Ever present on my list of must-sees, Landscape Photographer of the Year continues to be a huge source of inspiration in terms of standards and fuelling ones wanderlust. It rarely fails to disappoint and this year is no exception.
But this year it was the increasingly creative approaches being taken to the subject that stuck with me; conscious attempts to break away from the more norms of landscape photography.
Personal highlights included Rachael Talibart's Maelstrom - the winner of The Sunday Times Magazine Award. Her shot of Storm Imogen off the coast of Newhaven has such a vivid sense of drama and presence you'd be forgiven for thinking she captured it from a boat on the water.
Damian Ward won the Adobe Prize with a seascape; the long exposure of the incoming waves and the zig-zagging lead-in lines created by the wooden groynes offers a more traditional shot. In the Classic View category, Mirek Galagus' imposing shot of the lighthouse at Beachy Head warranted recognition on the efforts of the photographer alone; he was standing waist deep in the sea, fighting off waves to capture this image.
I always enjoy being pleasantly surprised by photographs I would not have first thought to be appealing and this year the honour goes to Finbarr Fallon's shot of Battersea power station. It's a foggy, industrial scene in black and white, with a bleakness reminiscent of a Lowry painting. The composition, timing, and repeated attempts by Fallon in returning to the same spot time and again waiting for the right conditions is something all landscape photographers can respect.
One observation of this competition is the preponderance of shots taken in Scotland and the north of England. While this is to be expected, it would perhaps be refreshing to see greater representation from different parts of the UK. The diversity of the categories should continue to be encouraged to allow for such opportunities.
Landscape Photographer of the Year is celebrating its tenth anniversary - and its third year at its new home at Waterloo. While I'm not sure I will ever be convinced that a train station is the best location for an exhibition, it does mean that it is easier than ever to visit. And that is a definite plus for one of the best photography competitions of the year.
Landscape Photographer of the Year 2016 is currently on at London Waterloo station and runs until 5th February 2017. Admission is free.