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Springer Spaniel incoming: The winner of our summer photography competition

SummerPix2018: This stand-out doggy photo, taken by Dubliner Louis Smith in Lough Derg, Co Tipperary, is the winner of our contest run in association with Harvey Norman

Taken on a GoPro Hero5, this photo of Bailey the springer spaniel jumping into Lough Derg “seemed to encapsulate this incredible summer”. Photograph: Louis Smith

Tue Aug 21 2018 - 06:00

Our summer photography competition is over. We are delighted to announce that the winner – picked from 2,500 entries – is this exuberant picture of Bailey the springer spaniel jumping off a boat on Lough Derg.

The winning photographer is Dubliner Louis Smith who took the photo in June, after a “long, hot drive down from Dublin” to the shores of the lake near Terryglass, Co Tipperary.

Taken with a GoPro Hero5, the photo shows Smith’s dog Bailey caught mid-air as she leaps into the water. In the background on the boat are Smith’s wife Triona, his sister Jennie and his brother-in-law Phil.

“It had been a long, hot drive down from Dublin that morning and we all needed to cool off after arriving,” he recalls. “So we headed out into the middle of the lake for a swim. Bailey loves to jump into water and was feeling the heat so we couldn’t leave her behind.”

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Did Smith know immediately he’d managed to take a great picture? “When Bailey landed on top of me in the water I knew I’d a good chance of having gotten a good action shot.

“When I look at this photo I remember the summer we just had, especially how warm the lake was and having some fun on the water with my family and dog. I like that the photo captured Bailey in action – usually she’s jumping into colder water or just muck, so it was great to be able to get this shot of her.”

Our judges, Irish Times photographers Brenda Fitzsimons and Alan Betson praised the composition of the “joyful” photo which they said “seemed to encapsulate this incredible summer”.

Smith wins a Panasonic Lumix GX800 mirrorless camera, courtesy of Harvey Norman, who were the sponsors of the competition. It will come in handy because Triona, his wife, is about to give birth to their first child. The due date is this Thursday, August 24th.

Thanks to everyone who took part in the contest.

Summer Pix