A SHOT of an Apache helicopter flying over a large explosion has won a soldier from the Borders first prize in a British Army Photographic Competition.

Corporal Jamie Peters, from Jedburgh, an Army Photographer with the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), captured the image - entitled 'Fireball Flyers’ - at the Royal International Air Show at RAF Fairford.

has won Best Overall Image as voted for by the public on Facebook in this year’s Army Photographic Competition with his shot of an Apache.

Jamie, who has been in the photographic trade for four years and currently lives in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, with wife Vicky, said: “I was pretty happy when I found out I’d won.

“The photo was taken at the Royal International Air Show at RAF Fairford. I spoke to the Apache Display Team guy when he was in the office, and got the timetable of events for that weekend. On the Sunday I was up in the grandstand with about 400 other aviation enthusiasts, I suppose you’d call them, all with huge long lenses snapping away.

“It all came together and the pilot was in the right position and I got the image I envisaged beforehand. I knew it was unusual because you don’t really see an Apache with a big explosion behind it. Normally, when they’re firing at things they’re hundreds of feet up in the air. So, it was quite unique. And, explosions always look good with military equipment. That’s what everyone thinks the Army does - blows stuff up and shoots stuff.” Photography is a recognised trade in the RLC and there are 36 professional photographers in the British Army, assigned to brigades around the UK and Germany, and working as part of AMC at Army Headquarters in Andover. It’s a small and unique trade.

Jamie, who has been to Afghanistan five times, has been in the Army for 15 years and spent 11 years in the Royal Engineers before changing to the photographic trade.

He said: “I did a surveillance photography course when I was an Engineer, that got me interested in photography and that’s when I found out I could do it as a full-time job.

“I got to the point when I felt a career change was in hand, so rather than leave the forces, I decided to transfer into a different branch, which for me was a better option. It’s a great job. Variety is key for me. I don’t like the mundane 'same thing’ every day. This year alone I’ve been to Cyprus, Kenya and Ukraine. Yeah, all over the place and each day is completely different.” Soldier first photographer second; photographers like Jamie have to carry all their personal equipment plus their camera kit. They go where no other photographers get to go and they capture the images that nobody else can.

“I don’t tire of it,” said Jamie. “The variety is what keeps the job exciting and fresh. It keeps you up to date. You’re always learning as well. There are always new techniques coming out and new ways to shoot a job. That’s why I enjoy it so much.”