RNLI Photographer of the Year

First Aid Training, Bloody Bay, July 2011

I'm just back from London to receive the RNLI Photographer of the Year award at the London Boat Show. The winning image was taken during a man overboard and first aid exercise in Bloody Bay to the north of Tobermory back in July. I was given the good news that I had won when I was at the RNLI College on a training course back in November but details of the award were embargoed until a few days ago.


Initially I thought that the photograph was quite an odd choice for the judges. Indeed, I nearly didn't submit the photograph for the competition. However, it seems that the RNLI is (if you'll pardon the pun) awash with photographs of lifeboats in heavy seas. As you'll see from the RNLI's press release, it's the commitment, focus and cameraderie shown by the crew in the photograph which attracted the judges.


So why did I decide to enter the image? I'd been one of two crew who'd jumped into the water to be recovered by the Severn class lifeboat. I was 'rescued' first and grabbed my camera and tried not to drip sea water all over it whilst Robin Harrowsmith, the other 'man overboard' played an unconscious casualty for a first aid scenario on the aft deck. The light, action and setting all came together. My main photographic passion is landscape photography and I was really drawn to the stunning light that evening, but it's the total focus and concentration of my fellow RNLI volunteers which I feel really makes the image. As with many of my crew photos on the lifeboat, it was taken with a long lens which helps me get more natural images as most of the time the guys don't realise that I'm taking photographs.

Preparing to go 'overboard'

Splashdown!

Waiting to be 'rescued'

Bobbing around in Bloody Bay

Rescue!

It's a huge honour to be named RNLI Photographer of the Year and to say that I'm chuffed is an understatement. I'm really pleased that this particular image featuring my crewmates was chosen. When I joined the crew, the Tobermory Coxswain Phil Higson asked me to build up a photographic record of our work and both he and everyone at the station have been very enthusiastic in supporting me in this task. Whilst I always have a small compact camera with me in my 'yellows', I am first and foremost a member of the crew and lifeboat duties come first. I was accompanied to London by Phil and one of my other friends off the crew, Gunny (who is wearing a helmet on the left hand side of the photo) and I accepted the award on behalf of everyone at Tobermory RNLI - I couldn't have won it without them. The award was presented by marine photographer, Rick Tomlinson, himself a former RNLI Crew Member and a holder of the RNLI Bronze Medal for a rescue whilst carrying out an assignment for the RNLI. Rick's work can be seen here.