UK landscape photographer Greg Whitton has emerged as the winner of the Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2014 contest.
The news was announced at the Outdoor Photographer of the Year awards ceremony on Sunday 15th February at the Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show, London Excel.
Greg Whitton has won the Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2014 competition with an image submitted in the “Light on the Land” category. You can see the image and other details as below.
The Southern Highlands, Iceland by photographer Greg Whitton captured with a Fujifilm X-T1 mirrorless camera and an XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS lens. Exif 10mm | ISO 200, 1/10sec | f/11
Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2014 is Greg Whitton
OPOTY Press Release
UK landscape photographer Greg Whitton wins Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2014 with his image Southern Highlands, Iceland.
Greg wins an exclusive place on the Fjällräven Polar dogsled expedition – an unforgettable life experience where he’ll travel more than 300km over six days across Arctic Scandinavia. His photograph was chosen out of more than 10,000 images that were entered by professional and amateur photographs from around the globe.
The news was announced at the Outdoor Photographer of the Year awards ceremony on Sunday 15th February at the Telegraph Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show, London Excel. The event was streamed live so people all over the world could watch the ceremony. The recording can still be viewed at www.opoty.co.uk/pages/live; the footage of Greg being announced as the Overall Winner can be found 2 hours and 20 minutes into the video.
British mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE presented Greg with his prize. Alan Hinkes is the first Briton to climb the world’s 14 peaks higher than 8,000 metres and is one of the only 12 people alive who have achieved this feat.
When he accepted his award Greg said: ‘It’s amazing, I honestly can’t believe it.’
Greg’s photograph was taken during a six-day wild camping trip in Iceland with four other photographers. He says: ‘I took this picture on the last night of the trip. We hadn’t had a moment of really good light during the whole six days. When we reached the top of this particular peak there was thick cloud blocking the sun. My camera battery was running out and I didn’t have any spare in my pack, so I started to make the descent back to basecamp. After making my way about 50 metres down the mountain the clouds started to part slightly. The light only lasted a few minutes. I’ve got other photographs when the light became really epic, but for me this image, where the light is building, is more successful.’
Greg’s whole story behind the image can be found here: http://www.opoty.co.uk/pages/winners
Outdoor Photography magazine editor Steve Watkins said: ‘Greg’s picture turned out to be the overwhelming favourite among the judges. I love how he captured the amazing light sweeping across the Icelandic peaks: it’s dramatic, has impact and longevity. His photograph is the worthy winner of Outdoor Photographer of the Year 2014.’
Managing Director for Fjällräven UK Ralph White, who one of the judges for this year’s competition, says: ‘Fjällräven is deeply honoured to be involved with the Outdoor Photographer of the Year competition. We were awed at the number of entries and overwhelmed at the quality. I attended the judging to witness first-hand the process of making decisions on category winners. The enthusiasm, dedication and discussions that place over the entries was incredible. Everyone’s submission was treated fairly and with great respect. The Overall Winner, Greg Whitton, now has the joy and unique experience of the Fjällräven Polar 2015 to look forward to. Thank you, Outdoor Photography magazine for making this all happen.’
Having taken part in the 2014 Fjällräven Polar dogsled expedition, Outdoor Photography Editor Steve Watkins says about the trip: ‘It’s a truly epic experience. This isn’t any soft tourist encounter, with dogsled’s in the snow. It’s a proper expedition.’
You can follow the Fjällräven Polar dogsled expedition live from 6-11th April at fjallravenpolar.com
Greg Whitton is an enthusiast photographer based in Solihull, United Kingdom. His passion for photography started after he rediscovered his love of hill-walking. Hardly ever seen without a camera of some description, Greg has travelled to many international destinations, including Iceland, China, Namibia and India. See more of Greg’s work at: http://www.gregwhittonphotography.com
For further information on the competition, please visit opoty.co.uk
