Photo winners announced..

RHS Photographer of the year

Thousands entered, but only one was crowned RHS Photographer of the Year 2011. Stephen Webb, from Woking, took the prestigious title and a cheque for £1,000 after capturing this spectacular 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.”

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 reflection of a watering can.

RHS Young Photographer of the year winner

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.”

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.”

Other winners included :

Cath Farrell (abstracts and details),
Turner Noad (Childrens photographer)
James Duffy (Gardeners)
Stephen Studd (Grow Your Own)
Matt Anker (Plant portrait)
Lesley Macbeth (Wildlife in the garden)

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.
To see all of the winning images, visit the RHS Website but keep practising, the 2012 competition opens in March 2012.