Earlier this year, I was very fortunate to win my first photography award, and it has absolutely nothing to do with wedding or commercial photography. It’s not even a landscape photo!

I have always admired the award winning images celebrated by the wonderful Landscape Photographer of the Year organisation. I first came across them, and perhaps you have too, at London Waterloo train station. The winning images are presented annually across several major train stations throughout the UK, including London Waterloo, London Bridge, Reading, Edinburgh, Manchester and so on. The photos are presented on large placards and its a wonderful public gallery. The chances are that if you frequent any of the major stations in the UK, you may have come across it. This is the schedule at the moment (2021-2022):

• London Bridge 15 Nov – 9 Jan

• Liverpool Street 10 Jan – 23 Jan

• Leeds 24 Jan – 6 Feb

• Edinburgh Waverley 7 Feb – 20 Feb

• Manchester Piccadilly 21 Feb – 6 Mar

• Birmingham New Street 7 Mar – 20 Mar

• Reading 21 Mar – 3 Apr

• Paddington 4 Apr – 17 Apr

• Waterloo 18 Apr – 1 May

So at the moment, they are in Reading. If you are in the area, go check them out. If you live in London, check them out at the forthcoming stations.

On to my image, named Triangle Tree, was submitted to a sub-category called Urban Life. Within this category you find all sorts of images, but are mainly Street Photography styled images. You can check out the winning images within this category here (scroll down to see my image Triangle Tree. For the general winners, just click here.

I thought the standard of photography this year was incredible and huge congrats to all the winners! I am very proud and humbled to be one of the Highly Commended winners within the Urban Life category. It does help that the photo Triangle Tree is my favourite photo that I have taken. I consider it unique and is the main reason I love the image. I came across it in London Victoria. It struck my immediately and all I had to do was to wait until the golden hour came so I get that nice orange side light. I am incredibly fortunate to have come across it. This was during the days where I’d go in to central London and simply wander the streets hoping to find a good photograph. Thankfully, after endless hours and sore feet, I get my justification for it. Having said that, I would have done it anyway because I just loved doing it!

As well as my photo being presented in the major stations in the UK, it is also presented in the beautiful book Landscape Photographer of the Year. Go get a copy for yourself, if you like. I think I prefer seeing the image in a book rather than on a placard. The book will stay with my forever and, although I don’t want to look back too much, this will always be a proud moment for me. Lets hope there is more to come!

Finally, without further a do, here is the image itself:

What do you guys think?

Thanks so much for ready. This was a very “me” post but it was just something I wanted to talk about.

All the best

Colin