Wandsworth Photographic Competition 2008

More than 400 photographs were received across all three sections, making it a difficult task to decide on the 53 photographs selected for exhibition.

The entries were judged by Ann Simpson of Snappy Snaps, Andy Blann from Wandsworth Borough News, Julia Martin of Photofusion, and Sarah Mason, Film Manager at Wandsworth Council.

An exhibition of selected entries, including winners in all sections, can be seen at the following venues –

• Earlsfield Library - Saturday 12 July to Saturday 2 August
• Putney Library - Monday 4 August to Thursday 4 September
• Balham Library - Monday 24 November to Monday 5 January
• St Georges Hospital - Monday 5 January to 16 February

This annual competition has three parts - Wandsworth in View, Schools section and Snapshot section and is supported by Snappy Snaps, Wandsworth Borough News and Wandsworth Guardian, South West Trains, and Photofusion.

Wandsworth in View
This part of the competition attracted 249 entries - revealing many different aspects of life and the environment in the borough - with portraits, landscapes, architectural images and some well-observed local details.

First prize is awarded to Brian McNulty for his photograph Time to Reflect. Judges were unanimous in finding this to be an exceptional image that evokes a contemplative mood.

Second prize is given to Julia Mills for On Reflection – a shot that creates a real sense of hustle and bustle, noise and action.

Third prize is given to Paul Beer for a beautifully composed picture Fishing on the Wandle.

See the winners >>

Snapshot section
The theme for this section is Happy Chance and 126 entries were received. Of the 18 photos on display show a broad range of ideas that the theme provoke - from the chance shot of an ecstatic kiss, to interpretive images like a busking musician on a busy pavement.

The winner is Monika Marion for her picture Ray of Light, and runners-up prizes are given to Kris Allan for The Kiss, and Jeremy Sayers for Monkeys in Tanzania.

See the winners >>

Schools section
Local primary and secondary schools were invited to explore the theme of relationships and submit groups of photographs. The judges were impressed with technical proficiency and range of interpretations of the theme.

"First of all students and teachers engaged in an open discussion about the meaning of the word relationships. In this we moved beyond the idea of simple inter personal relationships and expanded the theme to take in, for example, relationships with the environment, between people and animals, with the wider community and between diverse communities."
Monika Marion, Photography Teacher, Nightingale School

The winning individual prize is awarded to Harry McBride for his arresting black and white picture of identical twins.

See the winners >>