Lymington man's Marrakesh snap lands on awards shortlist

A HOLIDAY image taken by a Lymington resident was shortlisted for a prestigious international photography competition.

William Bonett’s snap of the evening market at Jemma el-Fenaa Square in Marrakesh, Morocco, achieved a finalist commendation in the street food category of the Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year awards.

The competition celebrates the depiction of food within societies across the world. At the ceremony, held online, the street food accolade was awarded to an image of young girls eating while sitting at a kerbside in Vietnam.

William told the A&T he captured the image on a visit to Morocco three years ago, adding: “Marrakesh was a kaleidoscope of food, sound and culture. It’s such a vibrant, colourful country. The city itself was remarkable and truly a photographer’s dream.”

A structural and graphic designer by trade, Lymington Camera Club member William has honed his lifelong passion for photography since taking early retirement and relocating to the Forest two decades ago.

“I was simply extremely overjoyed with being nominated,” William added. “That’s because it is such a prime competition in world photography; I had great enjoyment preparing the image to the criteria they wanted, it gave me pleasure in doing it.”

Up to 10,000 images from across the world were submitted by professional and amateur photographers. They were whittled down to the best 800 before the final shortlists for a series of food categories were chosen.