WINNER – ‘Photo, Shoot’ Photo Of The Year 2008

Since the final seven shortlist of photos in the running for Just Football’s ‘Photo, Shoot’ Photo of the Year award 2008 were announced just over two weeks ago, readers and photography enthusiasts have been busy voting for their favourite snap. Well, with the voting now closed, we can finally reveal the winner of this inaugural photography award. So here we are. Without further ado, I can now announce that the winner of the 2008 Photo, Shoot Photo of the Year is….

poity_uk’s photo depicting the scene at Parkhead in November 2008, just moments before kickoff in the ‘Battle of Britain’ Champions League clash between Celtic and Manchester United.

The picture brings together brilliantly all the qualities that make a good photo – contrast, focus, good use of light, effective use of colour, and marries all that with what, in layman’s terms, is basically a damn well captured scene.

The Celtic players huddle together in a moment of fired-up unity, rallying themselves in piqued anticipation of a tussle with the European champions. Behind them, a wall of green and white noise. The Celtic fans, who know well how to create a charged atmosphere when so inclined, stand collectively, scarves held high in the stand aptly named after Sir Alex Ferguson’s own mentor and inspiration; Celtic legend Jock Stein. The terrace an amalgam of passion, togetherness and expectancy.

And, in the blue corner, United. The few players in view – Giggs, Tevez, Fletcher, Carrick; all perform their own individual warm up ritual, all are lost in the depths of their own intense focus. The picture conjures up visions of ancient mythology, illusions of the Roman Empire. The United players are warriors, gladiators entering the daunting arena that is Celtic’s version of the Colosseum, matadors about to face the raging bull. Ryan Giggs meanwhile is an oasis of cool in the midst of impending chaos, casually going through a few last stretches. Its a great picture.

poity_uk is a regular contributor to the Just Football Flickr pool and has posted up several pics. If you get a moment take a glance through his photostream, because he really is a talented football photographer. The photo finished on top in the polls by a narrow margin in the end, clawing back dylanchubb’s picture of the Champions League final in Moscow to win with 29% of the votes to dylanchubb’s 25%. Both are impressive shots.

So poity_uk emerges a worthy winner and claims the inaugural ‘Photo, Shoot’ Photo of the Year award on Just Football. All that remains is to congratulate both poity_uk as the winner, and all those who have posted their best football pictures up on our Flickr group over the last year. We really appreciate it.

There are some truly excellent football snaps up there, and we look forward to expanding the pool into 2009 and beyond. If you are interested in football photography, do get yourself involved. Join the group, upload your best pics and who knows, perhaps this time next year we will be crowning one of your photos as winner. Well done poity_uk!

Awards, Glasgow Celtic, Manchester United, Photoshoot