IN PICTURES: Royal Navy's "image makers" presented with photographic awards

The Awards presented by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, and BBC World Diplomatic Editor, Brian Hanrahan, recognise the high quality, eye-catching images taken by professional and amateur photographers in the Royal Navy.

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There are 15 classes of professional Award, each focusing upon particular techniques or subject areas, as well as an amateur competition.

The most prestigious award, the Peregrine Trophy, awarded to the photographic section submitting the best portfolio of six photographs depicting the Royal Navy at work over the last 12 months, was won by the team on HMS Illustrious with a portfolio of dramatic images from the flight deck.

The portfolio was photographed entirely by Petty Officer Airman (POA) Photographer Nigel Russell-Stevenson and captures the ship's Tailored Air Group (TAG), which includes the Merlin and Sea King helicopters and GR7a Joint Force Harrier.

POA (Phot) Russell-Stevenson also won the Best Equipment Award with his image of the two GR7a Harriers. He said:

"It's a good feeling to win. I only have three years left in the Navy and am leaving Illustrious to work as image analyst next, so it's good to finish work on ships on a high.

"I was a Weapons Engineer before becoming a photographer in 2000 and it's a lot more work being a photographer! It's especially sweet for me to win this category as I took all the pictures myself."

The Royal Naval Photographer of the Year Award was won by Petty Officer Air (POA) Photographer Sean Clee with a portfolio of four action-packed images taken while serving alongside 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines.

He photographed the Royal Marines up against the Taliban despite driving over an IED (improvised explosive device), suffering a shrapnel wound, and dodging regular rocket attacks. He said:

"It's brilliant to win. I've put a lot of hard work in this year and it's paid off. The money will come in handy too and I'll take my Mrs on a well deserved holiday for supporting me. I've been a photographer for six years and won a couple of minor awards in this competition before, but it feels great to win the big one."

Presenting the Awards, Admiral Band said:

"This competition reflects the diversity and variety of what the Royal Navy does. The relevance of images for the Royal Navy has never been greater. International Terrorism has raised the need for intelligence, and of course the photos we see today reflect the important role of supporting media operations, vital in showing the world that we are emphatically a force for good.

Navy photographers are our imager makers, who provide the British public with the view of the Royal Navy working around the world for them."

This year's judges were: Dean Kedward – Picture Editor Portsmouth News, Steven Hird – Reuters, and Al Campbell – Professional Photographer.

The Peregrine Trophy is sponsored by BAE Systems and the section wins £1,000. The Photographer of the Year Award is sponsored by Calumet Ltd with a prize of £1,000.

There are three Regional Photographic Units which deploy photographers to front-line operations, shore establishments worldwide, and Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.

Royal Navy photographers are professionally trained at the Defence School of Photography at RAF Cosford to conduct photography in support of intelligence, media operations, and public relations.

The Royal Navy uses the Nikon D1X and D2X digital camera.