Almost 500 images were submitted by members of the public for this year’s contest, which marked the 15th anniversary of the national park and celebrated people’s favourite things about the South Downs. The judging panel included photographers Rachael Talibart, Finn Hopson, Carlotta Luke and Howard Klein, alongside Jan Knowlson, Biodiversity Officer for the National Park, and Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the National Park Authority.
A beautifully composed woodland image came top in the landscape category. Taken by keen local photographer Richard Murray, the image was shot near Midhurst in West Sussex.
Richard said: ‘This photograph captures a striking row of ancient London plane trees that I pass most days on my way to work. Mist is rare at this location, and I’d waited patiently for the right conditions to appear. After days of prolonged rain, a clear morning was forecast, and on that day the scene was finally wrapped in mist with the sun struggling to break through. It felt like another world standing surrounded by these beautiful giant trees as I made the photograph. Just 30 minutes later, the mist had vanished once more.’
Winner of the wildlife category was Thomas Moore with a stunning shot of an orange-tip butterfly. He said: ‘This photograph of the beautiful orange tip was actually taken in my own back garden. Every year we have lots of garlic mustard which we leave to grow and spread as it is a key food plant for the orange-tip caterpillar. As soon as the plant starts to flower, I spend a huge amount of time walking around our garden, keeping my eyes peeled for the fluttering of white and orange. When I’m lucky, the butterfly will land just long enough for me to take a picture. I never tire of photographing butterflies!’
Taking the runner-up spot in the landscape category was Ian Price with his moody photograph capturing a shaft of light over Belle Tout lighthouse after a heavy downpour.
All the winning and commended images, as well as other shortlisted images, have been nominated for the People’s Choice Award. You can vote for your favourite photograph here until 31 January. The photographer who receives the most votes will win a £100 cash prize.