“To me, photography is an art of observation. It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place…I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.”
*ENTRIES FOR OUR COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED
Thank you to all who entered from All around the World!
We are delighted to share the winning Entries in each category.
Youth Photographers aged 17 and under
First Place
At Changi Airport, I captured a fleeting moment - a lone traveller walking through a beam of light, surrounded by deep shadows. This image reflects the hard moments we often face in life’s journey. Though covered by darkness, the light guides his steps forward. To me, he symbolises resilience—how we continue moving, even when the path is uncertain. A reminder that even in solitude, there is strength, purpose, and hope.
- Ze Yang Khoo age 15
Second Place
Wallflower - People do not usually take notice of the moss or plants growing on buildings. Between the bricks and pavements, there is always some sort of life form, trying to make a stand in this world. Their resilience and adaptability often underestimated, many try to clear them out but they just keep on coming back, stronger. Noticing these small organisms requires close observation as well as a true appreciation for their strength, and I hope by capturing its figure, I can give it the credit it deserves.
- Tin Lam Ko age 17
Highly Commended
The Shadow of Depression - I snapped this photo of my Mum when I observed her shadow on the wall, whilst she was feeding my baby cousin. I made me think about depression and how babies can often lead to it. The shadow reflects this depression as a hideous monster looming behind her. Her facial expression suggests helplessness, especially with the light in her eye.
- Logan Mortimer age 13
Adult Photographers aged 18 and over
First Place
Distorted Reality - This image relates to the theme of observation as it’s looking into the effects that depression has on many people and getting the feeling of not being able to see clearly and vision being blurred as well as the fact of not being able to speak up about what your going through. Using the clingfilm to distort the face also looks into the fact of being unseen during the time of need and the feeling as is no one sees the struggles you’re going through and it going unnoticed. Distorting the image can also show a sense of being in the room but not at the same time just blended in with the background.
- Sapphire Bradding
Second Place
On our recent trip to Paris, we visited the Louvre and joined the circus of people cramming to see the Mona Lisa. I say 'see' because virtually no-one was looking with their eyes. They were looking with their phones. The rest of the room - which is incidentally crammed with other incredible artworks - was forgotten as everyone barged in to try to take a snap of the picture, take a selfie, and generally prove to the world they were there. They observed the Mona Lisa but they didn't see her.
- Tanya Brooman
Highly Commended
A pristine blanket of snow adorns a dense forest of pines, a stark contrast to the ethereal sea of clouds that blankets the valley below.
- Vedant Chandak
Our Judges
Jillian Edelstein
Photographer / Filmmaker Jillian Edelstein’s work has been published and exhibited internationally. The National Portrait Gallery has over 100 of her portraits in the Collection, was voted one of the ‘Hundred Heroines’ list of international women transforming photography today.
Anita Jeni McKenzie
Anita Jeni McKenzie is an award winning, multi-disciplinary arts and heritage practitioner. Her creative work encompasses photography and mixed media that explores cultural narratives, spirituality and wellbeing.
*Photo Credit: Steve Wood
Billy-Jay Stoneman
Billy-Jay Stoneman manages exhibitions for The Royal Photographic Society, responsible for the curation and delivery of exhibitions, call for entries, tours and other collaborative projects.
