Judges Comments
This is a truly worthy winner—a beautiful winter bulb that is always a joy to see. The Latin name is Leucojum, commonly known as Snowflake, blooms just after the snowdrops, making it a delightful sight after their departure. Rumyana’s capture is perfect. The focus on the petal of the flower in front, with its slightly darker, cooler tone, is striking. But there’s this glow, this warmth, that’s coming from the golden hour – because of course that is pretty much how long it lasts – and you must work very quickly to get these kind of shots. Rumyana’s photographic prowess shines through as she skilfully captures the plant, employing cool shadows and warm highlights from behind. To avoid placing the plant entirely centre frame, Rumyana subtly shifts it to the left, enhancing the composition. This deliberate placement adds depth and visual interest to the image. Overall, “Snowflakes and the Golden Hour” is an absolutely fantastic photograph.
Winner
Snowflakes and the golden hour – Rumyana Whitcher, Yeovil
Highly Commended
The image is particularly captivating since it is all about the atmosphere. The early morning setting and winter landscape are evident. The image captures the essence of a mist about to burn off. On the left side, a warm glow emanates from within the frame, gradually transitioning from white to a warmer light. Moving across the image, the blue of the sky gradually emerges, hinting at the potentially cloudless blue sky within the next 10 minutes or so. It’s all about timing and this is why it’s so essential to shoot very early in the morning, especially in the winter months, because you have this lovely time when you might have a bit of mist and some frost and capturing those moments just before it starts to burn off will really reap the rewards of some amazing images. James Hunt has successfully achieved this with this particular image, so full of beautiful winter atmosphere.
Gredenton Trees– James Hunt, Warwickshire
It is an exceptional photograph that I am particularly fond of. I am well-acquainted with the garden and recognise this particular observation as one that I consistently encourage my students to observe during their studies. It is an image that requires careful observation, but once discovered, it evokes a profound sense of colour, which is executed exceptionally well. The concept of the plants pushing against the glass of the greenhouse, pushing out and creating a lovely glow on the green leaves, is beautifully captured. Additionally, the texture within the image is captivating and draws the viewer’s attention. If I were to capture this image myself, I would likely be drawn to a closer perspective, framing the glass against the greenery behind. However, I commend Kristina Sakhatska for her exceptional work in observing and recording this scene. Her ability to capture such a remarkable image is truly admirable.
Chelsea Physics Garden – Kristina Sakhatska, UK
Commended
The photograph beautifully captures a Fritillary, showcasing the intricate details of the plant. Firstly, the actual plant self which has these incredible checkerboard style patterns on the petals with these beautiful purple tones and it’s somehow been rendered into the background as well. Colin’s decision to photograph this at an early morning hour is commendable. The soft, out-of-focus dew drops captured in the grass add a touch of charm. Crucially, Colin has positioned himself low with the plant, which is essential for capturing such small plants during their springtime low-lying state. By crouching down, he is effectively peering into the eye of the plant resulting in a breathtaking capture.
Snakeshead Fritillary– Colin Cross, Dorset
A commendable example of botanical photography. It appears to be some sort of tulip and it’s a very beautiful image. It’s been captured with a great deal of skill. The photographer’s ability to focus precisely allows the backdrop to the plant to be as soft as possible, which really accentuates all those gorgeous patterns on the petals of the plant itself. A more complex backdrop would detract from the overall beauty of the image.
A small flame in the garden– Monika Sokol-Rudowska, Norway
I am familiar with this garden, which is located near Bath. It is a remarkable garden, and I know this specific spot on the side of the pond at the bottom of the garden. Tina has captured this image beautifully. It appears to have been shot relatively early in the morning, as the light is scraping along from the right side and hitting the boat. The image has a beautiful sense of calm about it, which adds to the title that Tina has given it. The beautiful steel water also sets everything else off. I particularly like the fact that Tina shot through what seems to be cow parsley or something similar. The bottom left corner of the image, which I class as a bit of dingle which you can shoot through and is a technique used to frame a picture and add a little extra detail. The lily pads and the water beyond the out of focus white flower helps to create a sense of calm and tranquillity for the viewer.
Reflections of Quiet – Tina Somers, Bristol
This local entry showcases Rose’s remarkable ability to capture the essence of winter in some simple seed heads. The delicate light dusting of frost on the heads is beautifully captured. The softness of the background allows for a clear distinction between each head. A wonderful colour palette, which I always like for winter shots, where the shadows have a really beautiful cool blueness to them yet the backdrop has this lovely sense of warmth in the light – an absolute stunning picture.
Garden Glow – Rose Hubbard, Shepton Mallet
