The winners of the inaugural British Life Photography Awards (BLPA) have been announced.
Gallery: Rural Life finalists
Established in 2014 the British Life Photography Awards recognise the talents of both amateur and professional photographers.
Whether thought provoking, illuminating, poignant or humorous, the BLPA aim to showcase the best of contemporary and imaginative images that capture the essence and spirit of British life.
David Yeo, took first prize for his image entitled Vroom with a View, taken in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire and Ella Turville, aged seventeen won the young photographer award with her image Lord of the Flies, taken Brighton, East Sussex.
Judge Caroline Metcalfe commented: “There is a wealth of photographic material sitting right here at home, and the various categories in the British Life Photography Awards are testament to that. The photographs are broad and diverse, and reveal layers of life that speak louder than any words about our country. I loved this winning image of the caravan by David Yeo under the quintessentially British chestnut tree. It somehow spoke to me of ‘This land we call home’. I liked the simplicity of it and the lighting of the woman inside. To me that gave the shot more interest, depth and idea of simple pleasures.”
There were an additional ten separate categories for photographers to compete in including street life, rural life, portraiture and a special award for the best documentary feature.
Country Life’s Picture Editor Vicky Wilkes oversaw the Rural Life category. It aimed to explore all aspects of life within the villages and small communities outside our towns and cities. Jim Donahue won this category with his magnificent image Early Morning Rowers, taken in Henley, Buckinghamshire.
The exhibition of around 100 images, including all winning and commended entries is on show at the Mall Galleries in London from Monday 2nd March until Saturday 7th March. Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar, Yorkshire will host the show from September through to November 2015.
For further information about the please visit www.blpawards.com
