Winner
Photo by Anthony Nuthall at Stonehenge.
Judge's comment: As one of the most famous places on Earth, literally millions of photos are taken of Stonehenge every year. Often, the key to a stand-out shot there is the weather. Salisbury Plain is a wild, exposed landscape where conditions can change quickly. Anthony has captured incredible natural drama here, with stormy charcoal skies offset by a golden light catching the left-hand faces of the monument. The choice to frame the picture vertically draws the eye to the sky as the main subject, looming ominously over the stones below and making them appear small — though anybody who has visited Stonehenge knows they aren't! Light, colour and composition come together beautifully in this winning shot.
Congratulations, Anthony.
Runner Up
Photo by The Till Family at Battle Abbey.
Judge's comment: A lovely frame capturing the sense of wonder and adventure that comes with a childhood day out to a historic site. The Till family took this photo on a summer visit to Battle Abbey in East Sussex, the site of the Battle of Hastings. Historic windows often make great photo opportunities. Here the sunlight is channelled in interesting ways, deep shadows are cast in the stonework and the girl appears in dramatic silhouette. A narrow glimpse of the refectory building teases the viewer, inviting us to imagine the wider vista beyond the walls.
Runner Up
Photo by Lucy Barrett at Wrest Park.
Judge's comment: Sometimes finding the most interesting photo requires a change of perspective. It might be behind you, beneath your feet... or above your head. Lucy spotted a great angle and some wonderful symmetry here at Wrest Park. I especially love how the decorative cornice work, perfectly positioned in the centre, takes on the appearance of a picture frame, mirroring those on the walls around the room.
Runner Up
Photo by Beth Cook at Osborne.
Judge's comment: Photographers talk a lot about 'natural framing' but Beth has taken the phrase quite literally here! The grand Victorian house of Osborne is carefully positioned between the leaves of a tree, in a gap just the right shape to hug the two towers and reveal a tantalising taste of the gardens below. The orange-yellow hue of the Italianate building is echoed in the wintry leaves themselves, and the choice to leave these colours natural rather than editing too heavily is a good one.
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