The winners and runners-up of the EEF Photography Awards 2012 have been unveiled at an exclusive ceremony at the House of Commons in London.
The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Made in Britain’ and entrants were challenged to submit photos that championed the spirit of manufacturing in Britain. Over 800 photos were submitted from across the country and 87 were shortlisted.
The winner of the professional category was Mike Smith’s ‘Precision’ (top right) a kaleidoscopic shot down self-contained hydrodynamic bearings, manufactured by Rolls Royce Michell in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. Runner-up was Ray Troll’s ‘Watching and Waiting’, (top middle) a shot of a BAE Systems’ all-British Unmanned Air System, expected to play a role in search and rescue work and disaster monitoring.
‘Manufacturing a Filter’ by Robert Watkins, of Warrington, won the amateur category: a black-and-white image of a welder applying the finishing touches to a filter at Crofts Engineering Services. Steve Watts’ photograph of the iconic Infinity Bridge in Stockton-on-Tees at sunset earned him the position of runner-up in the same category.
The young photographer category also produced many photographs showcasing not only the best of British manufacturing but also budding photographers. Tamika Morris’ photograph of the UK-manufactured golden Olympic Torch against a black-and-white audience was appropriately titled ‘2012 Icon’ and winner of the young photographer category. Runner-up was 
‘Moulding Chambers’ (top left) by Shane Butler, from Walsall, a snapshot of casting moulds made at Chamberlin and Hill which are used in 21st Century automotive and construction sectors.
Terry Scuoler, of the EEF, said: “Manufacturing is exciting and constantly evolving, and we are proud of all of our entrants who helped us redefine the public perception of manufacturing with their eclectic range of images.”
