Photographer of the Year 2017

Jack Anstey

Rising before the sun and setting into the grey gloom, I was apprehensive of what the ‘sunrise’ might hold. My expectations were only dampened more by the slight drizzle experienced on the coastal path that leads to the tip of Dorset’s Isle of Purbeck. But sometimes perseverance and determination pays off and a little bit of luck can lead to one of the most impressive views I’ve ever seen.

Setting off just before dawn, we hiked the short 1km trail up to the top of Raven Crag, which overlooks the length of Thirlmere. It was one of those bitingly cold winter mornings, but the moment the sun came up over the Helvellyn range, all discomforts are forgotten as you realise the beauty of the world.

bird's eye photography of road near mountains

After driving for 5 hours through the total whiteout of an Icelandic blizzard, the weather finally cleared and the remote barren tundra of Northern Iceland was before us.

crashed airplane on sand grayscale photography

This was unlike any world I’d experienced up until this point. Black volcanic sand stretched out in every direction further than the eye could see, whilst horizontal snow and strong winds blasted in off the cold ocean. After walking for forty minutes in this isolated, lonely landscape void of any features – just black land, white sky – a shape began to appear out of the bleak and alien landscape.

bird's eye photography of white lighthouse tower near ocean

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula really is Iceland in a nutshell; here some of the most incredible scenes in the whole country can be found. We found this lighthouse on a stormy day, and the drone battled the wind to get up high enough and get the shot.

The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Worth battling minus temperatures and ice wind to witness.

grayscale photo of crushed plane beside person

After walking for 45 minutes through horizontal snow and driving wind, we finally saw the shape appear of the whiteness. In this alien and martian landscape there is now color, simply the black sand of the beach and the white of the snow.

train on bridge surrounded with trees at daytime

Taken at the end of a long day exploring the Lake District. Surprise View allows you to get high above Derwent Water without straying too far from the car, making it perfect for sunset.