The winning images from the annual Royal Air Force Photographic Competition will be on view to members of the public at the RAF Museum from 22nd January 2010.
The Royal Air Force is celebrating the superb achievements of its photographers following the judging of the annual RAF Photographic Competition.
Subject categories range from ‘The Operational Experience’, an image that reflects the Royal Air Force conducting vital work on operations or training in support of operations, through to the ‘Equipment’ category which gives photographers the exciting opportunity to display their skill photographing the Service’s world-class equipment.
The 2010 RAF Public Relations Photograph of the year was taken by Senior Aircraftman James Stier. His photograph ‘Over the Desert’ captures Royal Air Force personnel training on Exercise MERLIN VORTEX in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton presented the winners with their awards. He said ‘The competition entries this year are fantastic and showcase not only the talent of our Royal Air Force Photographers but also the tremendous capability of our people and equipment. These dynamic images reflect the breadth of Service life and the critical contribution that our personnel are making to global operations, in particular our support to operations in Afghanistan.’
For 21 years, the Royal Air Force has held a photographic competition in recognition of the skills and high standard of work of their trained photographers and to highlight that the Royal Air Force remains a global force and is on operations around the world. The Royal Air Force’s highest overseas priority is operations in Afghanistan and many personnel and aircraft are deployed in and around the country helping the Coalition to support the Afghan Government. Consequently, a large number of the entries in this year’s competition reflect the broad range of operational and pre-deployment training activities that are undertaken by the Service, such as the Chinook and Merlin helicopters that provide essential mobility, moving personnel and equipment and undertaking medical evacuations crewed by Royal Air Force medical teams.
Warrant Officer Mick Gladwin, said: ”Royal Air Force Photographers have superb technical ability and take great pride in their work. As reflected in the entries this year, they strive to achieve the highest standards in areas as diverse as aerial reconnaissance, portraiture and video as well as completing tasks in support of the police, post crash management, engineering, medical and dental branches in their day-to-day duties.”
In excess of 900 images were entered in the competition which made the selection of winners extremely difficult. Judging this year was conducted by Mr Matt Beard, Professional Sales Manager of Canon UK Ltd, Mr Bob Hayes, Director of Impact Image and Flt Lt Steve Whitehouse, an instructor at the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering, RAF Cranwell. All were unanimous in their appreciation of the very high standard, quality and diversity of work produced by both Service and civilian photographers.
The photographs will be on display in the RAF Museum, electronically beamed onto glass screens located in the ‘RAF Today’ area of the Milestones of Flight Gallery.
Entry to the Royal Air Force Photographer of the Year Exhibition is free of charge to visitors; as is entry to the Museum. The exhibition will be shown daily from 10am to 6pm until April 30th.
RAF Museum Grahame Park Way, London, NW9 5LL
www.rafmuseum.org.uk