Thousands of photographs submitted from more than 40 countries made this year’s RHS Photographic Competition the best yet. Brighton-based photographer Heather Buckley’s striking image of foxgloves in the gardens at Great Dixter House, East Sussex won her the title of RHS Photographer of the Year and a £1,000 prize. Seventeen-year-old Mateusz Piesiak from Poland was named RHS Young Photographer of the Year for his stunning image of a starling and receives £250 in vouchers to spend on the Wex Photographic website.
Chris Young, editor of The Garden, who was one of the RHS Photographer of the Year judging panel, said: “The quality of images submitted this year made for an enjoyable but difficult task. The range of images we looked at demonstrates the enthusiasm and passion that people have for capturing the beauty of the natural world.
“The winning image, which demonstrates a fusion of skilful photography, patience and opportunity, is a perfect fit for the RHS Photographic Competition, as it celebrates the essential relationship between plants and wildlife.”
Winner Heather Buckley said: “It’s a great honour to be named RHS Photographer of the Year, as it’s hard to get recognised as a photographer and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to show my work to a larger audience.
“I am really a people and street photographer, but thought the competition would be a great challenge for me as I also love gardens and flowers. I decided to try taking some flower images in my usual street style rather than the close-up style traditionally associated with flower photography. I spent most of the afternoon trying to get this shot. I finally nailed it with this image.”
In Pastels by Mateusz Piesiak
Chris Collins, Blue Peter Gardener and judge of RHS Young Photographer of the Year, chose Mateusz’s beautiful image of a starling from a very strong field of entries.
Chris said: “By bringing out the colour in the wings, and tying it in with the soft colours of the dawn mist, Mateusz has created a work of great beauty.”
The competition was open to professional and amateur photographers who were invited to submit images to any of the six adult categories including Seasons, Wildlife and People, and two categories specifically for under-18s.
Click here to see a slideshow of the winning images and the runners-up.
Source: RHS – RHS Photographer and Young Photographer of the Year Announced
