This is the photograph which has taken the top prize in a new competition celebrating Carlisle’s buildings.
It is a quirky photo of the Boardroom pub and was taken by Carlisle-born Ben Fox who has recently discovered a passion for street photography after a career in video.
Ben said: “I’m so glad I saw this competition and am so grateful to the judges. Taking part in something like this fires you up and you start seeing things in a different light.
“I loved the asymmetry of the Boardroom, the imperfections of it make it perfect. The wonky pole and sign cropped into each other. The woman stepped out at that moment and the shot fell into the place.”
Ben didn’t have his camera on him at the time so took it on his mobile phone and encourages others to do the same.
“I’ve only got into photography recently, now I’m always out snapping, capturing the world and meeting new people through street photography. The best camera you’ve got is just the one you’ve got with you.”
The competition, Beautiful Bricks, was launched by Wragg Mark-Bell and invited people to capture the spirit of Carlisle through its architecture.
Entries showcasing everything including the city’s emblematic cathedral, hidden alleyways, the arches of English Damside, back streets, industrial buildings, rusty gates, a giant mural, and the bricks of the Roman bathhouse.
Ben scooped the £150 first prize and his shot is now on display along with other shortlisted photographs at the pop-up gallery at Intro on Paternoster Row where invited guests will be able to view them until Saturday. It is open 11am to 3pm.
Judge David Hollins, said: “It’s so difficult to capture humour in a photo, but Ben’s photo has caught a really whimsical side of pub life. The way the lamppost is leaning and the sign looks like it’s been drinking captures the pub atmosphere perfectly.
“It’s a clever, joyful image that makes you smile and the judges votes were unanimous.”
The prize for second place, taking £100 was won by Lucy Peart with a photograph of shadows on Carlisle train station’s wall.
Inspired by her daughter, Charlotte, who is doing GCSE photography, Lucy started a photography course online earlier this year.
“Charlotte inspired me. I was so impressed with how good her photos were that I wanted to give it a go myself.”
Now, a member of staff at Carlisle train station, who was at the opening night of the exhibition, has seen Lucy’s competition entry and wants to enlarge it and display it at the station.
“It’s absolutely brilliant – if it is displayed, so many people will see my photograph at the station. This competition has given me food for thought to see where I can go with my photography.”
Third place and £75 was won by 18-year-old student Joshua Taylor, who has just finished his A-levels. He captured the judges’ attention with a photo of the castle gatehouse.
Beautiful Bricks was launched by the conveyancing team at Wragg Mark-Bell, who deal with the buying and selling of local properties.
The judges were Laura Urquhart, conveyancing director at Wragg Mark-Bell, Carlisle based professional photographer and artist David and Malcom Wilson, director of city firm Blackbox Architects, which also sponsored the second prize.
Laura said: “The aim of our competition was to capture the spirit of Carlisle through its architecture, and it has certainly done that.
“We are delighted by the creativity and talent of the photographers who entered. There are obviously many people who value and love Carlisle’s architecture as much as we do.”
