The winners of our 2012 Canal Festival photography competition in partnership with Manchester Photographic, Fuji and Hahnemuhle have been revealed.

The competition sought the best, visually stunning images taken during Manchester Photographic’s summer Urban Canal course, launched to celebrate the Canal Festival’s arrival in Manchester’s Piccadilly Basin for the first time.

The best images were judged by leading photographers with a Manchester connection; Andy Fallon, Ian Tilton and Mike Rampton. 

Entries were judged against originality, interpretation of the theme, visual impact and technical proficiency.

The fantastic winning entry by David Loydon, entitled Iron Skeleton, is a beautiful and striking view of Manchester’s canal-side heritage, and can be seen as a large scale portrait in a free public exhibition at Manchester Photographic’s Dale Street Gallery from Saturday 18 – 26 August.

The exhibition will feature a projection reel of all 400 entries to the competition, as well as the top 10 images and brilliant winning photograph in print.

The top 40 images will also be projected on the big screen as part of two, free outdoor movie nights at Ducie St car park in Piccadilly Basin on Wednesday 22 (Captain America) and Thursday 23 August (The Life Aquatic) from 6pm.

The winner also receives a photography masterclass and new Fuji camera.

View a photo reel of the inspiring winning shots.

Gallery Address and Opening Times for the free exhibition (18- 26 August)

Manchester Photographic Gallery, School and Studio
45 Dale Street, Manchester, M1 2HF
0161 236 7224

Open Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm

The competition celebrates CityCo’s Open City campaign, which seeks to promote Manchester as the UK’s most welcoming and accessible photography destination.