IN PICTURES: Pick Your Favourite RAF Photographer Of The Year

The annual ‘People’s Choice’ for RAF image of the year has opened for public voting.

Members of the public are now able to choose one of nine contestants to receive the award as part of the RAF Photographic Competition 2017.

The nominated pictures, which have been carefully selected by a team of expert judges, feature images of a Chinook Helicopter, the Red Arrows, and the Falcons.

Over 800 images were submitted to the competition by RAF personnel, both armatures and professionals.

Judge Mark O’Neill, who currently works as a Night Photographer and Light Painter for Digital Noise Photography said:

“Judging this year’s instalment of the RAF’s prestigious photography competition was no easy task. The submitted photographs are of an exemplary standard and cover a broad range of briefs, subjects and photographic disciplines; from front-line action, to heart-warming portraits. 

“This wide variety goes some way towards revealing just how challenging and diverse a role that the RAF’s Photographers are faced with and how well they execute it."

Voting closes at 23:59 on Wednesday, 20 September 2017, with the awards announced at a ceremony on Thursday, 21 September 2017.

Other categories in the RAF photographic competition are:

· The Judge’s choice RAF image of the year

· Photographic section (professional photographers only)

· Technical/Engineering (professional photographers only)

· RAF Operations & Exercises (professional photographers only)

· Current RAF equipment (professional photographers only)

· Sports (professional photographers only)

· Personnel (professional photographers only)

· Open video (open to all personnel)

· Open image (open to all personnel)

· The Mallett Student Trophy (RAF basic training students at the Defence School of Photography only)

· Amateur military (non-professional photographers only)

· RAF Photographer of the year