For World Photography Day, the AP team have each selected their favourite photographs taken this year

Thursday 19th August 2021 marks World Photography Day. World Photography Day celebrates photography and its influence in bringing people together across the world. To celebrate, the AP team have selected their favourite photograph taken this year and let you into the story behind it.

Nigel Atherton

Editor

@ameliehurley (spotlight.com)

“When the actress/dancer daughter of a family friend needed some pictures for her agency I saw an opportunity to try out some new kit on my first post-covid photo shoot, using my living room as a studio. This picture was taken using natural light from the large picture window, which I had flagged down to a soft, narrow strip by suspending a net curtain on a pole with black sheets either side. A Lastolite Tri-Flector was placed below Amelie’s face, just out of shot, and a Lastolite grey collapsible background behind. It was taken using a Nikon Z7 with the fabulously sharp 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.” (Model: Amelie Hurley @ameliehurley)

Nikon Z7, 24-70mm, 1/80sec f/5.6 ISO 1400

Geoff Harris

Deputy Editor (Print and Online)

Glastonbury Tor

“I am lucky enough to live in Glastonbury, so I have lots of images of the Tor – but this was the first time I got a decent reflection of it in the famous ‘Mists of Avalon.’ You need to get up early for this kind of image (as in 7am) but it’s worth it. Taken on the Leica CL with the excellent Sigma 56mm DC DN Contemporary lens.”

Leica CL, Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN at 56mm, 1/100sec at f/3.2, ISO 100

Andy Westlake

Technical Editor

Beckenham Place Park (false-colour infrared)

“On the rare occasions when I’m not out testing cameras, lenses or accessories, I still like to shoot with my own cameras for personal pleasure. One project I’ve had ongoing for almost eight years is working with an old Panasonic GF1 that I had converted to infrared, with a 720nm filter over the sensor that blocks all visible light.

For years I used this exclusively to produce monochrome images, but at the start of 2021 I began experimenting with channel-swapping the colour files, to create subtle false-colour interpretations. This is my favourite of the results so far. Shot at the end of January with trees still bare, it’s all about the sky and the high, swirly clouds. The colour toning is entirely aesthetic, with no basis in reality.”

Panasonic Lumix GF1 (720nm converted), 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 at 12mm, 1/200sec at f/6.3, ISO 200

Amy Davies

Features Editor

Devil’s Kitchen, Snowdonia 

“I took this picture in March, during a two week period when Welsh residents were able to travel freely around Wales, but we weren’t allowed into England (and English citizens weren’t allowed in here). As a result, areas like Snowdonia which are usually very busy with tourists were delightfully empty – I took the opportunity to be a bit selfish and enjoy the peace and quiet.

It was the furthest I’d travelled for a long time due to the strict lockdown restrictions, and it felt amazingly freeing to be out in the middle of nowhere just me and my camera (and of course, my dog). For me, photography has been a comfort and a healer during the past couple of years. It had helped me to get through periods of isolation in lockdown, and when I took this, it reminded me how much I loved to travel too.

It had been raining on the way over to the location, but as I pulled into the car park, the sun came out. As I hiked along the path, I turned around and saw this beautiful rainbow forming across the vista. It felt strangely surreal to be there on my own, and realising this opportunity might not ever present itself again, I made sure to take lots of shots to remember the day.”

Nikon Z7 II, 20mm at f/5.6, 1/500sec, ISO 100

Joshua Waller

Online Editor

“This was taken with the Panasonic Lumix GH5 Mark II, and was inspired by one of my children’s photos, which was very similar to this. He loves to try different angles, and this tree was particularly green, making it look like green jelly. It’s one of my favourite trees in the local park.”

Panasonic Lumix GH5 II, Leica DG 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 at 12mm, 1/60sec at f/2.8, ISO 500

See more of Joshua’s photos on Instagram at @joshwal

Jessica Miller

Online Editorial Assistant

“This year has already marked some big changes for me, in May we left our family home of nearly 25 years, and moved to near Alton, Hampshire. This photograph was taken on one of my walks around the new house, the public footpath goes straight through a local vineyard with views of the surrounding countryside, which is really idyllic. I love shooting on brighter clear days – when we get them!”

Pentax K-70, Pentax DA 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 at 88mm, 1/200sec at f/10, ISO 400

See more of Jessica’s work on Instagram @jessc.miller