RHS Photographic Competition 2005
Nigel Chapman took top honours in the 2005 Competition. The Hampshire-based photographer’s striking images of Sorbus aucuparia (rowan or mountain ash) and Strongylodon macrobotrys (jade vine) were selected from almost 4,000 entries, from across the UK and around the world in the annual contest organised by the UK’s leading gardening charity and supported by fine art publisher The Medici Society.
It took the panel of judges two days to decide on the 21 winning photographs in the seven competition categories. Ian Hodgson, one of the competition judges and editor of The Garden, described the calibre of the images in the Plant Portrait, Close-up and Tree and Shrub categories as breathtaking.
Ian Hodgson said, “The best entries made a strong emotional impact. We were looking for something that surprises, a hidden depth, as well as a good composition, lighting and print quality. Nigel’s winning images capture all of these things.” Nigel was named RHS Photographer of the Year, winning first prize in the Tree or Shrub Category, and second prize in Plant Portrait.
The winners
RHS Photographer of the Year
Nigel Chapman (Headley Down, Hampshire)
Plant Portrait of the Year
First: Virginia Grey (London)
Second: Nigel Chapham (Headley Down, Hampshire)
Third: Peter Meer (Walton on Thames, Surrey)
Group of Plants or Flowers Photograph of the Year
First: Sharon Pearson (London)
Second: Charles Hawes (Devauden, Monmouthshire)
Third: Andrew White (Bridport, Dorset)
Close Up of Plant or Flower Photograph of the Year
First: Dennis Angelika (Mackworth, Derby)
Second: Gordon Rae (Hindehead, Surrey)
Third: Lorraine French (Rayleigh, Essex)
Tree or Shrub Photograph of the Year
First: Nigel Chapman (Headley Down, Hampshire)
Second: Mary Wales (Chelsea, London)
Third: Sally Holliday (Oldbury, West Midlands)
Garden View Photograph of the Year
First: Peter Savage (Reading, Berks)
Second: Allan Pollok-Morris (London)
Third: Ray Anderson (Pontyclun, Mid Glamorgan)
Wildlife in the Garden Photograph of the Year
First: Ross Hoddinott (Bude, Cornwall)
Second: Richard Austin (Lyme Regis, Dorset)
Third: Adrian Webster (Newport)
People in the Garden Photograph of the Year
First: Veronica Risdon (Crediton, Devon)
Second: Charles Hawes (Devauden, Monmouthshire)
Third: Christopher Mole (Hayward Heath, East Sussex)
As sponsors of the competition, The Medici Society provides the prizes and will also feature a selection of the winning images in the ‘Chelsea Inspirations’ greetings card range. The proceeds from licensed products such as these help to fund the many activities undertaken by the RHS to promote horticulture and help gardeners.
Judges
- Ian Hodgson: Editor of RHS magazine The Garden.
- Andrea Jones: a professional photographer specialising in landscapes, garden and botanical photography.
- Jo Whitworth: professional garden photographer and winner of the award RHS Professional Garden Photographer of the Year in the 2002 RHS Photographic Competition.
Competition prizes
- Top prize of £1,000 awarded to the RHS Photographer of the Year.
- First prize winners in each category awarded £300 each.
- Second prize winners in each category awarded £200 each.
- Third prize winners in each category awarded £100 each.
The RHS Photographic Competition is supported by Medici, the fine art publisher