IN PICTURES: West Midlands photographers showcase our stunning landscape

The annual competition, which was founded by Charlie Waite in 2006, showcases the best depictions of the Great British landscape.

Birmingham-based photographer Verity E Milligan was commended for this beautiful image showing the sky and hillside reflecting back off Loch Sligachan.

Entitled 'Lingering Mist', the shot was taken in April during a misty morning on the Isle of Skye.

Verity said: "My family hail from Dumfriesshire and Galloway, so Scotland has always been one of those places that feels very much like returning home."

Verity said she had to make a swift escape from the scene as the tide began to turn, blocking her access back to the shoreline. When she returned home work started to enhance the colours.

"My general workflow starts in the lightroom and moves to Photoshop," she added.

"My intention was to bring out the highlights in the hillside across the water, both above and below water."

This stunning shot, taken by snapper Paul Hassell from Walsall, was also commended.

Entitled 'Winter's Walk', the picture was taken near Bridgnorth and forms part of a collection of Winter-themed photographs taken by Mr Hassell.

He said: "Driving home one late afternoon along a country lane, I noticed this scene on the brow of a hill.

"A placement of a large old tree, a seat and a smaller sibling tree, along with a pathway.

"In the foreground, there was a field of spent straw stalks still showing some of their natural colours.

"The scene immediately caught my imagination and, having gone back several times, winters walk was born.

"A gentlemen worn by time in his winter years walks towards his trusty seat in early winter when nature is also shutting down, symbolising two versions of the season coming together."

This shot, taken by Tony Winfield, from Stafford, won the judge's choice award.

Mr Winfield, who is a member of Stafford Camera Club, spotted the couple on the beach at Llangennith Bay, Gower Peninsular, Wales.

Mr Winfield described the picture as a 'decisive moment' and decided to call it The Encounter.

The Encounter shows a couple reaching out towards one another, the man's wild white hair blowing back off his face while he steadies himself with a walking stick.

Mairi Eyres, aged 17, from Oswestry, took home the prize of the Young Landscape Photographer of the Year for her photo entitled Through a Water Droplet.

She said of the photo: "When I was experimenting with my extension tubes one morning, I tried photographing the dew that had settled during the night.

"I discovered that if I got close enough I could capture an image inside the water droplets but it was often so small and fine that it was hard to tell what it was.

"I like the way the daisy in this picture appears to be in a tiny world of its own but that the real one is still out of focus in the background."

Andy Farrer was named the overall winner for his picture of Bat's Head, Dorset.

The pictures will be on display on the Balcony at London's Waterloo station from November 23 until February 7.

All winning and commended photographs feature in the book Landscape Photographer of the Year: Collection 9 by AA Publishing, which is available now.

Visit www.take-a-view.co.uk for details.

Do you have an eye for stunning landscape photography?

Send us your pictures via Star Witness for a chance of winning £100.