The South Downs National Park recently celebrated its 15th anniversary by hosting a photography competition that drew nearly 500 submissions from the public. The contest aimed to capture what people love most about this iconic landscape in southern England. Richard Murray emerged as the grand prize winner in the main landscape category with his haunting photograph titled "Three Giants," featuring a row of London Plane trees shrouded in mist near Midhurst. The image stood out among hundreds of entries for its atmospheric quality and unique perspective on the park's intimate scenes.

A distinguished panel of judges evaluated the submissions, including renowned photographers Rachael Talibart, Finn Hopson, and Carlotta Luke, along with Howard Klein and Jan Knowlson, who serves as the Biodiversity Officer for the National Park. Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the National Park Authority, also participated in the selection process. Finn Hopson praised Murray's work, stating he had never seen anything like it in his years of judging and appreciated how it revealed a different side of the park. Rachael Talibart commended the careful composition, while Vanessa Rowlands noted the image's timely relevance to climate change discussions, highlighting how water retention in landscapes is becoming increasingly important.

Richard Murray, a photographer from Waterlooville, received a £250 prize for his winning entry. He explained that while the South Downs are famous for their sweeping chalk hills and dramatic cliffs, he is most drawn to the smaller, hidden scenes that create those larger vistas. The photograph captures ancient London Plane trees he passes daily on his commute. Mist is a rare phenomenon at this particular location, and Murray waited patiently for ideal conditions. After days of heavy rain, a clear morning was forecast, and the scene finally materialized with mist wrapping the trees as sunlight struggled to break through. The magical conditions lasted only about thirty minutes before disappearing.

In the wildlife category, Thomas Moore from Slindon claimed the top prize with his stunning close-up of an orange-tip butterfly, earning him £150. The judges were unanimous in their praise for the technical excellence of the photograph. Vanessa Rowlands loved the vibrant colors, while Rachael Talibart marveled at the incredible detail visible in the butterfly's eye, antennae, and wings. The image perfectly captured the delicate beauty of one of the park's native species and demonstrated exceptional macro photography skills.

Thomas Moore shared that photography serves as his escape from work, allowing him to focus entirely on the natural world. He spends countless hours in the South Downs with his macro lens, documenting the region's diverse invertebrates. Interestingly, this award-winning shot was taken in his own backyard, where he cultivates garlic mustard, a key food source for orange-tip caterpillars. Each spring, he patiently walks his garden, watching for flashes of white and orange. When fortune smiles upon him and a butterfly lands long enough, he captures the moment. He never grows tired of photographing these beautiful insects.

The competition also recognized several other outstanding works. Ian Price from Eastbourne secured the runner-up position in the main category with "Beam Me Up," a dramatic image of light breaking over Belle Tout lighthouse after a storm. John Lauper from Pevensey Bay earned runner-up in wildlife with his charming portrait of a juvenile stonechat in Cuckmere Valley. Ian Wood took third place in wildlife for "Summer Loving," featuring mating six-spot burnet moths. Four additional photographs received high commendation. All winning and shortlisted images are now eligible for the People's Choice award, with online voting open from January 14 through January 31. The public can cast their votes at the official South Downs National Park website, and the winner will receive a £100 prize.