Liverpool Photographer wins ‘Best Photograph’ in national awards

Clear Channel last night announced the winner of this year’s MyTown street photography competition.

“Do Not Feed The Gulls” taken by Liverpool photographer Andy Allchurch on the Pier Head beat over 2,100 other entries to be crowned the 2018 winner.

Judge Ronya Galka said, “Do Not Feed The Gulls was the obvious winner for us – it’s one of those unique candid moments, which you could never plan or re-create as much as you tried, capturing a slice of British life that we all recognise – the perfect embodiment of what the ‘My Town’ competition is all about.”

Speaking of his win, Andy says “It’s all a bit surreal, but it’s amazing to have won. My intention was just to get a photograph of the man who looked slightly strange feeding these seagulls so much bread. As I went to take the photo the seagull flew past his face, with its faced stuffed. In all honesty, it was a complete fluke, which is an aspect I really like about street photography. But it’s a beautiful fluke! I love that the image is a bit of fun too – kind of channelling that Scouser sense of humour.”

“I think it’s great that Clear Channel runs the MyTown event. I actually was inspired to enter after I saw some of the other entries on the screens. It’s a fantastic idea to actually have the exhibition displayed right there on the street.”

Clear Channel’s Marketing Director Martin Corke, who announced the winner, says “This year’s shortlist beautifully highlights the how unique and diverse our Isle is. I’m really proud that we can use the power of Out of Home to show off so many wonderful images.”

As well as being showcased across Clear Channel’s Digital Out of Home network of over 3000 screens, including across Merseyside, Andy receives a FujifilmX100F premium compact camera, and a UK city break of his choosing.

This year’s broad MyTown shortlist is made up of entries from across the UK and highlights the juxtaposed lives of society in modern Britain. View the full shortlist here.