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RAF Photographic Competition 2022

The competition captures the creativity and talent of both amateur and professional photographers.

Submissions included images of RAF personnel working from different environments or RAF equipment, such as aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, uniforms, and accessories.

There is also a unique ‘Peoples’ Choice’ category allowing the public to vote for their favourite image, from nine chosen entries selected by judges.

Another category awarded Defence School of Photography students with the Mallett Student Trophy, for the best portfolios created during their training.

A final category accepted video footage that captures RAF personnel and equipment working in operations and training environments.

An awards ceremony was held at the Bentley Priory Museum, with Air Commodore Adrian Burns, Assistant Chief of Staff Personnel Policy, presenting the awards on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff.

The glory of RAF Photographer of the Year went to Corporal Tim Laurence, from RAF Odiham; following are the other winners of each category.

Do you have what it takes to be a RAF Photographer?

Personnel

Image shows child looking along row of personnel during Remembrance service.
1st Place - "Recruits getting younger these days” by Mr Andrew Wheeler from RAF College Cranwell.
Image shows shadows and cross cast on the ground in front of silhouette of a RAF aviator as they enter into a dark building.
2nd Place - “The X Factor” by Mr Andrew Wheeler from RAF College Cranwell.
Image shows RAF Regiment with helmet and camouflage face paint.
3rd Place - “XV” by Corporal Amy Lupton from RAF Marham.

The Mallett Student Trophy

Image shows picture collage, featuring a RAF veteran holding a flag; a flying aircraft; a dog walking along a country lane; and the Red Arrows performing.
1st Place - Air Specialist 2 Alexandra Naughalty, from RAF Valley.
Image shows picture collage, featuring an aviator rappelling out of a helicopter; a building; a man holding a glass of whisky to the camera; and a close up of an open eye.
2nd Place - Air Specialist 1 Benjamin Drake, from RAF Leeming.
Image shows picture collage, featuring a rugby team; a bundle of wheat; a camera illuminated by neon lights; and an aviator rappelling out of a helicopter.
3rd Place - Air Specialist 1 Hamilton Palmer, from RAF Odiham.

Photographic Section Portfolio

Image shows picture collage.
1st Place - RAF Cranwell.
Image shows picture collage.
2nd Place - RAF Marham.
Image shows picture collage.
3rd Place - RAF Valley.

Peoples' Choice

Winner - “3-2-1-Break” by Corporal Tim Laurence, from RAF Odiham.

Other entries:

“Recruits getting younger these days” by Mr Andrew Wheeler, from RAFC Cranwell.
“90 not out” by Corporal Tim Laurence, from RAF Odiham.
“Blackjack” by Corporal Lee Matthews, from JADTEU at RAF Brize Norton.
“Triumph and Pain” by Air Specialist 1 Iain Curlett, from RAF Benson.
“Striker” by Corporal Lee Matthews, from JADTEU at RAF Brize Norton.
“XV” by Corporal Amy Lupton, from RAF Marham.
“Lightning Pride” by Sergeant Rachel Malthouse, from RAF Marham.
“The Rock Show” by Corporal Will Drummee, from Photo ACSSU at RAF Halton.

RAF Feature

1st Place - Air Specialist 1 Emily Muir, from RAF Valley.
2nd Place - Air Specialist 1 Eoin Kirwan-Taylor, from RAF Coningsby.
3rd Place - Air Specialist 1 Maryanne Williams, from RAF Coningsby.

RAF Sport

Image shows RAF aviators pulling on a rope during tug of war game on the sand.
1st Place - “Tug ‘o’ War” by Air Specialist 1 Ben Mayfield, from RAF Marham.
Image shows RAF aviators in a boxing ring, as the referee holding up the arm of the winner in red.
2nd Place - “Triumph and Pain” by Air Specialist 1 Iain Curlett, from RAF Benson.
Image shows RAF aviators surfing on the sea.
3rd Place - “In the Surf” by Air Specialist 1 Emily Muir, from RAF Valley.

 The Amateur Category

Image shows RAF aviators walking towards a Chinook helicopter with its loading bay open.
1st Place - Mr James Penberthy.
Image shows RAF Typhoon taking off into the sunset.
2nd Place - Mr Ben Murphy.
Image shows RAF Falcons Display team parachuting in a spiral, with red smoke trails.
3rd Place - Mr Martyn Foss.

RAF Photographer of the Year

Image shows picture collage.
1st Place - Corporal Tim Laurence, from RAF Odiham.
Image shows picture collage.
2nd Place - Air Specialist 1 Hamilton Palmer, from RAF Odiham.
Image shows picture collage.
3rd Place - Corporal Lee Matthews, from JADTEU at RAF Brize Norton.

Current RAF Equipment

Image shows RAF Globemaster on the airfield, under a bright blue sky,
1st Place - “After Midnight” by Corporal Will Drummee, from Photo ACSSU at RAF Halton.
Image shows the RAF Hercules in flight through the clouds.
2nd Place - “Omen” by Corporal Lee Matthews, from JADTEU at RAF Brize Norton.
Image shows a RAF Lightning in flight above the clouds.
3rd Place - “My House” by Air Specialist 1 Connor Tierney, from Photo ACCSU at RAF Halton.

Technical/Engineering Photography

Image shows deteriorated medal with light sparks surrounding it.
1st Place - “Gold” by Corporal Beth Roberts, from RAF Valley.
Image shows close up of a mesh netting around a filter.
2nd Place - “Graduated Filter” by Air Specialist 1 James Skerrett, from RAF Waddington.
Image shows RAF Remembrance poppy pin badge.
3rd Place - “The Shape of things past” by Mr Richard Beattie, from RAF Wyton.

RAF Operations & Exercises

Image shows RAF aviator flying in the cockpit while looking towards the RAF Voyager aircraft being refuellled.
1st Place - “The Rock Show” by Corporal Will Drummee, from Photo ACSSU at RAF Halton.
2nd Place - “Sand” by Corporal Lee Matthews, from JADTEU at RAF Brize Norton.
3rd Place - “Holy Diver” by Air Specialist 1 Tom Cann, from Photo ACSSU at RAF Halton.

Video

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!