Now in its sixth exhibition year, the IGPOTY-run (International Garden Photographer of the Year) Special Award for Blenheim Palace is a well-established competition, highly coveted by entrants. This year’s competition, part of the 17th IGPOTY exhibition, showcased stunning scenes capturing the essence of Blenheim Palace’s landscape and heritage.
Winning Photographs
The latest dramatic awarded images have been revealed for the ‘Beautiful Blenheim 2024’ (Competition 17) Special Award, highlighting the natural beauty of Blenheim Palace through the lenses of talented photographers.
- First Place: Awarded to Barry Roberts for his photograph “Lovely on the Water.” Roberts described the moment, saying, “It really made my day when I heard I had been awarded 1st place in the Beautiful Blenheim Special Award. I have visited Blenheim Palace on a number of occasions at different times of the year, and the day in November when I took this photograph was particularly lovely. I thought the way the afternoon sun lit up the trees and reflected in the water was magical and the ducks just added another dimension to the picture.”
Barry Roberts will be presented with the First Place prize at an award ceremony at Blenheim Palace, receiving a Champagne afternoon tea for two, a Private Tour of Blenheim Palace, and a Blenheim Palace hamper. His Grace The Duke of Marlborough commented on the winning photograph, saying, “I chose this photograph as it has captured the beauty of the colours shining on the leaves of the trees together with the ducks peacefully feeding in the darker end of the water.”
- Second Place: Awarded to Mark Hatt.
- Third Place: Also awarded to Barry Roberts for another outstanding photograph.
Exhibition Details
A selection of higher-placed photos will be on display alongside the IGPOTY 17 exhibition when it tours at Blenheim Palace from July 10th 2024 to September 9th 2024. This exhibition will feature various award-winning garden photographs that capture the beauty and essence of gardens worldwide, making it a must-visit event for photography and nature enthusiasts.
The exhibition, located in the Walled Garden, will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and is included with a valid Pass or day ticket.
Workshops and Talks Visitors can also look forward to photography workshops and talks by professional photographers during the exhibition period. These events provide valuable insights and learning opportunities, enhancing the visitor experience.
Visiting Information
- Tickets and Pricing: Standard admission fees apply, and National Trust or English Heritage members enjoy free entry. Early bird pricing is available for some events like The Game Fair.
- Opening Hours: The exhibition will be open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It’s advisable to check the Blenheim Palace website for any changes or specific event timings.
- Accessibility: Blenheim Palace offers wheelchair access, and audio guides are available for visually impaired visitors. Detailed accessibility information can be found on their official website.
Overview
- Event Duration: July 10, 2024 – September 9, 2024
- Location: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1PP
- Venue: Walled Garden at Blenheim Palace
Additional Information
For more details on the competition and exhibition, visit the International Garden Photographer of the Year website and the Blenheim Palace events page.
Winning photographs of Beautiful Blenheim 2024
1st- Lovely on the Water by Barry Roberts
Photographer comments: The vibrant colours of autumn were captured in this pastoral scene – reflected in the waters of the Great Lake.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80, Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, 1/60sec at f/8, ISO 320. Post-capture: use of crop and contrast tools, basic image management.
2nd – Blenheim, Looking Towards Woodstock by Mark Hatt
Photographer comments: I captured this fitting panorama from the Grand Bridge, looking towards the vehicle entrance into Blenheim, from Woodstock.
Nikon D850, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 lens, 1/30sec at f/18, ISO 64. Post-capture: use of crop and exposure tools, basic image management.
3rd Place – Old Twisty by Barry Roberts
Photographer comments: I captured the portrait of this ancient oak tree with wonderfully twisted branches, living in the woods, in the grounds of Blenheim Palace.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80, Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, 1/60sec at f/8, ISO 800. Post-capture: use of contrast tool, basic image management.
Finalist – Blenheim Garden by Kaye Leggett
Photographer comments: I spent a lot of time in the Palace Gardens in the post lockdown period in 2020; this shot was taken in August when the gardens were unusually quiet and peaceful.
I often take multiple exposure shots, it is fun seeing what you can make – this is a multiple exposure of the Rose Garden (captured in-camera), combined with another shot of the Palace, which seemed like the natural thing to do.
Canon EOS RP, Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, f/8 to f/13, ISO 100. Tripod. Post-capture: combined multiple images together in Adobe Photoshop, use of exposure, clarity, and contrast tools, basic image management in Adobe Lightroom.
Finalist – Old Pals by Barry Roberts
Photographer comments: I captured these two venerable old oak trees, which evoked the emotion of good friends, meeting again after a long time. In post-processing, I applied a Topaz Labs filter to slightly soften the image, and to reduce the shine on the leaves.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80, Panasonic Lumix G Vario 12-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens, 1/80sec at f/8, ISO 500. Post-capture: use of contrast tool, applied Topaz Labs filter, basic image management.
