With very many thanks to our adjudicator, Glyn Paton.
2025 has opened with one of the best set of travel images I’ve ever judged, so well done to everyone. It has been a real headache to decide the best ones, but a “good” sort of headache. In the end these were my top three: Outrigger Fishing , Craft Work and Bull racing. Examining the images closely Outrigger Fishing was eliminated because of the area under the left-most sail. I have been given special dispensation to award two first places, each image is so good it would be a shame to deprive them of first place! And they are: (in alphabetical order)
Joint First Place
Bull racing, Mekong Delta by Omar Shamma
This image has power and dynamism. To deconstruct the image; the background is largely spray, which gives the picture its atmosphere, but the bush, bottom right provides an anchor point, as does the solitary leaf, bottom left’ish. The central pole with the flags is so important to this image. The pole provides the fulcrum of the shot and the flags that dash of colour. The ropes lead our eyes down to the bulls and the man/jockey. The concentration and effort is etched on the man’s face, not to mention the bulls themselves straining through the water. A wonderful picture.
Craft Work, Muscat, Oman by Sanjoy Sengupta
There is so much precision in the positioning of almost everything in this image that it’s like a painting or a film set where the director of photography has precisely placed all the items. Starting on the left with the window and the lantern. I’m not sure why you’d have a lantern there, but it fills a blank space perfectly, and then you have its reflection on the wall. Perfect! We then move to the mat on the wall and the craftsman’s head is placed right in the middle! Moving down and back to the left the basket making reeds lead us into the craftsman, beautifully lit, with enough detail to see the reeds being made into baskets. And the display of goods on the right hand side, bringing an effective stop to that side. The colour palette is beautiful, with the green handles of the baskets just giving enough variety and tension. Everything is so well positioned it’s almost like a still life. I would be happy to have this picture on my wall.
Highly Commended
Outrigger Fishing Boats, Madagascar by Richard Plummer
Where to start with this image? Obviously it’s about the colours, but there is so much more than that. The sails of the boats seem to have been made of a patchwork of other materials, but these add to the fascination and almost exotic nature of the image.. The colours make an harmonious colour palette, though the green patch, top left, pushes that a little bit! I’ve never quite seen a picture like this, with the boats weaving in and out of each other. Yes, there are a few overlaps of boats, but they don’t distract from the overall feel of this image. Besides the sails you can see enough of the boats and the men to make a narrative, I think that that may be “faded glory”
Fruit Vendor- Hoi An, Vietnam by Davide Agnelli
This is almost the absolute opposite of the bull racing image, that was tightly cropped and showed energy and speed. This has lots of space around it and provides a calm balanced image. The lovely patina of the yellow wall provides the picture’s atmosphere. The lighter part of the wall leads us down to the fruit in the left hand basket, the colours there provide a harmony with the wall, the vendors yellow shoe is another bonus. As I said I particularly enjoy the space in this image, it provides a peaceful feeling and gives the image its individuality.
Kara Tribal Celebration, Ethiopia by George Pearson
Without doubt the low angle gives this travel shot the drama that such a moment needs. The lighting is handled well and the faces are clear and well exposed. You’ve pressed the shutter at the right moment to capture good poses but more importantly the expressions on the dancers faces, they show real involvement. The dust around the feet gives us the impression of movement during celebrations. The two main couples are dominant enough to retain our gaze amongst all the other celebrants. This image is another excellent example of travel photography.
