The government of United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence issued the following news release:
The Royal Air Force has celebrated a year of photography at its annual photographic competition culminating with an awards ceremony held at the Ministry of Defence in London.
The aim of the competition - the first combining the RAF Photographers' Photographic Competition and the RAF PR Photographic Competition - is to encourage high professional standards within the Services photographic specialisation and to enhance the positive profile of the RAF.
The competition was judged at the RAF Museum Cosford in September. The three judges were Mr Geoff Sellars FBIPP, Officer Commanding Defence School of Photography, Mr Ian Frimston, Chief Photographer Shuttleworth Collection, and Mr Andrew Wise, Editor of RAF News.
The RAF has more than 200 professional photographers, employed in all areas of the Service including station PR activity, technical, intelligence, reconnaissance, combat camera teams, videographers and airborne trials work.
The competition is open to uniformed, MOD civilian and contractor photographers, professional and amateur, who work for the RAF. 2006 is the first year combining two separate competitions of previous years and for the first time Amateur and Cadet sections have been added.
Event organiser, Squadron Leader Phil Owen, gave particular thanks to the members of the photographic industry for their support and their sponsorship of the competition:
'The 13 categories in the competition and the more than 1,000 images entered reflect the diverse range of photographic tasks completed in support of today's Royal Air Force, whilst also giving the opportunity for photographers to demonstrate their artistic flair. The new amateur and ATC/CCF categories proved very popular.
'I was proud to see that this year we noted a significant increase in the number of entries received from our photographic sections.
'These days it has become increasingly important to use photographic imagery to highlight the vital work of the RAF in maintaining peace and stability in a volatile world.'
Andrew Wise added:
'The competition attracted the highest number of entries, and more than 1,000 photographs were judged. We were unanimous in our appreciation of the very high standard, quality and diversity of the work produced by RAF service and civilian photographers. In a departure from the norm, we nominated a number of 'Highly Commended' awards to entries that were exceptional.'
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy, was also full of praise for the award winners:
'I was extremely impressed with the wide range and quality of the photographs submitted this year. All the winners are highly deserving.
'Imagery is a key and powerful tool of communication in today's RAF. Whether it be a reconnaissance photograph in an operational theatre, recording a technical fault on a front line aircraft, engaging with society or promoting the activities of a station, unit or squadron - images are critical elements in what we do.
'Imagery serves operations, supports our ethos, spirit and heritage and projects the activities of the service at home and overseas.'
The image of the year was won by SAC Joanne Lockley from the photographic section, RAF Odiham, where the RAF's Chinook force is based. She has now left the RAF after what she describes as 'five wonderful years'.
'I waited a good two hours for the shot in the Jordanian desert in the Spring of this year,' she said. 'But once I caught the 27 Sqn Chinook landing during Exercise Saffron Sands I knew I had a winning image. It was used by Boeing in the US - who manufacture the Chinooks - in their publicity material, and even went in my local newspaper in the Midlands.'
The list of winners and their categories are:
Photographic Section Portfolio (25 entries): 1st - RAF Valley, 2nd - Combat Camera Team, HQ Strike Command (STC).
Best Technical (30): 1st and 2nd - Senior Aircraftsman (SAC) Thon RAF Odiham. 3rd - Sgt Mick Scraggs RIGC RAF Aldergrove.
Best Single Photograph Depicting RAF Experience (151): 1st - Mr Ian Forshaw RAF Shawbury. 2nd - SAC Stevenson RAF Coningsby. 3rd - SAC Love RAF St Mawgan.
RAF Equipment (81): 1st - Cpl Nick Howe, Media Ops HQ British Forces Cyprus. 2nd - Sgt Gary Morgan RAF Coningsby. 3rd - SAC Keates RAF Marham.
Best Sports Photograph (60): 1st - SAC Shelley RAF Lossiemouth. 2nd - SAC White DCAE Cosford. 3rd - SAC Kryssy Lees Cyprus SSU RAF Akrotiri.
Highly Commended in this category were Cpl Scott Robertson, Combat Camera Team HQ STC and SAC Chapman RAF Kinloss.
Best Portrait (62): 1st - SAC Royal RAF Marham. 2nd - SAC Ryan Onody RAF Northolt. 3rd - Sgt Mick Scraggs RIGC RAF Aldergrove.
Best Digital Manipulation (40): 1st - SAC Dave Frost RAF Cottesmore. 2nd - SAC Stevenson RAF Coningsby. 3rd - SAC Parnham RAF Honington.
Highly Commended in this category were Cpl Heidi Cox RAF Cottesmore and SAC Hetherington RAF Waddington.
Individual Portfolio of the Year (38): 1st - Cpl Heidi Cox RAF Cottesmore. 2nd - Sgt Graham Spark MOD PR. 3rd - SAC Love RAF St Mawgan.
Student Portfolio (25): Winner - L/Cpl Bardsley HQ Hereford.
Highly Commended in this category was Sgt Bevan 12 Inf Bde HQ Bulford Camp.
Open (artistic expression) (51): 1st - SAC Marston DCAE Cosford. 2nd - SAC Lewis RAF Coningsby. 3rd - SAC Plant RAF St Mawgan.
Highly Commended in this category was Sgt Andy Malthouse RAF Marham.
Amateur Military Category (12): 1st - Sgt Rutter RAF Odiham. 2nd - Sgt Lee Barton RAF Odiham. 3rd - Flt Lt Jones.
Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force (5): 1st and 2nd - Sqn Ldr Trevana. 3rd - Cpl Sharpin 1237 (North Hykeham) ATC Stoke on Trent.
Public Relations Image of the Year - winner - SAC Lockley RAF Odiham.
