The winners of the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) Green Gosport photography competition have been announced at a special awards presentation on 30 May. The winning entries will feature in a pop-up exhibition from 3-8 June in the Gosport Gallery and SEARCH building, just off Gosport High Street.
Green Gosport invited budding photographers to capture the green spaces and biodiversity found in and around the Gosport peninsula. The competition was divided into two categories, age 8-17 and age 18+, and received a total of 136 entries. Janet Barton won the 18+ category by capturing a passion flower in her garden, choosing a macro-shot to bring out the flower’s full detail and beauty. Second prize was won by David Barton, who photographed The Hideaway - a rustic shed set against the beautiful backdrop of reeds at Titchfield Haven.
Freddy Cairns age 17, came first in the age 8-17 category with his photograph of Forton Creek in Gosport, which absorbed the gold and red shades of sunlight on a late March afternoon. Prizes were supported by Gosport Info and the Friends of Gosport Museum.
Matt Blewett, Mike York and Amanda Morby, finalists in the 18+ category, will have their photographs displayed in the pop-up exhibition, and a further three photographs selected as highly-commended will also feature, a second by Amanda Morby, together with entries from Daniel Karmy and June Sharpe. Finally, Janet Barton, the overall winner in the 18+ category, had a second photograph selected as commended, which will be on display.
Tara McKinney Marinus, Visual Arts Exhibitions Manager at Gosport Gallery, which is operated by Hampshire Cultural Trust, commented: ‘I am delighted by the diversity and beauty of all 136 entries to the Green Gosport photography competition. From back gardens to nature reserves, the competition has revealed Gosport’s remarkable green spaces and people’s unknown photography talents.’
The pop-up exhibition will run from 3-8 June at the Gosport Gallery and SEARCH building. The IGPOTY exhibition runs until 6 July, admission is free, suggested donation £3.