Two pictures taken by a Harpenden-based photographer have made the final of the national Image of the Year competition.

The photographs taken by Steve Collins are two of 10 stills shortlisted for The Guild of Photographers' urban genre award, with the winner set to be announced at an Awards Gala Evening on February 3.

During 2023 the competition attracted around 12,000 entries from a variety of genres.

Herts Advertiser:  a person waiting to catch the 321 bus home on a rainy night. a person waiting to catch the 321 bus home on a rainy night. (Image: Steve Collins Photography)

Steve's images show chef Mehmet Berhan Aksahin preparing for the evening service at Harpenden's Tabure restaurant, and a person waiting to catch the 321 bus home on a rainy night at the bus stop outside Pizza Express.

Steve, who is chair of Harpenden Photographic Society, said “I was thrilled earlier this year that these two Harpenden-based images were awarded Gold by The Guild of Photographers in their Image of the Month competition.

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"Now that they have been shortlisted for the overall final, from the many thousands submitted across whole year, is on a whole different level.

"I couldn’t believe it when I found out!”

Guild director Lesley Thirsk added: "To have an image recognised by the Guild in the monthly competition is difficult enough, so to have two images selected as being two of the best in a category for the end of year final is without doubt an incredible achievement, and shows just how talented a photographer Steve is."