Celebrating the Top 10 Action and Movement Photographs from APOY 2025

The eighth round results of the International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025 competition have been announced, highlighting exceptional creativity and skill in the Movement category. Azim Khan Ronnie of France clinched the top spot with his striking photograph titled ‘Leap of Faith,’ and Matteo Botta was recognized for his outstanding work in the Young APOY competition. Below, we will delve into the top ten images from the Movement category and provide insights on each image along with the equipment used by these talented photographers.

Overview of Movement Photography

Action photography presents unique challenges; capturing the essence of movement while conveying a narrative is a delicate balance. From dynamic sports scenes to lively wildlife interactions, action photography encompasses a range of subjects. However, simply freezing a moment in time is not enough. Judges look for images that demonstrate originality, whether it’s through an unconventional perspective, innovative framing, or capturing light in a remarkable way. The top ten images from the APOY competition exemplify these qualities.

International Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025, Movement Winner

1. Leap of Faith by Azim Khan Ronnie, France - 100pts

Camera Setup: Canon EOS R5, 16-35mm at 16mm, 1/1250sec at f/11, ISO 200

Judge Jon Nicholson praises this image for its striking graphic quality, emphasizing its perfect composition. The silhouette of the leaping figure, against a backdrop of stark contrast, creates a sense of motion frozen in time. Nicholson remarks on the agility and anticipation required to capture such a fleeting moment, which elevates this image to the top of the competition.

2. Tug of War by Phil Tomlinson, UK - 90pts

Camera Setup: Canon EOS R, 24-70mm at 70mm, 1/250sec at f/2.8, ISO 250

Phil captures the intense focus of a women's tug-of-war match. The dynamic composition and the emotional expressions of the spectators create a vivid narrative. The deliberate addition of motion blur in post-production enhances the action's intensity, impeccably complementing the image's energy.

3. Leaves on a Breezy Day by Sara Williams, UK - 80pts

Camera Setup: Sony RX10 IV, 24-600mm at 60mm, 1/10sec at f/11, ISO 100

Sara's photograph stands out for its evocative quality, bringing the viewer into the scene with a delicate portrayal of movement. Using a slow shutter speed and intentional camera motion, she captures the essence of a breezy day, with vivid colors that enhance the enjoyment of nature's beauty.

4. Zooom by Vernon Katz, Israel - 70pts

Camera Setup: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 150-600mm at 205mm, 1/1000sec at f/9.5, ISO 1000

Vernon's effective use of a zoom-burst technique results in a compelling image showcasing a dirt bike rider in action. The clarity of the rider is maintained, emphasizing the sense of speed and power as sand kicks up behind the bike, enhancing the dynamic nature of the shot.

5. Leap into the Abyss by Roy Egloff, Switzerland - 60pts

Camera Setup: Canon EOS R5, 35mm, 1/1600sec at f/4.5, ISO 500

This photograph captures the tension of a woman diving off a cliff, where the angle of view creates suspense about the distance to the water. The contrast between the diver's poised form and the relaxed background speaks to the risks and thrill of the moment.

6. Crosby Birds by Norman Raine, UK - 50pts

Camera Setup: Fujifilm X-T2, 16-80mm at 80mm, 1/10sec at f/8, ISO 200

Norman captures a captivating moment filled with motion and stillness. The sharp focus on a single bird contrasts beautifully with the blur of flying birds around it, creating an enchanting vision that conveys both tranquility and dynamic movement.

7. Rhythms of the Plains in Botswana by Bircan Harper, UK - 45pts

Camera Setup: Nikon Z9, 400mm f/2.8, 1/2500sec at f/9, ISO 2500

Bircan's photograph uniquely juxtaposes a sharply-focused flock of birds with the soft outline of an elephant in the background. This combination enhances the visual depth, creating an almost painterly effect that captures the essence of nature's rhythm.

