The winners of this year's British Army photographic competition received their prizes yesterday at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall and we were there to see the pictures and the prize-giving.
Before handing out the winners' prizes, General Sir Mike Jackson took some time to answer questions from the photographic press.
Each year the three British armed forces run photographic competitions for both their professional or career photographers and 'amateur' personnel. The competition was judged by David Bailey, who needs little introduction, while, Chief of the General Staff – the head of the British Army, basically – gave out the prizes. We've reproduced a selection of the winning images further down this page.
Yes, you can be a soldier and a professional photographer within the army, though competition for the 45 or so places for photographers in the Royal Logistic Corps is keenly sought after. Besides performing photographic support duties for intelligence and other military activities, including special forces, the army's professional photographers carry out a valuable role in promoting the army through public relations exercises and to supplement the civilian media, especially in situations where 'embedded' journalists aren't able to be present during active military engagements.
‘Back to School’
By Corporal Daniel Wells, Professional Runner-up
The Army Experience and Runner-up
Professional Photographer of the Year
Photography is also a popular hobby among the army's 'amateur' rank and file and some take it seriously enough to lug large and heavy SLR cameras, lenses and other equipment with them around the world.
Categories in this year's army competition included army equipment, a special digital imaging category, plus sport and recreation photography, as well as images of soldiers – being soldiers. The competition is generously sponsored by familiar names like Calumet, Nikon, Fujifilm, Olympus, The Sunday Telegraph and Epson.
‘Recce Patrol’
By Staff Sergeant Paul Brownbridge. Winner Best Overall Image, Winner
Professional Photographer of the Year, Professional Winner The Army Experience
The Best Overall Image category was won by Staff Sergeant Paul Brownbridge, with his portrait, titled "Recce Patrol," of two soldiers on patrol in the Middle East. Brownbridge was recently stationed at NATO headquarters as Chief Photographer. Having completed his initial service with the Parachute Regiment a few years ago, Brownbridge embarked on a short career working in studio photography as a civilian. He learned a lot during this period, but realised that he would be better off back in the army as a professional photographer.
He hasn't looked back since and his images frequently win awards, including three in this year's competition. Brownbridge uses a pair of Nikon D2X bodies, a couple of SB800 flash units – usually used off-camera, plus Nikon 12-24, 28-70 and 70-200VR zoom lenses, all packed away in a LowePro bag. He also specialises as a video cameraman.
‘Sweat’
By Warrant Officer Dave Scammell, Winner
Amateur Photographer of the Year
Of the amateur category winners, one particular soldier, Staff Sergeant Gary Ranu, earned a short break from duties in Iraq to be flown to London to receive his award. Ranu is another Nikon devotee, equipped with a Nikon D2H, 135mm f/2 and 24-120 lenses.
We had an opportunity to have a chat with General Sir Mike Jackson about the competition and photography in general. He says he is unworried by the prevalence of advanced communications and imaging technology that could be seen as a threat to security in the army: "So what?," he said, "The technology has improved in leaps and bounds and is one of the facts of life. It's easy and it's there, compared to say, during the Falklands campaign, it was very difficult to get images but now it's a piece of cake."
‘Gazelles at Dawn’
By Warrant Officer Giles Penfound, Professional Winner Army Equipment
General Jackson admits that he is bettered by his wife when it comes to using a camera and he doubts that he will take an interest in the hobby when he retires, but emphasised that he was extremely impressed with the entries to this year's competition.
‘Work in Progress’
By Corporal Daniel Wells, Professional Runner-up Digital Award
