Stephen Webb has been crowned RHS Photographer of the Year 2011. Stephen took the prestigious title and a cheque for £1,000 after capturing this spectacular image of a carpet of crocuses in the early evening light. To see all of the winning images, visit www.rhs.org.uk/Competitions/Photo-competition . The 2012 RHS Photographic Competition will open in March 2012.

RHS Press Release

Thousands entered, but only one was crowned RHS Photographer of the Year 2011. Stephen Webb, from Woking, took the prestigious title and a cheque for £1,000 after capturing this spectacular image of a carpet of crocuses in the early evening light.

Chris Young, competition judge and Editor of the RHS magazine, The Garden, said: “This is one of those images that just transports you to a place and time – I can feel the temperature, the sun shining through and the pleasure at seeing the colourful crocuses pushing through the grass. The image really stood out to us as a very special photograph and one that gives the feeling of the first sign of spring.”

Stephen Webb, said: “To capture the drama of an early spring day I lay flat on the ground at the level of the crocuses, revealing the atmospheric scene of low spring sunshine lighting the bank of purple flowers.”
The judging panel, which also consisted of renowned garden photographer, Marianne Majerus, and photographer, journalist and head gardener at River Cottage, Mark Diacono, was similarly impressed by the standard of entries from budding photographers.

Thirteen year-old Dana Leslie, from Dundee, was named Young RHS Photographer of the Year 2011, with her image capturing the reflection of a watering can.

Dana said: “I love photography and taking pictures, and when I was in the garden during the summer, I saw how my shadow stood out in the really bright sunshine, and it gave me the idea for this photo.”

Chris continued: “The standard of entries into the competition was staggering. It was inspirational to see how so many talented photographers, of all ages and amateur and professional alike, can take such a variety of approaches to familiar subjects and really bring the garden to life through their photographs. I was particularly impressed by the standard of the submissions by the younger age groups – some of the shots were really special.”

The Royal Horticultural Society, the UK’s leading gardening charity, is dedicated to inspiring millions of people to garden. The RHS Photographic Competition is just one way that the RHS does this, celebrating the beauty of gardens, their plants and their wildlife.

The competition is supported by Medici Cards, and offers all entrances the chance to also win the Medici Cards Award and have their winning photograph published as a greetings card. This year’s award winner was Dace Umblija with an image of an apple tree in blossom.

To see all of the winning images, visit www.rhs.org.uk/Competitions/Photo-competition

The 2012 RHS Photographic Competition will open in March 2012. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk/competitions/photo-competition.

2011 RHS Photographic Competition winners and finalists:
Young Photographer of the Year: Dana Leslie
RHS Photographer of the Year: Stephen Webb
Medici Cards Award: Dace Umblija
Grow Your Own
1st Stephen Studd
2nd Pam Toler
3rd Stephen Studd
Commended Sandra Baverstock

Gardeners
1st James Duffy
2nd Joe Walsh
3rd Andrea Medd
Highly Commended Juliet Ralph

Children’s Photographer
1st Turner Noad
2nd Daniel Newton
3rd Matthew McCreadie
Higly Commended Ellora Sims
Commended Ellen Byrne
Commended Bella Seaman
Commended Monty Moran

Gardens Through the Seasons
1st Stephen Webb
2nd Teresa Brown
3rd Stephen Studd
Highly Commended Alan Wilkes
Commended Julie Watson

Wildlife in the Garden
1st Lesley Macbeth
2nd Lynn Mash
3rd Tim Hunt
Commended Geoffrey Adams
Commended Teresa Brown

Plant Portrait
1st Matt Anker
2nd Nigel Burkitt
3rd Polina Plotnikova
Higly Commended Tony Jones
Commended Stephen Studd
Commended Paul Harris

Young Photographer
1st Dana Leslie
2nd Ben Lyszkowski
3rd Henry Honeywood
Highly Commended Olivia Cordingley
Highly Commended Sam Kaye
Commended Dana Leslie
Commended Marguerite Chalkley
Commended Imogen Judd
Commended Eve Tucker

Abstract & Details
1st Cath Farrow
2nd Mark Saunders
3rd Andy Phillipson
Highly Commended Caroline Fraser
Commended Nigel Burkitt
Commended James King

About the RHS
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s foremost gardening charity, helping and inspiring millions of people to garden. We do this at our gardens and shows and through our scientific research, publications, libraries and our education and community programmes. We are entirely funded by our members, visitors and supporters.

RHS membership is for anyone with an interest in gardening. Support the RHS and secure a healthy future for gardening. For more information call: 0845 130 4646, or visit www.rhs.org.uk

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

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