High Barnet photographer wins solo exhibition after competition win

A photograph capturing a quiet moment in a shop has earned High Barnet resident James Singler the top prize in Lauderdale House’s 37th Annual Photographic Competition. The image, titled *Break from the Shop*, was selected from 193 entries submitted by 46 photographers. Singler’s win includes a solo exhibition at Lauderdale House next year.

The competition’s winners were announced at an exhibition launch in July. Camden mayor Cllr Patricia Leman presented the prizes. Katherine Ives, director of Lauderdale House, praised the diversity of the entries, noting the range of perspectives and techniques on display.

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Judges and other winners

The judging panel included David Winskill, Becky Wood, and Steve Franck. Singler, a freelance photographer, writer, and teacher, received an Associate distinction from the Royal Photographic Society in 2025. His work stood out among submissions that explored themes of memory, family, and overlooked beauty.

Helen Ogleby, another Barnet resident, was named runner-up for her photograph *Strongman Family*. Ogleby took up photography to support her late husband, who was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy. Since his death in 2023, she has used photography as a way to cope and now volunteers for the MSA Trust and Parkinson’s UK.

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Paul Plummer, runner-up in the Open category, submitted *Flight*, an image comparing a raised Venetian blind to a pigeon’s wing. The competition also included a Young Photographers category, with 17-year-old Evie winning for *Breaking the Pattern*. Jonathan, also 17, and Lily, 15, were runners-up.

What happens next

Lauderdale House’s exhibition of winning and shortlisted photographs is now open to the public. The venue has not yet confirmed a closing date. Singler’s solo exhibition is scheduled for 2026, though exact dates remain unannounced. Residents can visit Lauderdale House to view the current display.

“It's always a pleasure to see the range and quality of work submitted to our Photography Competitions. This year's entries demonstrate a real variety of perspectives, techniques and subjects, and we'd like to thank everyone who took the time to enter.”

Katherine Ives, director of Lauderdale House