Derry man wins top award at world's largest photography competition

A Derry man has won first prize at the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards - the world's largest photography competition.
Bernard Ward's winning photograph, 'Bogside Bonfire'.Bernard Ward's winning photograph, 'Bogside Bonfire'.
Bernard Ward's winning photograph, 'Bogside Bonfire'.

Bernard Ward, 34, was honoured by a global judging panel for ‘Bogside Bonfire’ which was named best photo in Ireland for 2017.

Bernard, who is owner of photography business, Derry Photos, will collect his award at a black tie event in London next month.

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“The Sony World Photography awards is the biggest photography competition in the world and I am so overwhelmed to have been selected as a winner,” said Bernard.

“This is a huge milestone in my photography career.

“To win such an award like this especially in the Ireland category is such an honour and a dream come true for me.

“I enter the Sony World Photography awards every year and I have always dreamed of winning such a prestigious award.

“This award means everything and makes all the years of hard work in photography worth while.

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“Photography is a passion and to be recognised on a world stage alongside some of the top photographers in the world is overwhelming.”

Sony, award sponsors, are flying Bernard to London to attend the glittering gala black-tie awards ceremony on April 20.

As well as putting him up in a 5 star hotel in London, he also wins a state of the art Sony a7 II ILCE-7M2 full frame mirrorless camera.

Bernard’s winning entry ‘Bogside Bonfire’ will go on display at the World Photography Organisation exhibition at Somerset House in London from April 21 to May 7.

To see more of Bernard’s photos visit his website DerryPhotos.com