In 2021, we have hosted a monthly photography competition for all our students. Every month, starting in March 2021, we have announced a different theme, and students had to submit their entries and photographs that should respond or be related to that month's specific theme.
An Academy's judges team would evaluate all entries and select ten shortlisted images. Those were then sent to the guest judge who would choose the winner. There were nine different industry experts guest judges every month who were thrilled to see our students' fantastic work.
In this article, we look at all 2021 winners of the Academy's monthly photography competition and the 2021 Photography of the Year.
Photography of the Year 2021
Photography by James Westlake, who was also the winner of March's Photography Competition, themed Rule of Thirds.
"This is Chiqui in a small bar in southern Spain after a short break from a photoshoot we were doing in the campo near one of Andalucias famous 'pueblos blancos'. I set up an LED lamp outside the window with heavy diffusion and the camera on a tripod level with her face, we tried around half a dozen shots (including one with the cigarette lit) but this (the first of the setup) was the winner."
Guest judge: Hugo Felix.
April's Photography Competition - Theme: Seasons
Photography by Daniel Oliver.
Guest judge: Anthony Griffin - "An engaging minimalist landscape photograph effectively uses negative space to define it against more traditional landscape photography. Here we have beautiful morning light, a learning line, minimal textures, shapes and colour. Dan maximised the photograph’s negative space while providing enough context for emotional engagement. It is an evocative image that allows me to wander the scene myself, with the other visible, solitary figures that we can see."
May's Photography Competition - Theme: Black and White
Photography by Daniel Oliver.
"I was on a business trip to Seville and I went to the Plaza de España to take some shots, something I recommend to anyone going there. This group of dancers were doing an amazing show but the most extraordinary thing was the sunlight. It was just like out of a golden dream, and I felt enchanted with Paulina, the dancer, and her excellent flamenco Skills. I “saw” the photographs, and spent a lot of time taking several shots from all angles. The one I submitted in black and white is one of my favourites."
Guest judge: Robert Irving - "Strong ephemeral mood/emotion. Dreamy & expressive. Lovely contrasts responding positively to a B&W rendition. Enough environment to help set the scene without it taking over. Considered decisive moment."
June's Photography Competition - Theme: Trash
Photography by Mick Jones.
"Save the planet, you’ve got to bin it to win it! Had to cut the bottom off our bin and place it on glass. Wife not happy about the bin but enjoyed doing the shoot."
Guest judge: Christopher Chan - "I love the composition in this image and how it draws your eye towards the centre of the frame. The concept is very clever and well-executed. Looking up at the subject is a different approach and gives the viewer the perspective of how much trash is thrown away."
July's Photography Competition - Theme: Frame within the Frame
Photography by Alexandra Kenyon.
Guest judge: Gabriela Ferreira - "This image made me stop... It reminded me that we don't need to rush things; we can slow down and experience life. In a fraction of a second, this boy turned his head and looked at the photographer. We don't know what happened next, but I like to imagine that he smiled and continued with his journey. This is the magic of photography; we can look at an image and create a story around it."
August's Photography Competition - Theme: Friends and Family
Photography by Zainab Mahmoud.
“My daughter Dalia. Double exposure in camera. Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool”
Guest judge: Daniel Norwood - "I like the composition and balance of the elements within the frame, with the eye being drawn to the main subject and the figure of a boy occupying the ‘headspace’ of the girl, the photographer’s daughter. The expression of the girl is poignant, almost mournful, leading us into a reading of the remaining elements of the image that might suggest restlessness or displacement."
September's Photography Competition - Theme: Your Culture
Photography by Sonya O'Donoghue.
“As an island, fishing is a way of life for many in Ireland. I was very taken with this man as he repaired lobster pots at Bullock Harbour in Dalkey yesterday. He was so concentrated and contented working away. I built up the courage to ask if I could photograph him and was delighted when he said yes. It was such a pleasure to capture this lovely gent and his old craft.”
Guest judge: Alecsandra Dragoi - "People define place and culture. Strong portrait with great use of natural light, great expression, well-balanced composition and great colour palette. You have created a nice contrast using the blue from the rope, door and jeans with the browns from the skin tone and wood, overall creating a nice harmony in the colour palette. Building up the courage to photograph someone unknown is a big challenge but very rewarding and I applaud your courage. You never know what story you discover from approaching someone unknown."
October's Photography Competition - Theme: Fashion Photography
Photography by Brian Sparks.
Guest judge: Maria Tzili - "Diversity is a very dominant concept in the fashion industry at the moment and it seems like it is here to stay. In my opinion, it works because it is an honest approach that does not put extra pressure on the consumer/viewer to follow some unrealistic standards. As a result, we all feel more included. Fashion photography may have a very commercial side, but I believe it is a form of art, often accessible by a wider audience. For that reason, the conceptual aspects of the image are as important as the technical ones."
November's Photography Competition - Theme: Serenity
Photography by Lynne Edward.
"A rare moment of calm, with my 2 'boys' watching something in the distance while the sun is beginning to set. (They actually sat like this for a couple of minutes!)"
Guest judge: Pat Graham - "The light combined with a simple and graphic composition and the textures of the subjects give a sense of serenity for me. I also like dogs so that helps a lot. The composition reminded me of the classic photo by W Eugene Smith of his children (A walk to the paradise garden). He had just returned from war and was almost killed. He wanted to take a picture which gave a feeling of hope and peace."
Congratulations to everyone who participated! The competition will return in January with new and exciting themes.
If you're interested in taking your photography skills to the next level or starting your own business, we have the right course for you.