London Camera Exchange (LCE) unveiled the winners of the first LCE Photographer of the Year contest. The competition, attracted close to 13,000 entries globally, spanning 14 diverse categories including the public-voted ‘People’s Choice’ award. Open to all types of imaging devices, from smartphones to professional cameras, the contest showcased a vast spectrum of photographic talent and creativity.
Marilyn Taylor, a British photographer from Woking, Surrey, clinched the coveted first prize with her captivating image, ‘Long Tongued Bat Approaching Banana Leaf,’ captured in the dim environments of northern Costa Rica. Taylor, who has a notable background in engineering and a burgeoning career in freelance photography and golf, detailed her challenging yet fascinating experience photographing the elusive bats. This win adds to her impressive roster of previous accolades, including national gold medals and the Raymond Wallace Thompson Trophy from the Royal Photographic Society Digital Group. Taylor’s victory netted her £5,000 in LCE vouchers.
The competition also celebrated winners in various other categories, each receiving £500 in LCE vouchers. Noteworthy entries included ‘Sailing’ by David Higton in Abstract, ‘Speedsters’ by Kaushik Majumder in Action, and ‘Incoming Gannets’ by Linda Ariss in Birds, highlighting the breadth of photographic expression and skill across the board.
Particularly striking narratives emerged from the contest, such as Becky Bailey’s ‘Destination Dreamland,’ an image offering insight into her world as a deaf photographer. Another poignant entry was ‘Sycamore Gap – the Last Show’ by Ian Sproat, capturing the iconic tree at Hadrian’s Wall shortly before its destruction.
The awards ceremony took place at The Photography & Video Show at The NEC, Birmingham, where winners and runners-up were celebrated, and their work showcased in an exhibition, marking a successful conclusion to LCE’s inaugural Photographer of the Year competition.
Nick Richens, LCE’s chief executive, expressed his enthusiasm over the high participation and the exceptional quality of the submissions. The competition, which ran from October 2023 to January 2024, was supported by leading photography brands and judged by industry experts, underscoring LCE’s commitment to fostering photographic talent and excellence.
LCE, renowned for its comprehensive range of photographic products and exemplary customer service, has solidified its position as a pivotal player in the UK’s photography landscape, with the Photographer of the Year competition proving to be a testament to its dedication to the photographic community.
To check out the competition take a look at the LCE Photo competition site