Bronze in Exposure One Awards

Photography has a funny way of keeping you humble.

Most of the time it’s early alarms, long drives, empty memory cards, missed opportunities, bad weather forecasts, and standing in places wondering if you’ve completely lost your mind. Every now and then, though, something unexpected happens and one of those moments finds its way further than you ever imagined.

I'm incredibly grateful to have received a Bronze Award in the Abstract category at the 2026 Exposure One Awards for my image Ascension. (Also nominated for my 2nd Image "Appararition" below).

The competition attracted entries from 82 countries, making it one of the most geographically diverse editions in the contest’s history. To have my work recognised amongst photographers from around the world is something I genuinely don't take for granted.

What makes this image particularly special to me is its simplicity. It isn't a grand landscape, a dramatic wildlife encounter, or a technically complex photograph. It's a study of form, texture, light and pattern. A reminder that interesting photographs can often be found in the details we walk past every day.

Awards are never the reason I pick up a camera, but they do provide something valuable: reassurance. Reassurance that the countless hours spent learning, failing, experimenting and occasionally getting things right are worth it. They encourage you to keep pushing, keep exploring and keep looking at familiar subjects in new ways.

I'm thankful to the judges for their time and consideration, and to everyone who has supported my photography over the years—whether you've followed along online, purchased a print, shared advice, or simply stopped to say something kind about an image.

The older I get, the more I realise photography isn't really about collecting awards. It's about staying curious. It's about paying attention. It's about finding beauty in places where most people wouldn't think to look.

For now, I'll take a moment to appreciate this one before heading back out to make more mistakes and hopefully a few more photographs.

Thank you.

Dave Sanderson Ascension — Bronze Award, Abstract Category 2026 Exposure One Awards