Announced: victors of the 2025 Traveller (UK) Photography Contest unveiled
Every year, our website Traveller hosts a prestigious photography competition to showcase the best travel photography from the UK and Ireland. This year marks the competition's 12th anniversary, and it was once again open to both amateur and professional photographers. Entrants submitted their travel images, taken during the past year, in one of six categories: Landscape, People, Wildlife, Food, City life, and Portfolio.
According to Pat Riddell, editor of our website Traveller (UK), the competition continues to grow in popularity and quality. He said, "Our competition goes from strength to strength, with this year's easily one of the strongest yet. World-class photography remains at the heart of our brand, and the winners happily sit in that category."
The diverse entries covered a range of striking images, from the dramatic landscapes of Iceland and Italy to incredible wildlife shots in Spain and Canada. The 18 finalists, chosen from thousands of entries, had truly lifted the level of travel photography with their ingenuity and skill.
Justin Cliffe was announced as the grand prize winner for his entry in the 'People' category. His portrait of a woman and her great granddaughter in Lào Cai province, Vietnam, was a firm favorite with the judges. They praised the image for its intimacy, beauty, and humanity.
People Category
The 'People' category highlighted the importance of capturing more than just a face; it is essential to earn the trust and show the character of the people encountered during a trip.
The winner, Justin Cliffe, presented an evocative image that captured an intimate moment between generations, drawing praise for its beautiful colors, light, and textures.
The runner-up, Jo Kearney, captured a unique moment from the Chilam Joshi Festival in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, where the Kalash people searched for potential marital partners.
Bianca Goldman also stood out as a runner-up with her portrait of a member of the Suli Muli tribe in Papua New Guinea's Highlands. Her photograph not only captured the striking appearance of the tribe but also the connection between the photographer and the subject matter.
Food Category
The 'Food' category showcased the culinary journey from field to fork, revealing the hardworking farmers and street chefs who bring delicious dishes to life.
Prabir Kumar Mitra's winning image featured a simple but tasty meal at a family-run restaurant in Lhasa, Tibet, where the ingredients and flavors were all locally produced.
The judges appreciated the warm, inviting feel of the photograph, suggesting that the viewer had been granted a private glimpse into this intimate moment.
Landscape Category
The 'Landscape' category required a unique eye for composing intriguing contrasts and capturing details that others might miss.
Pawel Zygmunt's winning image was a striking aerial view of a geothermal area in Iceland, captured by a drone. The pool's intense blue center and vibrant rings were reminiscent of a mythical dragon's eye.
The runner-ups, Edward Hasler and Christopher West, showcased breathtaking glaciers in Greenland and a moonlit mountain in Japan, respectively.
Portfolio Category
The 'Portfolio' category celebrated photographers who could compose a cohesive collection of images that told a compelling story with depth and multiple layers.
Joshua Mallett's winning portfolio took the viewer on a visual journey through diverse landscapes, wildlife, and everyday moments. Together, the images formed a narrative of places defined by their natural beauty and rich history.
The runners-up in this category were Dylan McBurney, whose images conveyed his experience in Changsha and Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China, and Lauren Winslow-Llewellyn, who captured the unique charm of a turquoise glacial lake and a yurt camp in the distant countryside.
Judges Panel:
The photography competition was judged by a panel of experts: Becky Redman, Ben Rowe, Aisha Nazar, Lauren Atkinson-Smith, David Barreda, Hayley Benoit, Renato Granieri, Celeste Noche, Andrew Reiner, and Daniella Zalcman.
Sources:
- National Geographic Traveller (UK) | Instagram
- National Geographic Traveller (UK) wins in the Drum Content Awards
- Mt.Bakery
- The 'People' category emphasized the importance of capturing more than just a face, requiring photographers to earn the trust and show the character of the people they encounter during their travels.
- Justin Cliffe's portrait of a woman and her great granddaughter in Lào Cai province, Vietnam, was a firm favorite in the People category, praised for its intimacy, beauty, and humanity.
- Jo Kearney's image from the Chilam Joshi Festival in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, showcased a unique moment from the festival where the Kalash people searched for potential marital partners.
- Bianca Goldman's portrait of a member of the Suli Muli tribe in Papua New Guinea's Highlands also received recognition, capturing the striking appearance of the tribe and the connection between the photographer and the subject matter.
- The 'Food' category put a spotlight on the culinary journey from field to fork, featuring the hardworking farmers and street chefs who bring delicious dishes to life.
- Prabir Kumar Mitra's winning image in the Food category showcased a simple but tasty meal at a family-run restaurant in Lhasa, Tibet, where the ingredients and flavors were all locally produced.
- The 'Landscape' category celebrated photographers with a unique eye for composing intriguing contrasts and capturing details that others might miss, such as Pawel Zygmunt's striking aerial view of a geothermal area in Iceland.
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