My entry to the Landscape Photographer of the Year Competition

Like all of us I agonised over this years entry to Landscape Photographer of the Year (LPOTY). Some landscapers have issues with the competition which I understand but I think the competition does nothing but good for photography in the UK and should be supported and encouraged. I think Charlie Waite has created a great showcase for some fabulous images and each year it gets better. (The closing date is tomorrow, 15th July at mid-day, so get your entries in quick).

I would love it to be based on a portfolio of images to decide the ‘Landscape Photographer of the Year’ as this would select a photographer who consistently produces excellence. Last years winner, Antony Spencer, was one such photographer - an amazing and very hard working photographer who produces stunning images year round.

For those of us who make our living from photography or who aspire to, the competition is one way to raise our profile and help us secure work. I think it is safe to say most, if not all, of the previous winners have gone on to become successful photographers in their own right, partly thanks to winning the competition. Certainly, Tony speaks of how his life has been transformed over the last twelve months since his well deserved win. So our entry deserves careful consideration - it could be a life changer.

This year as I pulled my entry together it bought home to me how little time I have given over to my own work - working alone in the landscape trying to capture epic light, weather and atmosphere in wonderful locations. I have spent too much time either teaching photography or fulfilling client commissions. I must change this in the coming year. I certainly don’t have a potential winner in my submission - very far from it. I think the best I can hope for is an image in the book and I would be delighted to achieve that. In reality, I fully expect my entry to sink without a trace. (Last year only one of my images got through the first stage - it then went on to win a Judges Choice which blew me away but all the others died under the judges mice).

So this year, like last year, I have opted for more unusual images on the whole. My guess is they will see thousands of sunsets and sunrises at great locations. Maybe to catch an eye and give them a ‘refreshing change’ (remember those old Tango adverts?) we need to submit something a bit different. I have included a couple of film pinhole images and one from my Holga. I have held back from entering anything textured as I am guessing they would be disqualified as being over manipulated. I don’t think for a minute the bluebell images will do anything - they must see hundreds of stunning bluebell wood shots which will outshine mine. Some have come from the trusty LX5 compact which won me the prize last year and the rest from the 5D mk2.

Anyway, for those who are interested, here are 10 of my 15 images for this year. A bit of a hotchpotch. And, yes, I have sneaked in a couple of lone cloud shots... well, it would be rude not to.

(only 1 photo will show below but if you click the 'Read More' link below the photo you will see the others)