IGPOTY is excited to announce that the Overall Winner of Competition 18 has been decided, many congratulations to Max Rush from London, England!

The other main category results have also been announced, as well as other categories such as the stand-alone 'Portfolios' competition.

IGPOTY is also delighted to announce the addition of a new Headline Sponsor for 2025: Penningtons Manches Cooper – thank you very much for your support!

Photographers, both amateur, semi-pro, and professional, from all across the world, entered the main IGPOTY competition last year, which closed for entries on October 31st, 2024, and included the following exciting pay-to-enter main categories:

• 7IM Abstract Views (Sponsor: 7IM)

• Beautiful Gardens

• Breathing Spaces

• PMC Plants & Planet (Sponsor: Penningtons Manches Cooper)

• The Beauty of Plants (Sponsor: Floramedia UK)

• The World of Fungi

• Trees, Woods & Forests

• Wildflower Landscapes

• Wildlife in the Garden

The Overall Winner (one chosen from the 1st Places of the above categories) will receive a top prize of £4,000 GBP.

In addition, there were other separate competitions running such as 'Portfolios' which also closed on the same date, the 'Portfolios' competition is run in association with The Royal Photographic Society (The RPS), and the 1st Place will receive a top prize of £1,000 GBP, in addition; 1st, 2nd and 3rd Places will receive RPS Gold, Silver and Bronze medals respectively.

Speaking about the Overall Winning photo, Tyrone McGlinchey FLS FRSA (IGPOTY Head Judge), said:

"This winning photograph has managed to capture that rare, magical moment between stormy weather when the sun and clouds blend to create painterly light. This, combined with Max’s unique camera setup has produced an image of outstanding artistic merit.

It's clear that Max's artistic vision and the dramatic natural elements aligned perfectly in this composition. It's always a wonderful experience when the photographer's intention is realised in the final result.

I am delighted to once again award a beautiful garden shot as the IGPOTY Overall Winner, many congratulations to Max."

Congratulations are also due to all the other awarded entrants, and thank you to everyone who entered.

The latest Competition 18 results can be found on the IGPOTY website from February 14th, 2025.

Speaking about the new Headline Sponsorship, Tyrone McGlinchey FLS FRSA, Managing Director, Mirror Plate Media Ltd, says:
"IGPOTY is thrilled to welcome – Penningtons Manches Cooper as our new Headline Sponsor for 2025. We thank them for being a patron of the IGPOTY project, so that garden photography in all its genres can continue to flourish and raise awareness of our environment, and encourage a love of our green planet."

Helen Drayton, CEO of Penningtons Manches Cooper, commented:
"We're really proud to be the headline sponsor of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition, now in its 19th year, which showcases the talent and passion of photographers who capture the beauty and diversity of gardens and the natural environment. The IGPOTY ethos reflects our own commitment to care for the environment and the importance of this to the wellbeing of human life; values close to our heart as a business. We're excited to support this initiative, and to help bring this latest series of incredible images to a wide audience when the exhibition tours locations across the UK and Europe."

To find out more information about Penningtons Manches Cooper, please visit:
www.penningtonslaw.com

Photo credits: 'Spectacle of the Painted Storm' © Max Rush, 1st Place, Beautiful Gardens, Overall Winner, IGPOTY Competition 18.
Photo location: Brockwell Park, Lambeth, London, England, United Kingdom.
Metadata: ‘Rush Richmond Park’ Field Camera (hand-built) with stitching digital back incorporating a Sony α7R Mark II body fitted into a sliding mechanism to place the 35mm sensor in a grid of 8 or 9, Mamiya 50mm lens (adapted/remounted), 0.6sec at f/22, ISO 640. Tripod, umbrella, 3-stop graduated neutral density filter. Post-capture: use of contrast tool, basic image management.