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Every one captures something of the essence of what hunting means to each of us. The range illustrates the glorious diversity of experience, activity, people, animals and landscapes encompassed by the term ‘hunting’ and each delivered, to our offices, some element of personal insight from our readers’ worlds into our own.
Selecting a winner was hard. We had to go through a mental checklist of composition, definition, light and subject matter but the shortlisting process was influenced as much by gut reaction to a shot when it was put on the table. Some simply stood out and drew instant admiration.
We must give special mention to some very high-grade entries from Steven Zaff, James Pettley, Adam Tilson, Lars Jorgen Hage, Erik Ostergaard, Silvio Calabi, Marcus Iddon, Gunnar Selenius, Randle Panfilio, Tim Holland, Lance Luffingham and Eddy Pauley.
Gentlemen, on another day you could easily have won a prize.
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- Lance Luffingham
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- Lars Jørgen Hage
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- Silvio Calabi
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- Steven Zeff
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- James Pettley
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- Eddy Pauley
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- Randle Panfilio
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- Tim Holland
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- Erik Østergaard
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- Marcus Iddon
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- Adam Tilson
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- Gunnar Selenius
However, today we have to say; “close but no cigar”. Although the cigar is actually a beautiful Explora rucksack in limited edition walnut suede, worth several boxes of Cubans!
We selected four entries for the Runner-Up category. Each will soon receive a copy of ‘Westley Richards; In Pursuit of the Best Gun’, dedicated and signed by our Managing Director, Trigger.
They are:
Gregory R. Stone, for his hauntingly composed image of a ram skull in a bleak mountain setting, with his guide looking on.
Gregory R Stone - "The skull is from a Marco Polo sheep I took last year along with one of the camp helpers. This was at the permanent camp at 12,500 feet above sea level in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan."James Norfolk, for his fresh shot of a crisp morning with the fruits of a successful stalk being hauled home.
James Norfolk - "Sunrise stalking. Retrieving a muntjac back across a field with faithful companion. A beautiful way to start a day. Location, West Wycombe Park."Erik Karlsson, for his intimate shot of a labrador handing over a freshly-shot cock pheasant, in the snow.
Erik Karlsson - "A day of walked up pheasants in Kungsbacka, Sweden. The bird was shot with at 1912 hand detachable lock, single trigger Westley Richards."Axel Barchan, for his charming and beautifully sharp portrait of a pair of lionesses surveying the ground from a vantage point.
Axel Barchan - "The photo was taken in southern Serengeti, quite close to the border between Tanzania and Kenya last autumn during the dry season. The two lions had found a small hill in the otherwise dry and flat Serengeti and were on the lookout for any potential prey."Any of these entries could have won the top prize but that has, in fact, gone to James de Penning for his beautifully composed and clear shot of a line of guns in a foggy valley awaiting the first pheasant of the last drive to clear the trees.
James de Penning - "Bradley Wood Shoot, Hampshire. A stand one, beat one syndicate of local friends. Final drive on a foggy day, but still a decent bag of 82. Proper sport, with bird's being heard before seen."The composition of the scene, the achievement of creating both atmosphere and detail in difficult photographic conditions and the timeless sense of place and purpose made this the winner, in our view.
Congratulations James, You will soon receive your very own Explora Deluxe Rucksack in walnut suede, made in-house in our Birmingham factory. This limited edition is available for 2024 only, so it really is something special.
To take part in future competitions and to reap the rewards of membership like a 10% off your next retail purchase and free worldwide delivery, join the Westley Richards Explora Club free by clicking here.
The Explora Blog is the world’s premier online journal for field sports enthusiasts, outdoor adventurers, conservationists and admirers of bespoke gunmaking, fine leather goods and timeless safari clothes. Each month Westley Richards publishes up to 8 blog posts on a range of topics with an avid readership totalling 500,000+ page views per year.
Blog post topics include: Finished custom rifles and bespoke guns leaving the Westley Richards factory; examples of heritage firearms with unique designs and celebrated owners like James Sutherland and Frederick Courtenay Selous; the latest from the company pre-owned guns and rifles collection; interviews with the makers from the gun and leather factory; new season safari wear and country clothing; recent additions to our luxury travel bags and sporting leather goods range; time well spent out in the field; latest news in the sporting world; and key international conservation stories.
Pablo Nogués on March 28, 2024 at 10:55 pm
Congratulations to the winner , a exelent picture .