A hauntingly beautiful photograph of gnarly giant trees and a quintessentially South Downs image of a colourful butterfly are the winners of this year’s South Downs National Park photography competition.
Almost 500 images were submitted by members of the public for this year’s contest, which marked the 15th anniversary of the National Park and celebrated people’s favourite things about the South Downs.
The judging panel had a line-up of acclaimed photographers, including Rachael Talibart, Finn Hopson, Carlotta Luke and Howard Klein, alongside Jan Knowlson, Biodiversity Officer for the National Park, and Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the National Park Authority.
Taking the top spot in the wildlife category was a stunning photo of an orange-tip butterfly, taken by Thomas Moore.
Commenting on the winning wildlife shot, Vanessa said: “I just love the colours in this image and it really captures the beauty of the South Downs National Park.”
Rachael said: “It’s technically an excellent photograph and the detail is incredible around the butterfly’s eye, antennae and wings. It’s a beautiful image to look at.”
Thomas, who lives in Slindon and picks up a £150 prize, said: “When I’m not working, you’ll normally find me camera in hand with macro lens attached, photographing and learning about the huge variety of invertebrates that call the South Downs their home. I find photographing wildlife an excellent way to switch off from work as your entire focus is on what you see through the viewfinder – everything else, for that moment, is irrelevant.
“This photograph of the beautiful orange tip was actually taken in my own back garden. Every year we have lots of garlic mustard which we leave to grow and spread as it is a key food plant for the orange-tip caterpillar. As soon as the plant starts to flower I will spend a huge amount of time walking around our garden, keeping my eyes peeled for the fluttering of white and orange. When I’m really lucky, the butterfly will land just long enough for me to take a picture. I never tire of photographing butterflies!”
Richard Murray was crowned the winner in the landscape-based main category of the competition with a stunning, misty photo of London Plane trees near Midhurst.
Finn said: “I’ve been helping to judge the competition for several years and I haven’t seen anything like this before. It shows a different side to the South Downs National Park and is a fantastic image.”
Rachael said: “I really appreciate the effort and care the photographer has taken to compose this photo.”
Vanessa said: “I love this image and it’s great to see water held in the landscape. It’s something we have to get more familiar with as we adapt to climate change, which is giving us more extreme weather and wetter winters.”
Richard, who is from Waterlooville and wins £250 for his “Three Giants” image, said: “The South Downs National Park is renowned for its rolling chalk hills, sweeping valleys, and dramatic sea cliffs, offering truly iconic landscapes. Yet it is the many smaller, more intimate scenes that come together to form these vistas that I love to photograph the most. Along countless public rights of way there are these hidden gems, providing unique opportunities to capture the woodlands, fields, and wildlife that inhabit the South Downs and are the true beating heart of the National Park.
“This photograph captures a striking row of ancient London Plane trees that I pass most days on my way to work. Mist is rare at this location, and I’d waited patiently for the right conditions to appear. After days of prolonged rain, a clear morning was forecast, and on that day the scene was finally wrapped in mist with the sun struggling to break through. It felt like another world standing surrounded by these beautiful giant trees as I made the photograph, and just thirty minutes later the mist had vanished once more.”
Taking the runner-up spot in the main category was “Beam Me Up”, a dark, moody photograph by Ian Price showing a shaft of light over Belle Tout lighthouse after a heavy downpour.
Carlotta said: “I love how moody and atmospheric this photograph is – it’s unmistakably South Downs and you can just see the white chalk of the cliffs peeking through.”
Howard said: “This photo gives me the feeling of being there in that moment, so it’s a wonderful photograph.”
Ian, who lives in Eastbourne and wins £150, said: “I was born here, so the South Downs has always been a big part of my life – from exploring as a child, to mountain biking, to photography as I got older. I love the contours, the shapes, the colours, the hawthorns battered by the elements, the ever-changing coastline, the forest – the list goes on.
“Beam Me Up was taken on 20 October this year. The sky became increasingly ominous. Before I could think too much about my options, the heavens opened. I was drenched to the point that I could wring out my trousers. It felt that the only option was to call it a day. I turned back to retrace my steps, somewhat downhearted.
“Then the magic – the sun broke through. The light bounced off the clouds and lit up the Beachy Head Road and, fleetingly, Belle Tout. It lasted just a minute or so. A minute or so of mad panic to capture it. Then it was gone, back to dark skies and rain.
“That’s the joy of being out there, you might just see that moment and, if you’re a photographer, you might just be able catch it, bring it home with you, and hang it on your wall.”
Runner-up in the wildlife category was a charming photograph of a young stonechat in the Cuckmere Valley, taken by John Lauper.
Carlotta said: “The bird is looking straight at the camera! It’s got the cute factor.”
Rachael said: “This is a sweet, characterful photograph and such an adorable bird. The claws are amazing and very dinosaur-like, even though it’s such a small bird!”
Jan added: “It’s rare to find a juvenile like this and capture such an incredible photo of this bird.”
John, who lives in Pevensey Bay and wins £75, said: “I’m delighted that my photo has been judged as runner-up in such a prestigious competition.
“I was fortunate to see this young stonechat sitting on top of some brambles waiting for its parent to return and was lucky that it looked straight at me as I took the photo. I feel fortunate to live so close to the South Downs National Park as it has so many beautiful and diverse locations to visit both from a landscape and nature perspective.”
Winning third prize in the wildlife category was Ian Wood for his photography “Summer Loving”, showing a pair of two mating six-spot burnet moths.
Howard said: “I love the fact this photograph has captured the moment and there’s so much detail in these insects.”
Ian, who lives in Dorset and wins £50, said: “Lullington Heath is nationally important as it conserves one of the largest areas of chalk heath remaining in Britain. It’s such a great place to see lots of insects including the six-spot burnet which is a type of moth that feed on nectar from flowers thistles and knapweed. I love the South Downs National Park for its diversity and important work it does to help wildlife thrive.”
Taking the third place spot in the landscape-based category was Simon Newman for his image “A Hobbit Hole in Hampshire”, which captured early morning sunlight at a woodland tunnel near Cheriton.
Finn said: “There’s a subtlety to this image that I really like – it’s serene and calm. It’s nice to show off the beauty of Hampshire as a lot of people don’t realise a big chunk of the South Downs is in Hampshire.”
Carlotta said: “It’s so tranquil and evokes an emotional response – I love it.”
Simon, from Cheriton, wins a prize of £75. He said: “The Hobbit Hole came from a location I often walk our little Cocker Spaniel in the mornings.
“I have taken the beech tree on the left many times and the elliptical hole with the leaves and the hedge on the right caught my eye. This particular morning the sun was backlighting the scene and when I looked at it somebody said I should start looking for Hobbits! Hence the title! Living in the South Downs is rather special and we hope it will continue. We feel privileged and I am aiming to focus on it for my future excursions with a camera.”
Four photographs were highly commended by the judges: “Blue at Sunset” by Emma Varley; “Feeling Sheepish” by Ian Cairns; “Heavenly Heath” by Ian Brierley; and “Hungry Pecker” by Richard Murray. Ian Brierley has won a prize of a workshop with the landscape group of the Royal Photographic Society, kindly offered by Howard Klein.
All the winning and commended images, as well as other shortlisted images, will now be put forward to the People’s Choice. People will be able to vote online from Wednesday, 14 January for their favourite photograph and the winning photographer will receive £100. The online poll closes at midnight on 31 January.
Cast your vote in The People’s Choice here.
Here are all the winning and highly commended images. Well done to all!
