The Garden Media Guild Photography Awards 2011

The Garden Media Guild Awards celebrate the best in garden writing - including books, newspapers and magazines - photography, broadcasting - TV and radio - and new media - including gardening websites and gardening blogs. They are the garden media 'Oscars'.

 

Photography Awards

 

Photographer of the Year

Winner Marianne Majerus

Judges’ comments The difficult task of judging was a challenging yet immensely enjoyable process. The fact that some excellent photographers didn’t make it on to the shortlist should give an indication of the quality of submissions. If we were looking for one stand-out photograph, the shortlist would possibly read differently. We judged the portfolio submissions on quality, diversity, technical ability and originality.

Marianne’s portfolio stood out above the rest for demonstrating a great use of natural light, consistence in quality and technical diversity.

Finalists

Jurgen Becker

Liz Eddison

Lynn Keddie

Derek St Romaine

 

Features Photographer of the Year

Winner Jurgen Becker for A Dutch Tapestry in Gardens Illustrated.

Judges’ comments The standard in this category was incredibly high, with several entries grabbing the attention of the judges. Many photographers use sunrise and sunset to their advantage (not a new technique, obviously), which makes for many breathtaking shots across the entire category. Gardens Illustrated entered a large body of work, all of which was beautiful, and should be commended for consistently supporting outstanding feature photography.

The winning entry stands head and shoulders above all others, and the decision to award Jurgen with this coveted accolade was totally unanimous. Every single picture was beautiful, but together all the images make for a breathtaking feature, with skilled and consistent interpretation of light. With a broad selection of wide and mid shots, along with superb plant portraits, the picture set had everything. What's more, the pictures make the viewer want to be transported to the garden instantly - they're simply lovely.

Finalists

Clive Nichols for A Clifftop Retreat in Gardens Illustrated.

Rachel Warne for Field of Dreams in Gardens Illustrated.

Allan Pollok-Morris for Key to the Lochin Gardens Illustrated.

Michelle Garrett for Ruby Re-Blooms.

 

Book Photographer of the Year

Winner Mark Diacono for River Cottage Handbook No 9 - Fruit, published by Bloomsbury Publishing.

Judges’ comments It was a tough process to choose an outright winner, but Mark Diacono stood out with the clever use of exposure and, above all, the use of shallow focus in telling the story in question. So your eyes really concentrate on the subjects in frame.

Finalists

Marianne Majerus for Die Geheimen Gärten Luxemburgs, published by Editions Guy Binsfield.

Clive Nicholls for Florescence, published by Merrell Publishers.

Jonathan Buckley for Life in A Cottage Garden (author Carol Klein), published by BBC Books.

Gary Rogers for Mein Traum vom Landgärten, published by Callwey Georg DW Gmbh.