Finalist – I Could Tell You Some Tales by Doug Lamb
Photographer comments: This is a wonderful example of the many ancient oaks in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Whilst they are all amazing to look at, they are often difficult to photograph, as the background, and indeed their immediate surroundings, can be very busy and congested.
One way to deal with this is to use a long lens and/or a large aperture, making the subject stand out and the background drop out of focus. This was taken with a 70-200mm lens at f/4 to achieve the effect.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens, 1/60sec at f/4.5, ISO 200. Post-capture: basic RAW image management in Adobe Lightroom, use of crop tool.
Highly Commended – Beautiful Blenheim by Doug Lamb
Photographer comments: This is a view (taken in May), that many visitors to Blenheim Palace will see, so I wanted to add something different. It was rather windy, so I thought of adding drama by making a black and white conversion. The flat appearance on the lake surface was created with a 10-stop neutral density filter, cutting out most of the light and allowing for a 30 second exposure time. Whilst freezing all movement in the water, it has the opposite effect on the clouds; their movement is seen as scudding across the sky, further enhancing the drama. A strong sense of a diagonal line leads the eye from the foreground, across the striped lawn, directly to the Palace. I placed this on intersecting thirds to make the image sit comfortably.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM lens, 30sec at f/11, ISO 320. Tripod, B+W 10-stop neutral density filter. Post-capture: basic RAW image management in Adobe Lightroom, converted to black and white in Nik Silver Efex.
Highly Commended – One of Many by Doug Lamb
Photographer comments: Scattered around the grounds of Blenheim Palace are many magical examples of ancient oak trees. The beautiful orange and yellow hues of this individual, stood out against the browns, greens, greys and blues of its setting. I am very attracted to the way the dark boughs and branches twist and weave their way through the foliage. It has a very magical feel to it. A long lens was able to isolate this scene, which was shot from across a narrow part of the lake.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III, Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens, 1/60sec at f/5.6, ISO 800. Post-capture: basic RAW image management in Adobe Lightroom, use of crop tool.
Highly Commended – Italian Garden by Ian Bone
Photographer comments: The Italian Garden is usually closed off to visitors, so our camera group was privileged to have access to the garden on this evening, after visitors had departed. I felt that this image captured the beautiful swirls and patterns of the box knot garden, leading up to the magnificent Mermaid Fountain (designed and built by Waldo Story).
Nikon Z5, Nikon Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR lens, 1/15sec at f/6.3, ISO 140. Tripod. Post-capture: use of exposure tool, basic image management in Adobe Lightroom.
What is the International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY)
Now in its 18th Competition year, and continues to be one of the world’s most respected photography competitions and touring exhibitions – especially in the garden, flora, fauna and fungi photography genres.
IGPOTY runs a number of localised Special Awards and tours to exhibition venues such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Blenheim Palace. The tour is both botanical and prestigious.
The main exhibition launch is normally held annually at Kew Gardens, which is followed by a programme of touring exhibitions in the UK, Europe and rest of world.
The main IGPOTY competition normally opens in January-February (TBC) and closes on 31st October (12 Noon/GMT) each year.
IGPOTY is inclusive and accepts entries from both amateur and professional adult photographers, worldwide.
How to Get to Blenheim Palace
By Car:
- From London: Take the M40 northbound and exit at Junction 9. Follow the A34 towards Oxford, then take the A44 northbound towards Woodstock. Blenheim Palace is signposted from the A44.
- From the North: Use the M40 southbound and exit at Junction 10. Follow the A43 towards Bicester, then take the A4095 towards Woodstock.
- Parking: There is ample parking available at Blenheim Palace. Parking is free for visitors.
By Train:
- Oxford Station: The nearest major train station is Oxford. Trains from London Paddington to Oxford run frequently and the journey takes about an hour.
- Hanborough Station: For a closer option, take a train to Hanborough Station, which is about 3 miles from Blenheim Palace. From Hanborough, you can take a taxi or a local bus to reach the palace.
By Bus:
- From Oxford: The S3 bus service runs from Oxford city centre to Blenheim Palace, stopping at various points in the city including the train station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
By Bike:
- Cycle Routes: There are several cycle routes to Blenheim Palace from Oxford and the surrounding areas. The palace has bike racks for visitors who choose to cycle, with discounts for green travel.
Walking:
- From Woodstock: If you’re staying in Woodstock, Blenheim Palace is a short walk away, making it convenient for visitors staying in local accommodations.
Useful Tips:
- Check Timetables: Make sure to check the latest train and bus timetables before planning your journey.
- Advance Tickets: For a smoother experience, consider purchasing tickets to Blenheim Palace in advance from their official website.
