'Bamboo grove, Dorset, England, UK' by Paul Mitchell FRPS
It’s the international competition which defies all preconceptions about gardens. And the latest edition is no different.
The 19th International Garden Photographer of the Year challenges whatever you might imagine a garden to be across nine categories including Abstract Views, Breathing Spaces and Wildflower Landscapes.
Here, we bring you six successes from RPS members – from haunting shadows in the Cairngorms to a light show in Indonesian mangroves.
Discover more striking garden images in the April-June issue of the RPS Journal, the magazine exclusively for members of the Royal Photographic Society.
1. ‘Bamboo grove, Dorset, England, UK’ by Paul Mitchell FRPS (see main image, above)
Commended, Abstract Views
“I have recently discovered the creative possibilities of in-camera multiple exposures, especially when photographing differing types of plants and foliage.”
2. ‘Long shadows, Cairngorms, Scotland, UK’ by Christopher Harrison
Commended, PMC Plants and Planet
“Deep in winter the Caledonian Forest is transformed. Snow blankets the landscape and this small lochan is mostly frozen over. As the sun set, long shadows appeared across the landscape, adding a slight hint of warmth in this frozen scene.
“Winters in Scotland are getting warmer and wetter, with huge temperature swings. The day after this photograph was captured the temperature went from -11 to +11 degrees Celsius, a huge swing.
“We must strive to both protect these precious landscapes now and collectively do more to ensure their future is secure.”
3. ‘River Glass, Glen Affric, Scotland, UK’ by David G Jones
Finalist, Trees, Woods and Forests
“This image was captured handheld during a beautiful early morning on the River Glass near Glen Affric in the Scottish Highlands. A light autumn frost had created the perfect conditions for early autumn mist and as the sun rose a magical scene emerged.”
4. ‘A dancer in floral droplets, Hong Kong, China’ by Diana Chan FRPS
Highly Commended, Wildlife in the Garden
“This tiny mantis was captured while on a curly plant stem fully laden with water droplets. The refraction of the flower behind is clearly seen and captured within the beads of water.
“The mantis does not merely stand – it seems to be dancing among the floral droplets. To me, this image blends scientific precision with poetry – a dance of life, light and water in a hidden world.”
5. ‘Light show in the mangroves, Bangka Island, Indonesia’ by Leena Roy ARPS
Highly Commended, PMC Plants and Planet
“I love diving and snorkeling in mangrove forests. They can seem dark and foreboding but when dived in the right conditions they provide a light show second to none.
“We timed our dive for early morning as the sun came over the horizon and the angled light filtered through, which created wonderful beams. The tide was high, clearing the roots and removing much of the sediment. I hovered just above the sand and angled my camera upwards to capture the leaves above the waterline as well as the sunbeams as they lit the incredible roots.
“Mangroves are extraordinary salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that protect coastlines from erosion and support a variety of life and help with storing carbon, which makes them very important in the battle against climate change.”
6. ‘The Devil’s dance, Finnich Glen, Scotland, UK’ by Mara Leite
Highly Commended, Breathing Spaces
“The Devil's Pulpit, a gorge near Glasgow, culminates in a breathtaking waterfall at the end of a moderately challenging hike. The green walls of the gorge offer a striking contrast to the vibrant red sandstone at the base.
“The swirling water in the foreground was captured with a ten second exposure, effectively conveying the dynamic movement of the water and the fall of leaves that show the early stages of autumn.”
Discover more RPS member successes from International Garden Photographer of the Year 19 in the April-June 2026 issue of the RPS Journal.
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