It’s been a long winter, but the winning images from the International Garden Photographer of the Year contest will serve as an inspirational reminder that spring is just around the corner and with it comes colour and plenty of photo opportunity.
Now in its 12th year, 2018’s contest saw over 19,000 entries from 50 different countries and the winning photographer was named as UK shooter, Jill Welham who, along with being crowned as International Garden Photographer of the Year, also nets a cash prize of £7,500. Jill’s image, entitled ‘Fireworks’, depicts the details of three Allium heads with the wet cyanotype process resulting in intricate circular patterns and fluid shapes.
Image by Jill Welham/IGPOTY
Along with Jill’s winning image, the other commended and winning photos from this year’s contest cover a broad range of subjects and photographic styles. Mark Bauer’s stunning image of Karuc in Montenegro was awarded second place in the Breathing Spaces category.
Image by Mark Bauer/IGPOTY
Placing in the European Garden category was this calming frame from Vincenzo Di Nuzzo. The image was captured with a Canon 5D MkIII paired with a 24-105mm lens.
Image by Vincenzo Di Nuzzo/IGPOTY
Not all garden scenes are surrounded by countryside, as Richard Bloom’s image from the ‘Greening The City’ category proves.Riachard used a wide angle 16-35mm lens to capture the view.
Image by Richard Bloom/IGPOTY
Another image from the ‘Greening The City’ category was this juxtaposed scene from Joel Porterfield, mixing greenery with urban brickwork.
Image by Joel Porterfield/IGPOTY
Annette Lepple placed in the ‘Beauty Of Plants’ with this spectacular captured on a Canon 5D MkII with a 70-300mm lens.
Image by Annette Lepple/IGPOTY
Ross Hoddinott was a finalist in the ‘Wildlife In The Garden’ category for this awe-inspiring image of a marbled white butterfly, captured in backlight.
Image by Ross Hoddinott/IGPOTY
Placing in the Wildflower Landscape category was this shot of a field of poppies by Simon Lea, which was captured on a Nikon D750 paired with a 24-85mm lens.
Image by Simon Lea/IGPOTY
Roberto Marchegiani was named winner of the ‘Trees, Woods & Forests winner’ category for this image of the Atchafalaya Basin in Louisiana, USA.
Image by Roberto Marchegiani/IGPOTY
Also placing in the ‘Trees, Woods & Forests winner’ category was this image by Paul Marcellini, captured along the Chipola River in Florida, USA using a Canon 5DSR.
Image by Paul Marcellini/IGPOTY