Firstly I would like to thank all the photographers for taking the time to contribute to the inaugural FactorUK BriSCA F1 Awards. Being a graphic designer, as well as a journalist, for much of my working life, I have always taken a keen interest in photography and have worked with many great sports photographers over the years.
Having personally had work published in a number of publications in years gone by, including F1 Racing, Autocourse, Autosport and Racing Post, I know how it feels to see photographic work in print. It is always a thrill, no matter how often it happens.
And therefore it felt only natural, being closely involved with BriSCA F1 for many years, to try and promote the work of the many great photographers we have in what is essentially a minority sport. Alongside our official photographers, I invited a number of unofficial snappers who are more than capable of producing great pictures.
We asked the fans to vote for their favourite photos from the selection provided last week and then the top five photos were put forward to the panel – which is basically me and Stuart Robinson, the Sport Picture Editor of the Daily Express and Daily Star, and a highly respected photographer in his own right.
We have two awards to present – the Photo of the Year and the Photographer Portfolio of the Year, which is in essence, Photographer of the Year in all but name.
And it is with the Photographer Portfolio of the Year that we start.
FactorUK BriSCA F1
Photographer Portfolio of the Year
COLIN CASSERLEY
Congratulations to Colin on his award. The criteria for a winning portfolio is great quality images, context and variety. The panel felt that Colin produced the most varied group of photos, although we also liked the selection made by Paul Cook and Paul Tully.
Stuart and I were both of the opinion that Colin’s photo of the the clay-plastered car at Northampton was actually the most striking photo of the entire entry – it was Stuart’s favourite photo – but this wasn’t reflected in the public’s vote!
And now on to our second award, and perhaps the one most eagerly-awaited by our contributors – Photo of the Year.
PAUL COOK
FactorUK BriSCA F1
Photo of the Year
Congratulations to Paul on his Award. It is a stunning image where the light is the key factor. And what makes it remarkable is that it was taken on an iPhone rather than with a traditional camera. It is important to point out also that all the photos in the final five had their merits, but in the end the panel agreed with the public, who gave this photo more points than any other of the selections.
Just for the record Ant Jenkins received the second-highest points total with his first photo of Stuart Smith Jnr celebrating with his son after winning the British Championship at Belle Vue, and he also had the third-highest points scorer with Phoebe Wainman raising a defiant fist after a multiple pile-up at the Sheffield Shootout round.
I personally thought Paul Cook’s fifth photo, showing the action from Birmingham from a spectator’s viewpoint, was an excellent image and would work in a magazine feature on BriSCA F1 – and I also liked Paul Tully’s photo of Mark Sargent and his son Finn, which captured the human aspect of the sport.
And so there you have it! Our two Awards winners will receive their trophies in due course.
Thank you to all our voters out there who took the time to scan through the images and make their choices. Which leads me to the winner of the prize draw who receives a free copy of Shock and Roar AND The Sound and the Fury.
PRIZE DRAW WINNER
Congratulations to TRACY KING from Banbury – the two books will be heading your way today!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
And so to 2019 – keep in mind that if I see your photos on social media and I like them, you may be invited to send your five selections for next year’s awards.
Don’t forget, if you still want to buy a copy of Shock and Roar before Christmas, you only have a few days before the last post can guarantee the book flops through the letterbox ready for some well-earned Christmas reading! You can order the book elsewhere on this website. Happy Christmas everyone!
NEIL RANDON
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