The top three regional press photographs of royalty from the past year have been chosen by the public – along with a picture of would-be MP Lord Buckethead.
The News Media Association has unveiled the final shortlist for its second Royal Rota photography competition following a public vote which saw 15 regional press entries whittled down to three.
The remaining trio are Joseph Raynor’s photo for the Nottingham Post of the Duchess of Cornwall visiting the headquarters of Boots, Mike Swift’s photo for the Windsor Observer of the Queen during her recreation of Queen Victoria’s first trip on a railway, and Diane Vose’s photo for the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald of Prince Charles visiting a brewery in Devizes.
One of the trio will now be crowned Regional/Local Newspaper Rota Photo of the Year by a judging panel of five.
Ian Longthorne’s picture of Lord Buckethead dabbing for the Windsor Express is shortlisted for Best Election Photo
A bonus category is being run this year for the Best Election Photo, with Ian Longthorne’s picture for the Windsor Express of Lord Buckethead, who stood against Theresa May in Maidenhead, making the shortlist.
Prizes will also be awarded for the best National Newspaper Rota Photo of the Year and National Newspaper Rota Photo of the Year.
Joseph Raynor’s photo of the Duchess of Cornwall for the Nottingham Post
The competition judging panel will also select and Overall Rota Photo of the Year.
The panel consists of Lynne Anderson, News Media Association deputy chief executive, Dr Michael Pritchard, Royal Photographic Society director-general, Paul Jarrett, photographer and Wire Photo Agencies secretary, Nigel Atherton, Time Inc group editor, and Chris Eades, The British Press Photographers’ Association chairman.
Diane Vose’s photo of Prince Charles for the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald
The NMA manages the Royal Rota on behalf of its members, allocating passes for the hundreds of Royal engagements undertaken by members of the Royal Family each year and ensuring that the material is pooled among members.
A total of 48 entries were received for this year’s contest.
Mike Swift’s photo of the Queen for the Windsor Observer
Other regional press entries came from the Brecon & Radnor Express, Lynn News, Newbury Weekly News, Oxford Mail, Portsmouth daily The News, Tamworth Herald, Wells Journal and York daily The Press.
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Are these really the best photos the nation’s regional media has to offer? All are bland and extremely average. I pity the judges having to declare one of them as a winner.
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How can these be the shortlist? because it was down to a public vote, so if you had a good campaign, your shortlisted. That being said, they are very, very average. A perfect reflection of the state of the regional press.
Lord Buckethead is under exposed and obscured with foliage.
Duchess of Cornwall has one of her odd expressions, and frankly dull.
Prince charles should have been cropped to an upright.
Why is half of the queen missing?
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Distinctly average pictures….
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