After receiving hundreds of stunning entries over the past few weeks we have finally reached the conclusion of this year’s SAPOTY competition. A very high standard of images made life difficult for our four judges, who each commented on how many were worthy of winning their category and how hard it was to make a final decision. But in the end, only one image from each category could be chosen as a winner, and only one of those chosen as the overall winner. We are delighted to share the results below.
A note from SIGMA CEO Kazuto Yamaki:
“I am greatly impressed with the standard of entries in the SIGMA Art Photographer of the Year competition 2024, and it has been inspiring to see what UK photographers have been able to achieve with SIGMA Art lenses across all genres of photography. I am deeply grateful to everyone who took the time to enter. The four category winners were creative and skilfully crafted photographs, and all very worthy of coming first in their categories. My job of choosing between them was very challenging as they are all so different, but I believe there was one stand-out winner that really held my attention, and that was the People and Portraits category winner. A huge well done to photographer Jason Dimmock”
SAPOTY judge Holly Wren comments: “I think this image is beautiful. The use of light is captivating, it’s sensitive and uses the light and shadow to draw you into the image. it captures the subject with grace and softness, and is beautifully understated. This to me is what a portrait should be; it shows the connection between the photographer and subject, in a moment that feels effortless. It immediately spoke to me, captured with simplicity but executed with technical perfection. The 50mm is the perfect choice, its depth and the quality of the lens is apparent.”
SIGMA CEO Kazuto Yamaki comments: “The control of light, tonality, colour and texture in this image is exceptional. I can really sense the modesty and gentleness of this person, and it’s this strong connection that the photographer has created between the viewer and the subject that makes it such a captivating photograph. Technically, the image is also excellent, with directional but gentle lighting and a beautifully chosen colour palette. My great congratulations to Jason Dimmock for winning the UK SIGMA Art Photographer of the Year award 2024.”
Hannah’s captivating portrait, shot with the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 Art lens, has earned her an honourable mention in this year’s SAPOTY. This serene image beautifully captures a moment of calm reflection, with the subject floating just above the waterline. The judges loved Hannah’s use of a delicate colour palette, shallow depth-of-field, and soft lighting to craft a tranquil and sensitive portrait. The strong eye contact, gentle focus and subtle tones invite us into a moment of introspection, making this image a standout in the category.
SAPOTY judge Joe Cornish comments: “Tackling highly popular subjects is a special challenge due to the myriad of comparable images already in existence. But amongst beechwood and bluebells photographs this one stands out due to the immediacy of its beautiful lighting, the subtlety of the processing, and the precision of framing (the zoom lens will have helped here). I particularly love the slender fallen branch, a precisely-observed darker note in a scene that might have otherwise been too sweet.”
This astro image by Gareth Mon Jones earns an honourable mention for its breathtaking portrayal of the universe. The image captures the milky way with remarkable clarity, testament to the technical expertise of the photographer and the performance of the equipment used. The clever use of a subject within the image invite us to reflect on the vastness of the universe, reminding us of the wonder that lies beyond our planet.
SAPOTY judge Colin Prior comments: “Here a striking geometric composition has been created by the simple use of light and shadow using the Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN. At first glance the stark contrast between the blacks and whites creates a tension, and yet after looking for longer, a calmness reigned. Light and dark are concepts that exist in opposition, yet together create a perfect balance. One cannot exist without the other; as one appears, the other disappears.”
The judges marked Danielle Bolton’s image highly within the ‘Light and Shadow’ category, with its bold and dynamic use of light conveying the intensity of a live performance. The striking contrast between the highly saturated light and the rich shadow creates powerful visual impact, drawing attention to both the musician and the instrument. The use of bold colour works well with the sharp composition, capturing a dramatic moment within a live performance, whilst the low angle places the subject in a dominant position. A powerful image captured with technical precision and creative flair.
SAPOTY judge Benedict Brain comments: “This captivating image oozes mood and atmosphere. It offers a delightfully fresh perspective on the ‘urban’ theme. I love the strong sense of narrative conveyed in the scene, with the human presence subtly revealed through the condensation on the barbershop window. The light spilling into the frame enhances the scene, evoking emotion and drawing the viewer in. However, the gradual unveiling of the subject being shaved, seen through the misty glass, anchors the image, providing structure, focal point and story.”
The ‘Urban World’ category featured images of a wide range of genres, from architectural and abstract to documentary and street photography. Peter’s image stood out for its thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between the natural world and urban life. The balanced composition and simple colour palette work to create a striking contrast between the presence of nature and the urban environment, whilst the inclusion of a person within the scene builds a narrative regarding the role of society within this dialogue.
Joe Cornish
Joe is one of the most important and widely-respected British photographers of all time. His work over the past 40 years has been extremely influential, focusing chiefly on Yorkshire, but also further afield across the UK and abroad.
He is widely published, including providing the imagery for some 30 travel books. He also produces calendars and fine-art prints. His work is strongly influenced by his passion as an environmentalist, showcasing the remarkable beauty and fragility of our natural environment.
He has been involved in the Distinction panels of the RPS and has been on the judging team of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
joecornishgallery.co.uk
Colin Prior
Colin is one of the most influential and widely-published landscape photographers of his generation. Working mostly in Scotland’s upland regions, but also abroad, and most notably in the Karakoram mountains in Asia and, he has produced a wide body of work over the past 40 years showcased in a range of books, calendars and fine art prints.
In 2020, Merrell published Fragile — Birds, Eggs & Habitats, which was followed in 2021 by The Karakoram — Ice Mountain Of Pakistan, the most glaciated region on the planet outside Antarctica and the Arctic. His earlier books, include Living Tribes and The World’s Wild Places, were published internationally by Constable.
colinprior.co.uk
Holly Wren
Holly is a leading commercial advertising photographer, specialising in portraits and lifestyle imagery. She loves to work on location, telling the narrative through the environment as well as the sitter. She is passionate about light, whether natural or artificial, or the lack of, and it’s ability to create stunning images with atmosphere.
Based in London and Brighton, she works all around the UK with charities, commercial organisations, individuals and celebrities to create content for marketing, advertising, TV and social media. Holly recently worked with an indigenous tribe in the mountains of Oaxaca to document their Day of the Dead festival.
hollywren.com
Benedict Brain
Benedict is a UK-based photographer, journalist and author. He balances his personal practice with writing about photography and running photography workshops and enrichment programmes. His first book, You Will Be Able to Take Great Photos By the End of this Book was published by Ilex Press (Octopus Publishing) in 2023.
Benedict is often seen on the judging panel of prestigious photo competitions and in 2020 he founded Potato Photographer of the Year. Benedict travels internationally as a public speaker talking about the art and craft of photography and sits on The Royal Photographic Society’s Licentiate distinctions panel.
benedictbrain.com
Kazuto Yamaki
Kazuto Yamaki is the owner and CEO of SIGMA Corporation. He is the son of Michihiro Yamaki, who founded SIGMA in 1961. Not only does Mr Yamaki oversee the concept, design, manufacturing, marketing and sales of each and every SIGMA product, but he is also a keen photographer with a deep passion for imaging.
The Global Vision range of lenses, which includes the Art, Contemporary and Sports lines, was introduced by Mr Yamaki shortly after he became CEO in 2012, so he great enjoys seeing the images that photographers are able to achieve with these lenses.
Mr Yamaki will not be a category judge, but will decide which of the four category winners will take the SIGMA Art Photographer of the Year overall winner prize 2024.
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