Photography contest

Capturing the light

2022

With an abundance of fine photographs to choose from, the judges at this year’s photography competition were hard pressed to select the winners. But they persisted, and we are pleased to share the winning results

We were delighted to receive over 300 entries to this year’s photography competition. Amateur and professional photographers alike took part, and we received some fantastic photographs featuring Britain’s canals and rivers. Some were taken using digital cameras whereas others were from mobile phones. Significant advancements in technology have made photography a lot more accessible, allowing people from all walks of life to participate in competitions such as ours.

The four categories were British Waterscapes, Old Meets New, Living Waterways and Heritage Details.

Judges Panel

The competition was judged by four exceptional waterways photographers: Kevin Maslin, Margaret Beardsmore, Derek Pratt and Alan Stopher. Derek is the author of several books and articles on canal and river photography and has a library of over 80,000 photos taken over a period of 45 years. kevIn offers photography walks along the canal and his work has featured in BBC Wildlife and Waterways World magazines, as well as in the popular Geo Projects maps. MArgAret is a Staffordshire-based photographer and canal enthusiast. She has volunteered with IWA for over 25 years, being both a committee member and a leader of local work parties. Margaret is a Licentiate with the Royal Photographic Society and enjoys capturing landscapes, nature and people. She also held a waterways webinar on the art of waterways photography in 2020. AlAn won last year’s competition with his photograph of boaters waving at a train crossing the River Ouse in York. He is a member of his local photography society in Huddersfield.

British Waterscapes & Overall competition winner Marple Peak Forest Canal nicola turner

“Landscape photography is all about capturing the light, and this wonderful image portrays that in spades. Nicola Turner was the early bird who caught the worm and her superb morning study of the Peak Forest Canal ticks all the right boxes. The diagonal composition leads the viewer’s eye into the picture and the low winter sun filtering through the skeletal trees and picking out the details of the moored boats adds that touch of magic. The fact that this shot was taken on a camera phone reinforces my belief that it’s the photographer’s skill and not the equipment which makes a successful photograph.” Kevin Maslin

Congratulations to each of the category winners who will all receive £25 to spend in our online shop, plus IWA goodies. Please also join us in congratulating the overall competition winner, Nicola Turner, who will receive a print of their photo.

Old Meets New winner River Severn at Upton upon Severn Teresa Fuller

“This is an excellent image, well composed and with good exposure. The a ractive boats in the foreground give interest and colour. The curve of the modern bridge provides the ‘new’ part of the brief, while there are several references to the ‘old’ element.

The couple standing on the bridge looking down at the river encourage us to look into the distance to see the traditional boat heavily laden with aggregate coming towards us. But the piece de resistance is the modern lorry on the bridge carrying old steam engines. A very a ractive image, well seen and well executed. Congratulations to Teresa.” Margaret Beardsmore LRPS

Living Waterways winner Roger Agnew Heritage Details winner Gillie Rhodes

“Gillie’s image fully satisfi es the requirement for portraying a heritage detail but in doing so gets so many other things right. The lighting is good in that it avoids harsh shadows, the viewer can see the texture of all the stone om which it is fashioned as well as that of the wall which gives context to the scene. I loved the way that the milestone was shown o -centre and balanced by the grasses to make an e ective composition and the colour pale e is easy on the eye. Well done!” Alan Stopher

Rochdale Canal milepost at the entrance to Bottomley lock S is for Sowerby Bridge.

“Digital photography has made everyone a photographer regardless of whether you’re using a digital camera or a mobile phone. This was particularly true for the Living Waterways category where the quali of photographs submi ed was so great that I found it di cult to choose the best one. This photo of a boat crossing an aqueduct fi ts the bill as Roger has used diagonals to lead the eye to a focal point, which is the boat.” Derek Pra

A massive thank you to our judges and to everyone who entered. We hope you will enjoy seeing your photographs if they are used in our marketing materials, and that you are looking forward to our 2023 photography competition.