8. A Surprise Flight by Louise Norris, UK - 40pts

Camera Setup: Canon EOS R6 Mark II, 100-500mm at 363mm, 1/800sec at f/5.6, ISO 20,000

Louise boldly captures the dramatic moment of an osprey swooping to catch its prey. The clarity and focus on the bird's features, combined with the splashes of water, illustrate her keen timing and technical skill, making this image compelling and powerful.

9. Shower Time by Lucas Pereira, Czechia - 35pts

Camera Setup: Fujifilm X-T3, 18-55mm at 20mm, 1/250sec at f/5.6, ISO 160

Lucas's creative shot features a low viewpoint and a striking black-and-white treatment. The water arcing toward the horse adds a playful sense of movement, demonstrating original interpretations and dynamic composition.

10. Boy in the Bubble by David Read, UK - 30pts

Camera Setup: Sony A6300, 114mm, 1/1600sec at f/8, ISO 1000

This enigmatic image captures a boy in a bubble moving across water. The contrast of warm and cool colors evokes intrigue, prompting viewers to ponder the narrative behind the photograph. It's a masterful blend of mystery and action.

International Young Amateur Photographer of the Year 2025, Movement Winner

The Flying Horse by Matteo Botta, Switzerland - 100pts

Camera Setup: Canon EOS 2000D, 24-70mm at 27mm, 1/400sec at f/2.8, ISO 1600

Matteo impressively captures the contrasts in emotion within the scene of a horse and rider amidst a crowd. The stillness of the rider against the frantic energy surrounding the horse creates a striking narrative, encapsulating a moment that feels both thrilling and chaotic.

Camera Club Competition Highlights

This round also highlights exceptional entries from various camera clubs participating in this year’s APOY competition.

Squirrel Kit by Gary Clements, Mid-Somerset Camera Club

Camera Setup: Canon EOS R6 Mark II, 70-200mm at 200mm, 1/5000sec at f/2.8, ISO 3200

Gary Clements emerges with an action shot of a squirrel that stands out as a result of superb timing and the reflective quality of the water below.

Head First by Annette Murty, Visions Photography Club

Camera Setup: Nikon Z7, 28-400mm at 400mm, 1/320sec at f/11, ISO 320

This composition showcases surfers in action, creating a dynamic triangular formation that adds visual interest and humor to the scene.

Changing Course by Pedro Landers, Launceston Camera Club

Camera Setup: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, 100-400mm at 400mm, 1/320sec at f/40, ISO 400

This poignant image emphasizes slow movement, aided by a timeless black-and-white treatment that gives it a classic feel.

Stormy Waves by Jane Jones, Stafford Photographic Society

Camera Setup: Google Pixel 9, 6.9mm, 1/2500sec at f/1.7, ISO 21

The exquisite interplay of light and composition in Jane's long exposure of waves offers a beautifully serene depiction of nature.

Samba by Rachel Domleo, Bristol Photographic Society

Camera Setup: Not specified

This energetic long-exposure shot of drumming captures movement with brilliant clarity, enhanced by a singular color scheme that ties the composition together.

Leaderboards After Round Eight, Movement

The competition sees a reshuffle at the top of the leaderboard, with Azim Khan Ronnie overtaking Bircan Harper for first place. Close contenders Philip Tomlinson and Erika Howard are closely trailing behind, ensuring a competitive finish as the final rounds approach. In the Young APOY leaderboard, Ben Hancock-Smith maintains a slight lead, while the camera club rankings show Plymouth CC with a significant but not unassailable edge.

Winning Gear from Camera Centre UK

The gear that has helped these photographers achieve their compelling visuals includes some impressive setups. Azim Khan Ronnie’s top shot employed the Canon EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM, praised for its robustness and versatility, available for £1,099 at Camera Centre UK. Meanwhile, Norman Raine utilized the Fujifilm XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR, noted for its build quality and performance, priced at £539.

Bircan Harper benefited from the state-of-the-art Nikon Z9, acclaimed for its exceptional quality and agility in any shooting scenario, currently retailing for £4,149.

Check out the full range at www.cameracentreuk.com

A big congratulations to all the talented photographers featured in this round of the APOY competition, whose hard work and creativity continue to inspire and elevate the art of photography!

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