IGOPTY is an annual competition to find the great images of plants and gardens from photographers around the world. If you have any interest in this area of photography then this web site and the associated exhibition is an absolute must for you. The images are universally beautiful and engaging; you ask yourself if it is this easy, it is photography in a garden, why can’t I do it. I guess it is about a great understanding of the use of your camera, huge amounts of patience, the desire to be there at the best moment and attention to detail. We can help with the camera bit with our courses on understanding your camera and with help on improving your composition and the use of software to make the most of your images we can help too. However the getting up before dawn to be in the right place at the right time that is up to you. To see the full gallery of winning and placed images go here to the IGOPTY site
Volker Michael – Finalist First Rays Jistrum, Friesland, The Netherlands
Rosanna Castrini – Commended The Ring Piedmont, Italy
Jianjun Huang – Commended Charming Dongjiang Guangdong Province, China
Lili Gao – Finalist Waiting Dandong City, Liaoning Province, China
Stefano Coltelli – Commended Plitvice Falls The Plitvice Lakes National Park, Plitvicka Jezera, Croatia
The winner is
This late autumn photo – from Snowdonia National Park in North Wales – has been crowned the overall winner of the 10th annual International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.
Taken by Lee Acaster, and entitled Left, this stark image won the Trees, Woods and Forests category – and then beat thousands of other entries to win the top spot.
Garden designer Chris Beardshaw – one of the competition judges – says the photo “perfectly encapsulates both the extremes of fortune and personality of these giants”.
While Clare Foggett – who edits The English Garden Magazine – says the image “draws the viewer in, to reveal the still surface of the lake behind. It demands closer inspection”.
If you wish you can see these and many more on the BBC website that has a major feature on the competition and winners
The exhibition is toured and here are dates
| Venue |
Exhibition |
Photographs |
| November 1st 2016 – Feb 28th 2017 |
The Beth Chatto Gardens, Colchester, ENGLAND |
9 |
Outdoor selection from Competition 9 |
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| January 14th – March 5th |
National Trust Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens, ENGLAND |
9 |
Indoor exhibition, competition 9 |
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| January 21st – March 1st 2017 |
Willis Museum Gallery, Basingstoke, ENGLAND |
9 |
Indoor exhibition, competition 9 |
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| Feb 4th – March 12th 2017 |
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, London, ENGLAND |
10 |
IGPOTY Annual launch ceremony – winners of Competition 10 [indoor exhibition] announced to the public. |
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| March 24th – June 18th 2017 |
de Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS |
10 |
Outdoor selection from Competition 10 |
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| April 1st – June 4th 2017 |
RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Rettendon, ENGLAND |
10 |
Outdoor selection from Competition 10 |
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| April 1st – November 15th 2017 |
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, Merano, South Tyrol, ITALY |
10 |
Outdoor exhibition, competition 10 |
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| April 1st – November 15th 2017 |
Gibraltar Botanic Gardens (The Alameda), GIBRALTAR |
10 |
Outdoor exhibition, competition 10 |
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| August 28th – October 29th 2017 |
National Trust Sheringham Park, Norfolk, ENGLAND |
10 |
Outdoor exhibition, competition 10 |
Oxford School of Photography 