RAF Photographic Competition Winners Announced
The winners of the 2020 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition have been announced.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s competition was reduced from 13 categories to four.
More than 900 images were submitted across three of the competition’s categories – Personnel, Current RAF Equipment and RAF Operations and Exercises.
The fourth category was 'People’s Choice', where the winner was selected by the general public after a fortnight of voting on the RAF’s official Facebook page.
Corporal Phil Dye took first place in the People’s Choice category after he received about 16,000 votes for his picture 'Helping Hand'.
The winner of the 'Personnel' category was Mr Ian Forshaw with 'NVG'.
Freelance photographer Edmond Terakopian was on the judging panel and said it was his "honour” to have been invited to judge the competition.
He said: "Given a difficult year, dealing with a pandemic, it’s been great to see not only great photography documenting some dramatic scenes but also a rise in creative photography, where the photographers are looking past the norm and digging deeper to discover nuances and multiple levels to their work. Bravo all."
Martin Keene from the Press Association was another judge.
Speaking about the winning image 'Astra' in the 'Current RAF Equipment' category, won by Sergeant Andy Holmes, Mr Keene said: "The winning picture stands out – aviators, ground crew and kit battle against the elements a long way from home.
"It’s a picture that would not be out of place on the big screen – and is pure photographic brilliance."
Sgt Holmes also won the RAF 'Operations and Exercises' category with his picture 'Ground Zero'.
Jim Hedge, picture editor at The Guardian and another judge, said the overall standard of entries "was extremely high".
"The work of RAF photographers provides a vital historical record, as well as illustrating the complexity, nuance, and character of that work.
"All the participants are worthy winners, and those we selected have produced a stunning visual showcase of the work of the RAF over the last year."
A full list of the winners and runners-up is included below.
Category A: Personnel
- 1st Place: 'NVG', Mr Ian Forshaw, RAF Shawbury.
- 2nd Place: 'Can’t take my eyes off of you', Cpl Ben Tritta, RAF Brize Norton.
- 3rd Place: 'Passion', Cpl Rob Travis, 77th Brigade.
- Highly Commended: 'Retired', SAC Kim Waterson, RAF Wittering.
Category B: Current RAF Equipment
- 1st Place: 'Astra', Sgt Andy Holmes, RAF Benson.
- 2nd Place: 'The Gunslinger', Cpl Rob Travis, 77th Brigade.
- 3rd Place: 'Face Off', Sgt Paul Oldfield, RAF Coningsby.
- Highly Commended: 'Pot of Gold', Cpl Tim Laurence, RAF Odiham.
Category C: RAF Operations and Exercises
- 1st Place: 'Ground Zero', Sgt Andy Holmes, RAF Benson.
- 2nd Place: 'See Off', SAC Hazel Reader, RAF Coningsby.
- 3rd Place: 'Helping Hand', Cpl Phil Dye, RAF Akrotiri.
- Highly Commended: 'Approaching the Dam', Cpl Rob Travis, 77th Brigade.
Category D: Peoples’ Choice
- Winner: 'Helping Hand', Cpl Phil Dye, RAF Akrotiri.
Cover image: Ian Forshaw's photo won first place in the 'Personnel' category (Picture: MOD).
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