Stunning images from International Garden Photographer of the Year contest at Cambridge Univesity Botanic Garden
Ten Year Anniversary Exhibition runs until December 21.
There are few things that warm the inner reaches of the soul quite like a beautiful garden in full bloom, and the International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition pays tribute to those who have succeeded in capturing this beauty on camera.
From now until December 21, this collection of winning images from the International Garden Photographer of the Year Ten Year Anniversary Exhibition is on display at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
The popular exhibition, now in its eleventh year, features the very best of garden, plant, flower and botanical photography. Open to all ages – with a Young Garden Photographer of the Year award for under-17s – the display showcases work from both amateurs and professionals, and tours the UK and abroad. There are eight main categories on display, including The Beauty of Plants, Wildflower Landscapes, Beautiful Gardens and Breathing Spaces – along with winners from the Macro Art Photo Project.
Visitors can expect to see thought-provoking pictures which seek to bring people closer to plants and gardens and increase public understanding of the natural world.
Beverley Glover, director of Cambridge University Botanic Garden, said: “We are delighted to be sharing a selection of winning images from the 10-year anniversary exhibition with our visitors.
“As a scientist I look at plants in lots of different ways – often through a microscope lens rather than a camera lens – and am constantly inspired by them.
“We hope this exhibition will also encourage our visitors to take a closer look at their environment, and especially the beautiful surroundings of the Botanic Garden and be inspired and intrigued by the plants we grow here. We grow such a diverse range of plants from right across the globe, so there’s plenty of great material for budding photographers – and scientists!”
Curtis McGlinchey, manager of the competition, told the Cambridge Independent: “It’s an international exhibition and competition and we have around 20,000 entries every year. There are about 40 images on display and they’re from all over the world.”
He added: “We have one category called Beautiful Gardens, which is specifically for the traditional garden shot, and then other categories explore plants, horticulture and green spaces in quite a broad sense.”
Curtis’ favourite photograph in the exhibition was the one taken by overall winner, Lee Acaster, whom he describes as “a very keen amateur.”
“It’s not the kind of overall winner that we usually choose,” said Curtis. “It’s quite challenging and I think you have to really spend some time analysing it – perhaps a little bit longer than you would a traditional, brightly-lit landscape.”
He concluded: “We’re really proud to be working with Cambridge Botanic Garden again. I think we’ve got a lot in common, even though they specialise in research and we specialise in art and culture. I think there are a lot of different ways we can reach the public with similar messages. We’re really happy to be back here.”
The competition runs from February to October each year and has a first-place prize of £7,500. For more, visit botanic.cam.ac.uk or igpoty.com.