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International Garden POTY 2026 — Commended

My photograph "Shadows on the Ice" was awarded Commended in the Plants & Planet category of the International Garden Photographer of the Year 2026 (Competition 19).

Published 18 February 2026

I'm absolutely delighted to share some fantastic news. My photograph, "Shadows on the Ice", has been awarded a "Commended" title in this year's prestigious International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) competition.

As many of you know, the International Garden Photographer of the Year (or IGPOTY) is one of the world's most respected photography competitions, attracting incredible talent from across the globe. To have my work recognised by their esteemed panel of judges is a huge honour and a wonderful validation of the countless hours spent out in the field. This was Competition 19, with the winners announced in February 2026.

I wanted to take a moment to go behind the lens and share the story of how this particular image came to be.

You can see the photograph on the IGPOTY website here.

I'd also encourage you to browse the full gallery of winners on the official IGPOTY website to see the truly awe-inspiring collection of nature and garden photography from around the world. A special congratulations to Mark Hetherington with his overall winning image 'Grange Fell Last Light'.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of my work!

A partially frozen lochan holds open water against a snow-covered Caledonian pine forest near Aviemore, Cairngorms, as low winter sun rakes long tree shadows across the white ground. The organic curve of the water body anchors the composition, its dark surface contrasting sharply with the luminous snowfield. Warm backlight from the south dissolves the valley into haze, lending depth to an otherwise monochrome terrain.
A partially frozen lochan holds open water against a snow-covered Caledonian pine forest near Aviemore, Cairngorms, as low winter sun rakes long tree shadows across the white ground. The organic curve of the water body anchors the composition, its dark surface contrasting sharply with the luminous snowfield. Warm backlight from the south dissolves the valley into haze, lending depth to an otherwise monochrome terrain. Buy this print →

The story behind the shot — Shadows on the Ice

This photograph was captured during the depths of winter in the Cairngorms National Park, in the Scottish Highlands. I absolutely love spending time in this part of the United Kingdom, particularly in winter. The cold temperatures and likelihood of snow (what I'd call 'proper' winter conditions) make it incredible for photography, opening up my photographic opportunities vastly compared to my usual location in the South of England.

I captured 'Shadows on the Ice' by drone (specifically with my DJI Air 2S) above a small lochan near Aviemore. The water had mostly frozen in the lochan, and the landscape was covered in snow. The perpetually low sun was aligned beautifully with the Spey Valley, casting some warm light across this frozen landscape. The conditions were truly spectacular. This is a remnant of the Caledonian Forest, where the trees and landscape have remained largely untouched by humans for millennia.

From a composition perspective, I wanted to ensure I framed the shadows from the trees on the ice at the bottom of the photograph, and also get the distant valley visible in the top right hand of the photograph. The darker unfrozen loch water provided a good central subject and the trees then provide the 'filling'. Having a drone gives total freedom with framing, and I'm glad I persevered here to get it just right.

Why the IGPOTY competition matters

Entering photography competitions can be a daunting process. You put your heart and soul into your work, and submitting it for judging requires a thick skin. However, competitions like IGPOTY are vital for pushing your creative boundaries.

I'm really pleased to have been awarded a "Commended" award in the Plants & Planet category. I did also have two other images "shortlisted" where I was asked to provide high-res photographs. These, unfortunately, did not make it into those awarded placements.

I also love to look at the data. IGPOTY is known to get thousands of entries. There are 9 categories, and around 10 to 15 images are selected for each, being awarded either Winner, Finalist, Highly Commended or Commended. So, to have made it into the final 100-150 places in such a prestigious competition is something I'm proud of! Thanks to the judges, the organisers and the sponsors for making IGPOTY possible. I look forward to entering next year.

You can see all my award winning information on my awards page here.

The two shortlisted IGPOTY entries that didn't make it

The two photographs that were shortlisted, but not awarded, were:

  • Above the Mist in the Trees, Woods & Forests category
  • Flight at Temple Island in the Breathing Spaces category

Again — I know it is hugely subjective — but I personally prefer these two photographs to the awarded one. They, to me, seem more 'special' and certainly more unique. The conditions in Above the Mist were incredibly rare, and to have gotten the geese so perfectly aligned in the composition in Flight at Temple Island during blue hour was quite the feat.

I don't find this disheartening. I find this encouraging — the images caught the eyes of the judges and made it into the final judging. At this stage of a competition, it could be anyone's game. The quality and standard of photography nowadays, particularly in paid-for competitions, is just off the scale. To even be considered is a privilege!

A flock of Canada geese lifts from the water in front of Temple Island, Henley-on-Thames, as dense dawn blue hur fog dissolves the trees into soft blue-grey tones. The neoclassical fishing lodge, designed by James Wyatt in 1771, materialises just clearly enough to anchor the scene without dominating it. The simultaneous stillness of the swimming birds along the foreground and the kinetic burst of the departing flock creates a rare layering of mood and movement.
A flock of Canada geese lifts from the water in front of Temple Island, Henley-on-Thames, as dense dawn blue hur fog dissolves the trees into soft blue-grey tones. The neoclassical fishing lodge, designed by James Wyatt in 1771, materialises just clearly enough to anchor the scene without dominating it. The simultaneous stillness of the swimming birds along the foreground and the kinetic burst of the departing flock creates a rare layering of mood and movement. Buy this print →
An absolutely magical scene from Brightwell Barrow in Oxfordshire, where a small group of trees on a 'barrow' stands above the mist, where the sunrise is lighting the scenes in the most beautiful orange, yellow and pink pastel hues.
An absolutely magical scene from Brightwell Barrow in Oxfordshire, where a small group of trees on a 'barrow' stands above the mist, where the sunrise is lighting the scenes in the most beautiful orange, yellow and pink pastel hues. Buy this print →