The photograph, taken by retired teacher Sophia Spurgin, beat more than 14,500 entries to claim the award, according to Digital Camera World.
At the award ceremony on March 15, she received £3,000 (US$4,000) in vouchers to spend on photographic equipment at LCE, the Amateur Photographer reported.
The photograph was displayed at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham through March 17. It captures a fisherman holding two fish up to his eyes, with a fishing net behind him.
Spurgin said she took the photo on a boat in Hoi An.
“I had been taking photos of this fisherman at work alongside a local photographer. This was the playful end of the photography session and a genuinely entertaining moment,” she said.
She added, “I especially like that his fishing net is visible in the background, adding context and authenticity to the image.”
“Fish Eyes.” Photo by Sophia Spurgin. |
Spurgin is a member of Bishop’s Stortford Camera Club, a photography club in the UK. She has also received awards from the Royal Photographic Society, one of the world’s oldest photographic societies. She often photographs everyday life and nature.
The LCE Photographer of the Year competition includes categories such as Action, After Dark, Birds, Creative, Events, Landscape, Macro, Portrait, Street, Travel and Wildlife. It also features an Emerging Talent award and a People’s Choice award.
“Fish Eyes” won the Travel category and the overall top prize. Spurgin also took first place in the Wildlife category with “Fighting Foxes in the Rain.”
LCE, a major photography equipment distributor in London, has organized the competition since 2024. It is open to all participants as a way to discover talent, encourage creativity and provide wider recognition for photographers.
This year’s competition, open from Oct. 15, 2025 to Jan. 21, 2026, drew 14,500 entries, with total prizes worth £10,000 (over US$13,000).
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