When judging this competition I was looking not only for images which were technically well-composed, lit and thought out, but also photography that drew me in and caused me to pause and think more about what was going on behind the scenes of the image, and what the artist was trying to convey.
Amy Bateman’s “Convergence” took my breath away, both aesthetically and technically. I could have let my mind swim in this image for hours, in the blurred lines of space and perspective. The meeting of two opposite waters, strong and soft, calm and powerful, definitely appealed to my emotional tastes!

Richard Maxim’s photograph also caused me to ponder more than just the strong composition and well executed, thought out scene. Playing with the human form in a style which makes one marvel at the female body for the agility and strength, as well as choosing to hide her head in the book lead to more questions than it did answers, which I enjoyed.

Finally, “Review” by Brett Canet-Gibson was incredibly striking and really held my physical and mental gaze. Keeping the subject anonymous (identifiable only by his penetrating stare into the lens) was a fantastically abstract way to play with portraiture. The tones were beautiful, and overall a very worthy winning shot.

These and the other top 17 images will be exhibited at The Bridge Lounge in London for three months. Congratulations to the finalists and all who entered!
Winner: Amy Bateman – Convergence (£500)1st Runner Up: Richard Maxim (head in box) (£300)2nd Runner Up: Brett Canet-Gibson- Review (£200)Coco Harris – PierCharlie Nowlan – Broken iceNatalya Trotsevich – Goddess SeleneSimon hadleigh-sparks – Atlantis SG4Daniela Pasquetti – SilencesTawanwad Wanavit- FollowerTawanwad Wanavit – Fishing feetEnrico La Bianca – Fish marketBrika Weidmaier – Underground IIDieter Kaufmann – Abstract 1001Laura Visigalli – Drop a LineGiovanni ChianeseFrancesca Truddaiu – l’essenziale#1Alessandra Barracchia – my beautiful laundretteGraziano PanfiliFernanda Carvalho – DivindadeLauren Jenkins
Lots of inspiration here!