Picture credit: Rosanna Castrini
Rosanna, who works as a garden designer in Italy, beat 18,000 entries to the title in a competition open to amateur and professional photographers.
She triumphed with a photo called ‘My Prairie Garden’, which documents a newly laid flowerbed outside her home in Bricherasio, northern Italy.
Rosanna told Amateur Photographer she was stunned to hear the news of her win from contest organisers.
‘It was hard to believe that an Italian beginner could emerge among renowned professionals,’ she said.
‘It’s a fairytale… from a small village in Piedmont to the limelight.’
Competition judge Andrew Lawson said: ‘To me, this picture is as close to perfection as you can get.
‘I love the contrasting shapes and textures of the three types of flower. All the plants are in perfect condition.
‘The photographer has recognised a very skilful piece of planting and has made a straightforward rendering of it, in lovely light and with no tricks.’
Rosanna said she chose fast-growing plants and that she likes ‘informal, flowing effects’.
The best images are on show at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey, until 30 March.
To view all the winning images visit www.igpoty.com
- A feature article about this year’s competition will appear in AP 1 March
Rosanna at Kew Gardens with her winning image
