Winning images include hottest day antics, re-created Pre-Raphelite paintings, parkour and cycling exploits and Edinburgh’s overflowing rubbish bins.

The Association of Photographers has revealed the ‘Oscars of photography’ gold and silver winners in the 10 categories of its 38th Photography Awards (first launched in 1984). Winning images included a feast inspired by the excesses of Mare Antoinette; Brighton beach-goers on the UK’s hottest day; re-created historic and cultural events along the River Thames, and Edinburgh’s overflowing bins during last year’s refuse collectors’ strike.

The judges declared:

“Documentary photography is about capturing those moments that matter, and for me, the best entries were both beautiful, impactful and best of all, showed me something I didn’t know.”

“It was a joy to see the breadth & diversity of styles in this year’s factual and observation category. Projects covered the spectrum of the human experience from showing beauty in the banal to the wonderful and eccentric ways we find to express ourselves.”

“There were many images which had an impact on me. Some were humorous and some were really well executed. The ones which hit home were the images which told me a story and brimmed with creativity. The art is the creative process, not just the finished photo.”

“I’m truly inspired by the level of storytelling evident in these photographs. Each entry in the ‘Spaces’ category paints a vivid picture of the world we live in – its beauty, architecture and unique character. The photographers have done an excellent job in capturing hidden gems, reminding us of the profound connection between people and their surroundings.”

The 10 categories in the AOP awards, which are held in association with Hahnemühle, are: Lifestyle, Documentary, Portrait, Environment, Still Life & Object, Food & Drink, Fashion & Beauty, Sport, Project, and Spaces.

Other awards announced include the Discovery award for Documentary; the winners of the Best in Commissioned Work and Best in Personal Work; the silver and gold winners in the Open Award, and the winner of the inaugural Martin Evening Excellence in Digital Retouching Award.

Isabelle Doran, CEO of the Association of Photographers, says, “With the world around us in a state of constant flux, our 38th AOP Photography Award winners have this year delivered visually arresting images that ground us in the familiar surroundings of human existence, capturing with light, images that are powerful, playful and passionate, representing our multifaceted lives.”

Lifestyle
GOLD: Andy Lo Pò
SILVER: Eleanor Church

Documentary
GOLD: Matthew Joseph

SILVER: Steven Mark Fisher

Portrait
GOLD: Gabrielle Motola

SILVER: Hannah Maule-ffinch

Environment

GOLD: Euan Myles

SILVER: Joseph Ford

Still Life + Object

GOLD: Sarah Hogan

SILVER: James Day

Food & Drink

GOLD: Frankie Turner

SILVER: Graeme Fordham

Fashion & Beauty
GOLD: Jack Eames
SILVER: Jack Eames

Sport

GOLD: Matthew Joseph

SILVER: Pete Muller

Project

GOLD: Julia Fullerton-Batten

SILVER: Zoë Norfolk

Spaces

GOLD: Kate Peters

SILVER: David Valinsky

Discovery Award for Documentary

Lesley Lau

Best in Commissioned Work

Robert J Wilson

Best in Personal Work

Sophie Ebrard

Martin Evening Excellence in Digital Retouching Award

Mark Francis, Midas Retouching

Open Award