Landscape Photographer of the Year winner stripped of title for excessive Photoshop

Landscape Photographer of the Year 2012 winner David Byrne has been disqualified from the competition for using Photoshop to make composite.

Our friends at Digital Camera World received a tip that Byrne’s overall-winning image entitled ‘Lindisfarne Boats’ and Classic View category-winning image entitled ‘Delemere Forest’ were disqualified on the grounds that they are composite images, which was later confirmed by competition organisers Take A View. A statement published on its website says:

Following the recent announcement of the winners of the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2012 Awards, further investigation has confirmed that the image chosen as the overall winner is in breach of the rules for the Classic view category owing to the extent of the digital manipulation techniques used. Organisers, Take A View have regrettably disqualified David Byrne’s image of Lindisfarne Castle and can announce that Simon Butterworth is the new winner of this year’s competition.

Landscape Photographer of the Year 2012 winner disqualified?

David Byrne's winning image

Professional photographer and photo blogger Alex Nail has posted a long analysis of Byrne’s images, comparing EXIF data and gif animations of Byrne’s and determines the images have been heavily manipulated.

However, Nail adds: “I would like to say from my part that although the issue is now solved satisfactorily I never set out to harm Davids reputation, only to criticise the competition selection and by association David’s images.

“For my part I have no interest in David being ‘stripped’ of his award but perhaps it was the only recourse for the competition after so much bad publicity.”

Photographer Tim Parkin has also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting another image by Byrne of a tree in front of Rugeley Power Station is also a montage.

Parkin later updated his blog post with a statement from Byrne confirming his disqualification as winner of the Landscape Photographer of the Year 2012 Awards:

“I have to inform you after a conversation with Charlie Waite I have been disqualified from the Landscape Photographer of the year awards, unfortunately I didn’t read the regulations and certain editing like adding clouds and cloning out small details are not allowed, while I don’t think what I have done to the photo is wrong in any way, I do understand it’s against the regulations so accept the decision whole heartily.

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