PICTURE EXCLUSIVE
This photo of the Red Arrows landed Tim Laurence top spot in the Amateur Military Category
The RAF has honoured its best photographers as part of its Photographer of the Year competition, with a stunning picture of the Red Arrows scooping best amateur image.
Senior aircraftman (SAC) Tim Laurence triumphed in the Amateur Military category with his Red Arrows photo, pictured above.
Runner-up was flying officer Owen Cheverton, while flight lieutenant Vik Singh Taak (Voluntary Reserve Training branch) bagged third place.
The overall RAF Photographer of the Year was SAC Matthew Baker who works for the photographic unit based at RAF Leuchars in Scotland.
More than 900 images were entered into the contest which is now in its 22nd year.
An RAF spokesperson said entries were ?not all about fast jets?, many depicting less glamourous subjects such as helicopter crews supplying essential transport.
Head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, added: ?These dynamic images reflect the extensive breadth of Service life and the critical contribution that our personnel are making to global operations, in particular our support to operations in both Libya and Afghanistan.?
Warrant officer Mick Gladwin, who heads up the RAF?s Photographic Trade Group, said: ?RAF photographers have superb technical ability and take great pride in their work.
?As reflected in the entries this year, they strive to achieve the highest standards in areas as diverse as aerial reconnaissance, portraiture and video as well as completing tasks in support of the police, post-crash management, engineering, medical and dental branches in their day-to-day duties.’
The Amateur Military category was sponsored by high-street chain Jessops.
This shot earned SAC Mark Dixon third place in the RAF Photographer of the Year
Picture: Crown Copyright
Flight lieutenant Andrew Johnston won a Highly Commended in the Amateur Military category with this image of a training exercise in the North Sea
