MEET THE WINNERS!
A big hand to to our 2020 winners – and a chance to learn more about their winning images.
NATURE WINNER JASON PARNELL-BROOKES
We say: Jason has done brilliantly to capture what feels like a very personal moment in this sparrow’s behaviour. Nicely framed, softly lit, with the background nicely out of focus to avoid distraction – in fact only the key points of its eyes and beak are totally in focus.
Jason says: “During lockdown I decided to attract the local birds with regular feeding and a drop of water, and my moment came. Travelling at walking speed is perfect to take in all the sights and sounds deeply. Having a camera with you forces that connection to deepen. You’re actively studying the light, land, and everything else in it, building a picture in your mind before you snap the shot.”
LANDSCAPE WINNER PAUL ANDREWS
We say: Paul has done brilliantly capturing this gorgeous light, and to be in the right place at the right time. The technical difficulty involved in balancing the exposure for the snowy subject and strong light is formidable.
Paul says: “It was an early morning walk around Hathersage moor on a beautiful misty winter’s morning – this is the view from Higger Tor to Carl Wark. I think it’s important to take photographs of the things you feel passionate about, and to take your time and try to feel and capture the emotion of the scene. Taking photos while out walking can help to take us back in time and bring back happy memories. I feel really honoured and proud to have won.”
READER’S CHOICE CLIFF HANDS
We say: Cliff has captured that perfect moment – a stunning sunset and mirror-still surface, perfectly exposed to hold detail in the trees. It breaks the rule of thirds and it works.
Cliff says: “Glencoe Lochan is a favourite spot for my photography and walking and I was lucky that the sunrise was so spectacular. The midges were brutal though and it took a lot of resilience to stand in one place for a long time capturing the image! I love the magazine and often use it for inspiration both for photography compositions and for locations to visit. You’ve got to get out there regardless of the weather, and be patient. I often spend a long time in a location, exploring different angles or waiting around for the right light.”
BEST EDITED ALEX WILLIAMS
We say: Lightning strikes are very difficult to capture well and to combine this with star trails is a clever combination, contrasting the long exposure of the movement of the heavens with the millisecond flash of lightning. A powerful use of editing to combine things you’d never capture together.
Alex says: “We’d been having some incredible lightning storms but they were always one step ahead of me. That evening I had my head buried in editing some photos only to see the most incredible storm going on all around me. So I grabbed my camera and headed a couple miles out to Mordiford Bridge just outside Hereford. I was only able to capture the last half hour as it disappeared into the distance but I think I caught the essence of what was happening in the skies above. I’ve never entered a competition like this before so to be chosen as a finalist was quite a surprise and I am chuffed to bits!
It’s important not to get hung up on feeling like you need the best cameras and lenses. Take the photo you want to take and not what you think other people will like. Most importantly, have fun and experiment. We don't fail, we learn!”