaduct
Glenfinnan Viaduct is instantly recognisable to photographers and visitors from around the world. It has been photographed countless times, so when I arrived on a cold and frosty morning, I wanted to find a way of showing it from a different perspective.
The freezing conditions had transformed the landscape.
A layer of frost covered the ground, creating a beautiful, almost monochromatic winter scene and giving the viaduct a completely different atmosphere from the more familiar images we normally see of Glenfinnan.
Rather than simply photographing the landmark itself, I wanted to concentrate on the relationship between the viaduct, the surrounding landscape and the patterns created by the frost.
That was where the drone really came into its own.
Using my DJI Mini 4 Pro, I was able to move above the landscape and look for a composition that simply wouldn’t have been possible from ground level.
The result was “The Frozen Viaduct.”
The British Photography Awards describes the image as “a cold and frosty morning at Glenfinnan, a different side to one of Scotland’s most recognisable landscapes.”
Seeing those words alongside my photograph on the official British Photography Awards shortlist was a very proud moment.
From a Cold Morning in Scotland to the British Photography Awards Shortlist
Photography has always been about much more than simply taking a photograph for me.
It’s about finding the right conditions, looking for different compositions and sometimes being prepared to get out of bed early, travel somewhere special and wait for the right moment.
Landscape photography, city photography and aerial photography all offer different challenges, but the same principles apply — light, composition, timing and understanding your camera or drone.
Being shortlisted for the British Photography Awards is particularly rewarding because I’ve spent years developing my photography and constantly trying to improve my own work.
And it’s something I now enjoy passing on to other photographers.
Sharing What I’ve Learned Through My Photography Workshops
Alongside photographing landscapes, cities and aerial locations, I run photography workshops in Manchester, helping photographers develop their skills and get more from their cameras.
My workshops are designed to be friendly and practical, whether you’re just starting out or simply want to take your photography further.
I cover everything from getting off Auto mode and understanding the exposure triangle, through to composition and finding the best locations around Manchester.
I also run night photography workshops, where we explore Manchester after dark and look at techniques such as long exposures, light trails and capturing the city’s architecture and atmosphere.
Locations can include some of Manchester’s most recognisable areas, including Castlefield, St Peter’s Square and the city centre, giving photographers the opportunity to put the techniques into practice rather than simply learning them in a classroom.
The workshops are available as private 1-to-1 sessions or small group workshops, making them suitable for photographers who want a more personal approach.
Manchester Drone Photography Workshops
My passion for aerial photography has also led me to offer drone photography training in Manchester.
Flying a drone and taking a good photograph with one are two very different things.
Knowing how to operate the drone is only part of the process. Understanding aerial composition, camera settings, light, exposure and movement is what can really make the difference between simply recording a view from above and creating a strong photograph.
My Manchester drone photography workshops are designed to help photographers develop those skills through practical, hands-on training.
Depending on the workshop, we can look at areas such as:
- Aerial composition
- Drone camera settings
- Exposure and shutter speed
- Working with changing light
- Planning aerial photographs
- Night-time city photography
- Hyperlapse photography
- Cinematic drone movements
- Developing a more creative approach to aerial photography
I offer both private 1-to-1 drone photography training and small group workshops, allowing the sessions to be tailored to the photographer’s experience and goals.
My experience photographing locations such as Glenfinnan, as well as many of the UK’s landscapes and cities, feeds directly into the way I approach this training.
Why I Love Helping Other Photographers
One of the most rewarding parts of photography for me isn’t just creating my own images.
It’s seeing someone else improve.
I remember how much there is to learn when you’re trying to move beyond automatic settings, understand exposure, find better compositions or get your first really strong image.
That’s why I enjoy keeping my workshops practical and approachable.
Whether you’re picking up a camera for the first time, trying to improve your landscape photography, wanting to learn night photography in Manchester or looking to get more from your drone, my aim is to help you understand why you’re making the settings and creative decisions you’re making.
Ultimately, that’s what photography is about — developing your own eye and learning how to turn the scene in front of you into the image you imagined.
Please Vote for “The Frozen Viaduct”
Being shortlisted for the British Photography Awards 2026 is already a huge honour, but there is now an opportunity for the public to support the image too.
If you like “The Frozen Viaduct”, I would really appreciate your vote in the Drone category.
There is no lengthy sign-up process, and the British Photography Awards allows one vote per category per IP address.
You can view the photograph and cast your vote on the official British Photography Awards website here:
The Frozen Viaduct – British Photography Awards 2026 Shortlist
Every vote genuinely means a lot, and I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported my photography and Sky High Photography UK over the last few years.
Thank You for Supporting Sky High Photography UK
From photographing the frosty landscape around Glenfinnan to teaching photographers in Manchester, my photography continues to take me to some incredible places and introduce me to some fantastic people.
Being shortlisted for the British Photography Awards is another exciting milestone in that journey.
And hopefully, this is just the beginning.
If you’d like to improve your photography, learn night photography around Manchester or develop your aerial photography skills, take a look at my Manchester photography workshops and drone photography training at:
Thank you for following, supporting and sharing my work.
And if you have a spare moment, please head over to the British Photography Awards and vote for “The Frozen Viaduct”.
It would mean a huge amount.