THE FINALISTS AND WINNERS

The judges have had the tough task of sorting through the near 4,000 photographs you tagged #CanonFirsts. Since the competition closed a few days ago, the editors of the biggest action, outdoor, and adventure publications have been locked away, deliberating and cogitating about who the two lucky winners of the two fantastic prizes on offer should be.

There have been tantrums, arguments, and sleepless nights here at Factory Media Towers but, at last, we’ve whittled our favourites down to eleven (representing all of the areas Factory Media cover). But, of course, only the top two places will walk away with a whole heap of new camera gear, courtesy of Canon.

So without further ado, and in time-honoured reverse order, here are your #CanonFirst finalists and two winners.
(In no particular order, other than the final two)

9) Dirt

A big vista but not in the way you’d expect from a mountain bike shot. The disused Blackpool Pit quarry is an industrial scar, far from the usual high mountains and woods of mountain bike photography. It’s great to see action sports transported to new and unusual environments and Jake Varker has one a great job of capturing it.
The contrast of light and dark splits the photo in two and draws attention to the silhouetted rider. It’s a big, burly line with no clear run out, fair play to Mawgan Pownall for committing!

James Smurthwaite -Dirt Editor

8) Total Womens Cycling

This epitomises what cycling means to us, and what it can bring to anyone. The sense of adventure starts when you take the first few pedal spins from your doorstep, then, from there, the adventure never ends. The humble bike can take you around the world, both metaphorically and physically, and by the looks of it, Catherine has let it do just that. I want to be transported into this image, to see what’s around that corner.

Total Women’s Cycling

7) Outdoors Magic

We’re all used to those shots of the Northern Lights over Iceland, Norway or Sweden, but North Wales? You don’t see that very often. In one shot, Grant has managed to capture just how incredible Snowdonia is for its night skies – showing exactly why it was designated as an International Dark Sky Reserve in recent years. It’s clear Grant worked for this shot as well, in both a technical sense and in a physical one. Getting up to where he took it, on the tops of the Glyderau, is no walk in the park, that’s for sure.

Will Renwick – Outdoors Magic Editor 

6) Road Cycling UK

While we may all dream of conquering sun-drenched mountain passes, this shot by Tobias King captures the flip-side and what is ultimately the reality for UK cyclists for much of the year. Tobias has captured the dedication of the rider perfectly against the backdrop of a stormy sky that looks set to burst at any moment. Despite the leaden sky, there’s a tranquility to the shot, too – a lone rider happily ticking off the miles, despite Mother Nature saying otherwise. Chapeau, Tobias!

George Scott – Road Cycling UK Editor 

3) Ride UK BMX