In the frame for success

Carl Jeffers, from New Longton, was given the accolade by judges of the Open Portraits category of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.

The 28-year-old graphic designer entered with a photograph of his fiance Christine Mitti, which was taken near Avenham Park, Preston.

Carl said: “It’s pretty crazy, it’s still not sunk in properly. It’s been a very exciting week, having got engaged to Chrissy on Monday as well.”

Carl entered the competition last year and said he forgot about it until being notified he’d made the shortlist in January.

He said: “At the time as I was looking through pictures I’d taken and I saw something about the awards. I thought I’d enter because you never know what can happen.

“I submitted a few portraits and some architecture shots from Naples, then I didn’t think too much about it, I forgot about it.”

Carl said the shot which impressed the judges is one of his personal favourites.

He said: “Me and Chrissy found a black wall on the outskirts of Preston town centre, which created the perfect backdrop.

“It was taken late into the afternoon when the sun was low and cast a beautiful warm glow as it broke between clouds. It illuminated her hair like a crown, and as she was already dressed in black it created the perfect opportunity for a powerful portrait.”

Carl said his style is based on simplicity.

He added: “I do things very cleanly, minimally. My thing is to have as little competition for the viewer’s attention as possible. I want people to look at a photo and it to evoke an emotion.”

The former Priory Technology College pupil uses an entry-level Sony A58 camera he bought two years ago and methods he picked up from Youtube.

He said: “I’ve always been interested in photography and I did a bit of it at college, but then I forgot about it.

“Then doing a nine-to-five job I wanted to do something more free and photography is an instant outlet. I’m still an amateur and I’ve never had any big commissions, but I’m excited for the future.”