[slidepress gallery=’rhs-photographer-of-the-year-2011′]
Stephen Webb, from Woking, has taken the prestigious title of RHS Photographer of the Year 2011 and a cheque for £1,000 after capturing an image of a carpet of crocuses in the early evening light.
Chris Young, competition judge and Editor of the RHS magazine, The Garden, said: “This is one of those images that just transports you to a place and time – I can feel the temperature, the sun shining through and the pleasure at seeing the colourful crocuses pushing through the grass. The image really stood out to us as a very special photograph and one that gives the feeling of the first sign of spring.”
Stephen Webb, said: “To capture the drama of an early spring day I lay flat on the ground at the level of the crocuses, revealing the atmospheric scene of low spring sunshine lighting the bank of purple flowers.”
Young RHS Photographer of the Year 2011
The judging panel, which also consisted of renowned garden photographer, Marianne Majerus, and photographer, journalist and head gardener at River Cottage, Mark Diacono, was similarly impressed by the standard of entries from budding photographers.
Thirteen year-old Dana Leslie, from Dundee, was named Young RHS Photographer of the Year 2011, with her image capturing the shadow of a watering can.
Dana said: “I love photography and taking pictures, and when I was in the garden during the summer, I saw how my shadow stood out in the really bright sunshine, and it gave me the idea for this photo.”
[pullquote]The standard of entries into the competition was staggering.
Chris Young, competition judge [/pullquote]
Chris continued: “The standard of entries into the competition was staggering. It was inspirational to see how so many talented photographers, of all ages and amateur and professional alike, can take such a variety of approaches to familiar subjects and really bring the garden to life through their photographs. I was particularly impressed by the standard of the submissions by the younger age groups – some of the shots were really special.”
The competition is supported by Medici Cards, and offers all entrances the chance to also win the Medici Cards Award and have their winning photograph published as a greetings card.
This year’s award winner was Dace Umblija with an image of an apple tree in blossom.
The 2012 RHS Photographic Competition will open in March 2012.
2011 RHS Photographic Competition winners and finalists:
Young Photographer of the Year:
- Dana Leslie
RHS Photographer of the Year:
- Stephen Webb
Medici Cards Award:
- Dace Umblija
Grow Your Own – see the images
- 1st Stephen Studd
- 2nd Pam Toler
- 3rd Stephen Studd
- Commended Sandra Baverstock
Gardeners – see the images
- 1st James Duffy
- 2nd Joe Walsh
- 3rd Andrea Medd
- Highly Commended Juliet Ralph
Children’s Photographer – see the images
- 1st Turner Noad
- 2nd Daniel Newton
- 3rd Matthew McCreadie
- Highly Commended Ellora Sims
- Commended Ellen Byrne
- Commended Bella Seaman
- Commended Monty Moran
Gardens Through the Seasons – see the images
- 1st Stephen Webb
- 2nd Teresa Brown
- 3rd Stephen Studd
- Highly Commended Alan Wilkes
- Commended Julie Watson
Wildlife in the Garden – see the images
- 1st Lesley Macbeth
- 2nd Lynn Mash
- 3rd Tim Hunt
- Commended Geoffrey Adams
- Commended Teresa Brown
Plant Portrait – see the images
- 1st Matt Anker
- 2nd Nigel Burkitt
- 3rd Polina Plotnikova
- Higly Commended Tony Jones
- Commended Stephen Studd
- Commended Paul Harris
Young Photographer – see the images
- 1st Dana Leslie
- 2nd Ben Lyszkowski
- 3rd Henry Honeywood
- Highly Commended Olivia Cordingley
- Highly Commended Sam Kaye
- Commended Dana Leslie
- Commended Marguerite Chalkley
- Commended Imogen Judd
- Commended Eve Tucker
Abstract & Details – see the images
- 1st Cath Farrow
- 2nd Mark Saunders
- 3rd Andy Phillipson
- Highly Commended Caroline Fraser
- Commended Nigel Burkitt
- Commended James King