Photography Exhibition 2026

Colour Category: Matthew Cooper

“A fleeting moment of exquisite harmony. The woman in a beautiful coat walks away through the luminous hush of the Quire, her figure dissolving into pools of light. Beside her, the model of the ceiling boss and candle in the flowers happen to echo the colour of her coat with almost uncanny precision — as though the scene itself has conspired to place her there. There is something wonderfully cinematic about the image. The solitude of the lit figure, the rhythm of the aisle, the softness of the light and that unexpected meeting of colour. Nothing feels staged, yet everything feels perfectly composed. A beautifully observed photograph that transforms an ordinary passing moment into something quietly magical.”

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Black & White Category: Graham Honeywill

“This remarkable image captures something far greater than the beauty of Exeter Cathedral; it captures its spirit. At its heart stands the cathedral’s magnificent organ, its intricate detail and imposing presence drawing the eye deep into the image. Above it, the resplendent Quire ceiling seems to unfold into infinity, while shafts of natural light pour through the ancient building, creating a breathtaking dialogue between illumination and shadow. The newly installed lights add another dimension, delicately revealing the Cathedra, the Bishop’s throne and illuminating the finely crafted chorister stalls. The composition is masterful. Every line, arch and architectural detail seems to lead the eye onwards, inviting the viewer to explore rather than simply observe. The monochrome treatment is particularly powerful: stripped of colour, the image becomes a study in light itself. Its intensity, its softness, its movement, and the shadows it leaves behind. It gives the ancient architecture and craftsmanship a timeless quality, allowing texture and form to speak with extraordinary clarity. And light is, after all, one of the great storytellers of a Cathedral. It changes with the passing hours: soft and tentative in the morning, brighter and more purposeful as the day unfolds, then gradually fading into the quieter tones of evening. Within a building that has witnessed centuries of worship, celebration, sorrow and contemplation, that ever-changing light feels almost spiritual. This photograph succeeds because it does not merely record a magnificent interior, it makes us feel it. There is grandeur here, certainly, but also stillness, reverence and wonder. The extraordinary level of detail rewards close inspection, while the sweeping composition gives the viewer a sense of being drawn into the very soul of the Cathedral. For me, this is what makes the image the outstanding winner. It demonstrates exceptional photographic skill, but more importantly, it communicates something profound. It transforms architecture into atmosphere, light into emotion, and an historic place into a living spiritual experience. A truly magnificent photograph. Timeless, contemplative and utterly deserving of first place.”

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Junior Category: Isabel Wood

“An extraordinary meeting of architecture and human perception. The magnificent West Front Window of Exeter Cathedral is captured not simply as something to be seen, but reflected within the eye of the person looking upon it. The intimate close-up transforms a familiar architectural detail into something wonderfully unexpected, creating a powerful dialogue between the Cathedral and the observer. The intricate tracery of the window held within the eye becomes a beautiful metaphor for memory, wonder and the act of seeing itself. A highly imaginative and original image, demonstrating remarkable creativity and a sophisticated understanding of perspective. A striking and memorable Junior Category Winner.”