2024 Amateur Photographer of the Year Winners and Highlights
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Lynn Fraser and Lucy Monckton claim top honors in the 2024 Amateur Photographer of the Year competition, showcasing their exceptional talent across various themes.
We're thrilled to share the results of the 2024 Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) competition, which celebrated the incredible work of amateur photographers from around the globe. This year's competition involved ten distinct rounds, each featuring themes including Landscapes, People, Urban Life, Macro, and the newly introduced Open round. Photographers had the opportunity to earn points in each round, contributing to an overall leaderboard, with rankings reflecting their performance throughout the competition.
The rewards for the winners are substantial. Each round victor receives a one-year subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud 'All Apps' plan, valued at £660, as well as a £500 voucher redeemable at Camera Centre UK. Additionally, the overall winner for the Amateur Photographer of the Year pocketed a £1,000 voucher for Camera Centre UK, while the Young Amateur Photographer of the Year earned a £500 voucher. Clubs who performed well weren't left out either, with the club accumulating the most points receiving a high-quality ViewSonic X1-4K projector worth £1,500 and rewards for the top contributors.
Amateur Photographer of the Year 2024: Lynn Fraser
The title of Amateur Photographer of the Year for 2024 goes to Lynn Fraser. A former solicitor turned archaeologist, Lynn now operates a fruit farm with her husband. She first made her presence known in the competition with a strong showing in round one and managed to maintain her position throughout the year, ultimately winning by a slim margin of just ten points against Sara Jazbar.
Lynn's journey to the top included a fifth-place finish in the Black & White category, second place in Travel, and numerous shortlists in various other rounds, highlighting the importance of consistent performance in competitions such as this. Her portrait of a girl from the Suri tribe in Ethiopia, featured in the Black & White round, served as a significant entry for her. 
Lynn reflects on her initial foray into photography, which began with a Kodak Instamatic 100 in her childhood years. After trying various cameras, including DSLRs, her photography journey intensified around 2014. She attributes her growth and eventual success in the contest to her broadened approach to submissions.
AP: What inspires you?
LF: I’m inspired by anything that makes me curious.
AP: What advice do you have for future contestants?
LF: I urge participants to enter as many images as possible across all categories. It increases the chance of gathering points significantly. Pick images that align with the theme and forget about it once submitted!
Looking to the future, Lynn plans a photography trip to Bangladesh and India in March and is also preparing to create a handmade photography book, showcasing her progress and growth in the field.
Young Amateur Photographer of the Year: Lucy Monckton
Lucy Monckton, who previously shared the title of Young APOY in 2021, returned to claim the title outright this year with an impressive lead of 90 points over fellow photographer Yousef Naser. Lucy shined across several categories, including winning rounds in Animal Kingdom, Landscapes, Macro, and Travel, while finishing in the top ten of three additional rounds.
Camera Club Winner: Plymouth Camera Club
This year marked a shift in the long-standing dominance of the Launceston Camera Club as Plymouth Camera Club emerged victorious. With 17 active members participating, they amassed an impressive total of 620 points, significantly ahead of the Truro Camera Club, their nearest competitor.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the photographers who participated this year and to our sponsors, Camera Centre UK, Adobe, and ViewSonic. We eagerly anticipate the announcement for the 2025 Amateur Photographer of the Year competition.
