Judging for the 2022 Royal Air Force Photographic Competition sponsored by Wex Photo/Video recently took place with the winners chosen.
With over a thousand images and 35 videos submitted, the 11 judges found themselves spending 7 days trying to narrow down their final choices, before selecting a 1st, 2nd, 3rd and highly commended across the competition’s various categories.
From those selected, the best 9 images were then chosen to go head-to-head in the now annual Peoples’ Choice category where the general public can vote over the next 2 weeks via the Royal Air Force’s official Facebook page for their favourite image. With the result announced at the RAF Photographic Competition Awards in RAF Bentley Prior on November 24th.
Amongst the winners Cpl Tim Laurence of RAF Odiham walked away as RAF Photographer of the Year with his portfolio of six images. The 2022 Photographic Section portfolio going to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
Competition Judges had the following to say.
The Times Picture Editor Ben Jones said “I would like to say a big thanks for giving me the opportunity to Judge this year’s competition and offer my congratulations to the winners and highly commended. Well done all. You deserve to be very proud, there were a lot of superb images in this contest.
The technical quality of images submitted were of a high standard and the huge variety of subject matter served to intensify the competition. The ability to spot and execute an image under huge pressure is rare talent. I have nothing but respect for their skill as photographers and bravery as people to get in the right place at the right time.”
Assistant Editor, Modern Military Josef Campion said “Firstly I would like to thank RAF Photographers for the honour to be a judge in this year’s competition. Secondly congratulations not just to the winners but to every entrant. The imagery was of excellent standard and the level of thought and dedication to every image was easily noticeable. I cannot express enough how difficult it was to decrease the 154 images down to 6.”
RAF Photographic Competition Results 2022.
Category A – Personnel.
1st Place. “Recruits getting younger these days” Mr Andrew Wheeler, RAFC Cranwell
2nd Place. “The X Factor” Mr Andrew Wheeler, RAFC Cranwell
3rd Place. “XV” Cpl Amy Lupton, RAF Marham
Highly Commended. “Counting Sheep” AS1 Jason Russell, RAF Odiham
Highly Commended. “The Low Fly” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
Category B – The Mallett Student Trophy.
1st Place. AS2 Alexandra Naughalty, RAF Valley
2nd Place. AS1 Benjamin Drake, RAF Leeming
3rd Place. AS1 Hamilton Palmer, RAF Odiham
Highly Commended. AS1 Jaden Hewitt, JHC FS Aldergrove
Highly Commended. AS2 Harris Williams, RAF Honington
Category C – Photographic Section Portfolio.
1st Place. RAFC Cranwell
2nd Place. RAF Marham
3rd Place. RAF Valley
Highly Commended. JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
Highly Commended. RAF Coningsby
Category D – Peoples’ Choice.
The following 9 images have been selected for online public voting via the RAF Facebook page. Winner will be announced 21 Nov 22.
- “Recruits getting younger these days” Mr Andrew Wheeler, RAFC Cranwell
- “90 not out” Cpl Tim Laurence, RAF Odiham
- “Blackjack” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
- “Triumph and Pain” AS1 Iain Curlett, RAF Benson
- “Striker” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
- “XV” Cpl Amy Lupton, RAF Marham
- “Lightning Pride” Sgt Rachel Malthouse, RAF Marham
- “The Rock Show” Cpl Will Drummee, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
- “3-2-1-Break” Cpl Tim Laurence, RAF Odiham
Category E – RAF Feature.
1st Place. AS1 Emily Muir, RAF Valley
2nd Place. AS1 Eoin Kirwan-Taylor, RAF Coningsby
3rd Place. AS1 Maryanne Williams, RAF Coningsby
Highly Commended. AS1 Abby Drewett, RAFAT, RAF Waddington
Highly Commended. AS1 Tom Cann, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Category F – RAF Sports.
1st Place. “Tug ‘o’ War” AS1 Ben Mayfield, RAF Marham
2nd Place. “Triumph and Pain” AS1 Iain Curlett, RAF Benson
3rd Place. “In the Surf” AS1 Emily Muir, RAF Valley
Highly Commended. “Clearing the Mind” AS1 Jake Hobbs, RAF Cosford
Highly Commended. “Play in the Mud” Mr Richard Beattie, RAF Wyton
Category G – The Amateur Category.
1st Place. Mr James Penberthy
2nd Place. Mr Ben Murphy
3rd Place. Mr Martyn Foss
Highly Commended. Flt Lt Andy Donovan
Highly Commended. Mr Jared Barnes
Category H – RAF Photographer of the Year.
1st Place. Cpl Tim Laurence, RAF Odiham
2nd Place. AS1 Hamilton Palmer, RAF Odiham
3rd Place. Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
Highly Commended. AS1 Samantha Holden, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Highly Commended. AS1 Tom Cann, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Category I – Current RAF Equipment.
1st Place. “After Midnight” Cpl Will Drummee, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
2nd Place. “Omen” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
3rd Place. “My House” AS1 Connor Tierney, Photo ACCSU, RAF Halton
Highly Commended. “Low Level” Sgt Andy Holmes, RAF Benson
Highly Commended. “Punch it Chewie” AS1 Tom Barnard, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Highly Commended. “No Ordinary Job” Cpl Babbs Robinson, RAF Akrotiri
Category J – Technical/Engineering Photography.
1st Place. “Gold” Cpl Beth Roberts, RAF Valley
2nd Place. “Graduated Filter” AS1 James Skerrett, RAF Waddington
3rd Place. “The Shape of things past” Mr Richard Beattie, RAF Wyton
Highly Commended. “Chamber is Clear” AS2 Leo Moharram, RAF Coningsby
Highly Commended. “Flux Leakage” AS1 Shauna Martin, RAF Waddington
Category K – RAF Operations & Exercises.
1st Place. “The Rock Show” Cpl Will Drummee, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
2nd Place. “Sand” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
3rd Place. “Holy Diver” AS1 Tom Cann, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Highly Commended. “The Perfect View” AS1 Abby Drewett, RAFAT, RAF Waddington
Highly Commended. “Green On” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
Category L – Video.
1st Place. “Eagle Lightning” AS1 Samantha Holden, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
2nd Place. “Red Flag Alaska” AS1 Tom Cann, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
3rd Place. “Slovak Falc” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton
Highly Commended “Video Games” Cpl Will Drummee & AS1 Samantha Holden, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Highly Commended. “Vigilance” AS1 Tom Barnard, Photo ACSSU, RAF Halton
Top image: RAF Photographic Competition 2022 Image of a 47 Squadron C-130J Hercules pilot flying through the low-flying system. Category A – Personnel. “The Low Fly” Cpl Lee Matthews, JADTEU, RAF Brize Norton.
