Paignton photographer in with a shot at British Photography Awards

A Paignton photographer has been shortlisted for the British Photography Awards with this exceptional drone shot of Quaywest at Goodrington. 

Taken by Sam Evans, the photo was shortlisted for the drone shot category. The 24 other photos will be up for first and second place, as well as the People’s Choice Award, voted by members of the public. 

Winners will be announced at a black-tie Awards Gala in November and displayed at an upcoming British Photography Roadshow in 2024-25.

The British Photography Awards describe how “the intertwining curves and loops of all the slides come to life with a bird's eye view. Reminiscent of a marble run, this image captures the playful chaos and excitement of a water park.”

Sam Evans began his journey into photography during Covid, a bi-product of the ‘one walk a day policy’ during the lockdowns.

“I was rushing too much while I was out on my walk,” he said. 

“I was getting back too quick, feeling like I hadn’t really taken anything in. So I started taking photos on my phone and stuff before I bought some gear, and it just spiralled from there.”

As landscapes are Sam’s favourite to photograph, it wasn’t long before he got into the world of drones.

“A drone can completely change your perspective. As a photographer, you can see everything around you differently.

“I partially like top-down perspectives, like the one at Quaywest. It would be impossible to see that without a drone, with the spiralling of the slides. I walked past Quaywest all the time, but I’ve never seen it that way before.

Sam also managed to get the image published in a top camera magazine just a few months before being shortlisted. 

He said: “I’ve been taking photos seriously for three or four years now, which is nothing in the photography world. I just thought I'd take a bit of a punt.

“I had two goals this year, which were a little bit, probably a little bit ambitious. One was to be published and one was to be shortlisted., I've obviously managed both so I couldn’t be happier.”

You can vote for Sam’s picture at the British Photography Awards website here. The deadline for votes is October 9.