June Sharpe, Kent, UK. Birdscape. Canon EOS R6, Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, 1.6sec at f/22, ISO 320. Tripod, filters.
Speaking about the image which also won the Abstract views category, Sharpe said the layered branches of this conifer reminded her of the dancing cranes often featured in Japanese woodcuts, and described winning the annual competition as an enormous privilege.
"In post-processing, I added a fill layer and used exclusion blending mode to alter the colours and enhance the feeling of movement and sense of the ‘birds’ dancing in a fantasy woodland."
Tyrone McGlinchey, head judge, said the image 'fired the imagination'.
"The soft, new growth transforming between plant and feathers – it is both enticing and enchanting. We are pulled into and beyond the symbolic dancing cranes, and embraced by their ‘wings’, to a place of hope and peace. It is rare that one can connect with nature and feel such compassion.”
Supported by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, which also exhibits the winning images, International Garden Photographer of the Year is open to amateurs and professionals alike, from any country in the world.
You can see all the category winners and runners-up below, and all the category winners and finalists at the IGPOTY website.
Wildlife in the Garden category winner, Fernando Avanka, Tasty. Nikon D7200, Nikon 500mm f/4 lens, 1/1250sec at f/5.6, ISO 500.Wildlife in the garden category, runner-up, Minghui Yuan, In the Mood for Love. Nikon Z7 Mark II, Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S macro lens, 1/80sec at f/11, ISO 1250.Abstract views. Ian Gilmour, 2nd Place, Torn Curtain. Pentax K-3, Venus Laowa 60mm f/2.8 2x ultra macro lens, 1/8sec at f/4, ISO 200. Tripod, remote release.Beautiful Gardens category winner, Annie Green-Armytage, Autumn Sunset. Canon EOS R6, Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, 1.6sec at f/22, ISO 320. Tripod, filters.Beautiful gardens category runner-up, Claire Takacs, 2nd Place. Lauren Springer’s Home Garden. Canon EOS 5DS R, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L II USM lens, 1/60sec at f/8, ISO 100. Tripod, ladder, reflector.Breathing spaces category winner, Andrea Graham, The Lone Tree. Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 14-35mm f/4 L IS USM lens, 1/10sec at f/8, ISO 100. Tripod.Breathing spaces category, runner-up, Mara Leiter, Springtime Blossoms. Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM lens, 1/100sec at f/5.6, ISO 500.Plants and Planet category, Winner, Leena Roy, Mangrove Tree (From Underwater). Nikon D500, Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 DX Fisheye lens, 1/60sec at f/13, ISO 800. Nauticam underwater camera housing.Plants and Planet category, runner-up, Gigi Williams, Skeletons. Nikon D7200, Tamron 18-400mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD lens, 1/400sec at f/13, ISO 200.The Beauty of Plants category winner, Angi Wallace, Ethereal Nigella. Sony α7 Mark III, Sigma 180mm f/2.8 EX APO DG Macro OS HSM lens, 1/200sec at f/5.6, ISO 50. Tripod, WeMacro automated focus stacking rail.The beauty of plants, runner-up, Molly Hollman, Cosmos ‘Apricotta’. Sony α7 Mark III, Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens, 1/800sec at f/4, ISO 400. Tripod.The World of Fungi’ category winner, Barry Webb, Icy Craterium. OM System OM-1, Olympus M.Zuiko 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens, 1/25sec at f/3.5, ISO 200. Gitzo Explorer tripod, 3 Kenko extension tubes, Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro snap-on lens, cable release.World of Fungi category, runner-up, Tony North, Honey Fungi. Nikon D7100, Nikon 105mm f/2.8 macro lens, 1/80sec at f/4, ISO 250. Tripod, LED panel.Trees, Woods, & Forests category, winner, Drew Buckley, Fire & Ice. Canon EOS R5, Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM lens, 1/10sec at f/14, ISO 100. Tripod, circular polarising filter, graduated neutral density filter.Trees, woods and forests category, runner-up, Stephen Davis, Ghost Oak. Canon EOS Mark IV, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM lens, 1/4sec at f/16, ISO 100. Tripod.Wildflower Landscapes category, winner, Albert Ceolan, Flower Meadows of the Plateau. Nikon D6, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 G ED lens, 1/400sec at f/16, ISO 400. Tripod.Wildflower landscapes category runner-up, Julian Elliott, Tuscan Poppies. Canon EOS R5, Canon TS-E 50mm f/2.8 L Tilt-Shift Macro lens + Canon Extender EF 1.4x III, 1/25sec to 1/15sec at f/16, ISO 100. Benro Mach 3 tripod, Benro geared head.
