The photo I keep coming back to
Every photographer has one. The image you can't quite let go of - the one you've printed and put on the wall, or the one still sitting in your camera roll that you return to again and again. It might capture a fleeting moment, a place that means everything to you, or something you couldn't have planned if you'd tried. Whatever it is, it's stayed with you for a reason.
In the lead up to this World Photography Day, we invited all RPS members to submit that photo.
A special thank you to our volunteers, Trevor Litherland, Clive Watkins ARPS, Fred Barrington, Wayne Richards, and Sean Goodhart for lending their time to shortlist entries.
We're delighted to have had Christiane Monarchi join us as guest selector for the final round, bringing her expertise to help choose our winner (image above) and highly commended entries. Christiane is co-director of HAPAX Publishing and HAPAX Living Room, and founding editor of Photomonitor. She enjoys supporting new photographic ideas online, in print and in exhibitions.
Winner
Congratulations to Anastasia Potekhina FRPS! (winning photo pictured above)
Artist statement
This self-portrait was made in a single shot. My son holds a sheet of glass while I am reflected in it. By pure chance, our reflections aligned so perfectly that we appeared to share a single eye. I couldn’t have planned this moment, yet it came to express something I only understood later. At the time, I was going through a difficult period in my life, and my son’s support became a source of strength.
Looking back, I see this image not only as a portrait of two people but as a symbol of the bond between generations and those we love. In the background is a painting by my son’s father. It also contains a single eye, quietly watching over the scene from a distance. We inherit more than physical resemblance. We pass on ways of seeing, character, memories, resilience, and hope. This shared eye has become a symbol of that connection - a reminder that we never see the world alone. This is the photograph I keep coming back to because, over time, it has revealed itself to me with more meaning than I could have realized on the day it was taken.
A note from our selector, Christiane Monarchi
I have selected this image as my winner of this competition. As so many of the entries here were interesting and beautifully made, it was a difficult decision - however I have really enjoyed the personal challenge to embrace the spirit of this competition and see which image stayed with me the most and which I came back to the most. In the course of the last week I have returned to this entry time and time again, and see more in it each time I look. I commend the artist for their composition, craft, resonance of meaning - it will continue to stay with me. Thank you for sharing your creativity with me.
Highly commended
Congratulations to Bradley Wood!
Artist statement
Kharkiv, Ukraine 2023.
"You were there, you saw, you touched and heard the things they will never see; real life on the edge of death."
A note from our selector, Christiane Monarchi
I would like to highly commend the photographer of this image as it has really resonated with me, as a result of superbly considered composition, execution and of course highly emotive and current subject matter. Congratulations.
Highly commended
Congratulations to John Davie!
Artist statement
I took this photo from a ferry crossing the Sea of Ariake, in Kyushu, Southern Japan in October 2025. These poles are used in the cultivation of Nori (seaweed). The photo means a lot to me because a friend who was dying of cancer told my wife she loved this photo, so I sent her a card with this as the image. I like to think it gave her some enjoyment in her last days.
A note from our selector, Christiane Monarchi
I would like to commend the photographer of this image as it has resonated highly with me, as a result of superbly considered composition, execution and interesting subject matter. Congratulations.
Highly commended
Congratulations to Peter Stevens FRPS, AFIAP, DPAGB!
Artist statement
Photography is a passion for me. I am always looking for that image where everything comes together – the subject, the lighting, the atmosphere, the composition and the story. To capture something that nobody else has seen is very special. This image is an example. It was taken on a very wet, cold and miserable day. I walked past the café and noticed the misted windows, and also the empty table in the corner position. I felt this would be an ideal place for a warming cup of coffee, but more importantly I could see the opportunity of a striking image through the window. I was hoping for a stooped individual, maybe with a red umbrella. I actually got something much better. An elderly man, taking support, just resting his hand on the window. For me, this image is full of meaning, and tells a great and emotive story.
A note from our selector, Christiane Monarchi
I would like to highly commend the photographer of this image as it has really resonated with me, as a result of superbly considered composition, execution and many possible readings. Congratulations.
Happy World Photography Day!
Thank you to everyone who entered our World Photography Day photo competition, "The photo I keep coming back to." The calibre of entries was exceptionally high, making for some difficult decisions, and we're delighted to have shared the results with you. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who took part!
What else is on?
There's plenty of other activity happening across the RPS this week in celebration of World Photography Day. Check out our hub to see all the ways you can get involved.