Behind the Winning Images: First Monthly Competition 2026/27

Our first monthly competition has brought a wonderful range of images, each with a story behind it. Winners Dennis Penny and Linda Cooper share how they captured their photographs—from a tender moment between Canada goose chicks to the dramatic pace of Superbike racing and the soaring arches of Fountains Abbey’s Cellarium. Read their stories behind the images below:

Close Race  - Dennis Penny

This was taken on 19-06-2026 on the Practice Day for the Super Bikes meeting. It had been raining so riders were using clear visors allowing the eyes to be seen, tinted visors used on bright days do not allow this to happen. The Camera used was an Olympus OM-1 Mark II with an Olympus 100-400 Mark 1 lens.

Fountains Abbey Cellarium - Linda Cooper

Driving back from Norfolk in early September, I stopped at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. The abbey ruins are wonderful, though it’s quite a walk to reach them! The Cellarium is still remarkably intact, and its repeating arches made a striking subject.

I took the photograph with a tripod and my Canon 10–18mm wide-angle lens, at ISO 100, 18mm, f/5.6 and 1/30 sec. Earlier this year, I had an old Canon 70D converted to infrared and have been enjoying experimenting with it. It captures lovely detail when converted to black and white and works well in low light. I processed this image in Camera Raw and then resized it in Photoshop.

Taking Shelter - Dennis Penny

Taken on 15-05-2026 at Townhill Loch, it shows Canada Goose chicks sheltering under the wing of an adult goose. The camera was an Olympus OM-1 Mark II with an Olympus 100-400 Mark 1 lens. Exposure 1/2000 f6.0 ISO 4000 Shutter Priority Spot Metering.