Photography competition 2018

This year, for the first time, we welcomed photography entries on the theme of ‘This is caring.’

Report from our judge

This was possibly the hardest photography competition I’ve had to judge, in respect that this was not about all the qualities we look for in a professional portrait image, it was all about the content – a penetrating statement of the reality many carers face and such a pleasure to look through.

Photography, as with all art is subjective, so my choice of winners is defined very much by the emotional value the images had on me and what I read into them. That in no way lessens the impact of any of the other entries, and the entire collection contained humour, sadness, devotion and love. It was such a pleasure to view all these wonderful photographs.

A clever narrative within a photograph or portrait, is one that invites the viewer in, to read their own story – the winning image definitely held this open invitation.

“It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera… they are made with the eye, heart and head.” – Henri Cartier-Bresson

Photography competition judge, Bella West

Below are our winning and commended images which capture the hidden joys, challenges and day-to-day reality of looking after someone.