Photography winners
11 October 2010
Thousands entered but only one was crowned RHS Photographer of the Year 2010. Vickie Howard took the title and also a cheque for £1,000 by capturing the judges’ imagination with this stunning photograph of tulips in the rain.
James Arnold, Licensing Manager of RHS Media and one of the competition judges, said: ‘This picture really stood out for us. The atmospheric lighting of the rain coming down onto these pink tulips had to make this the winner’
Vickie told us: ‘Late evening sun was backlighting the tulips beautifully even as the rain began to fall. My daughter held an umbrella over me while I took the photograph.’
Also on the judging panel were Chris Young, Deputy Editor of The Garden magazine and world-renowned garden photographer, Allan Pollock-Morris.
Allan said: ‘It was a pleasure to see the work of such a variety of truly talented photographers and to see how many people can give an individual view of new or familiar subjects. The only disappointment was that so many excellent images couldn’t make the final selection.’
The judges were also impressed by entries made by budding young photographers and picked 11-year-old Sam Kaye, of Radlett, as RHS Young Photographer of the Year for his remarkable close-up of a hoverfly resting on a plant.
A thrilled Sam said: ‘My mum took me to Wisley to teach me and a friend how to take pictures. I’m really pleased that one of mine was picked as the best one. I’d like to do photography when I grow up … photography runs in the family!’ Sam’s mum Su was also commended for a photo she submitted under ‘Garden Plants Study’ (pictured above).
Allan said: ‘It is a unique opportunity for young people under 18 to have a garden photography competition that is free to enter, I thought the standard of entry was very high and think the overall selection is an inspiration for anyone from the under 5s to the over 80s to explore their own approach to gardens and photography.’
Entrants ranged from 4 to 84 and came from around the world. The RHS Photographic Competition, sponsored by Medici Cards, was divided into eight categories including ‘Abstract’ and ‘The Seasonal Garden’ – a winner was selected from each. The Medici Cards Award is due to be announced soon.
Browse the winning images