Ian Fairbrother from the Wirral has won the climate change category of Photographer of the Year for 2026. His photo of New Brighton Lighthouse was judged “stunning” by the 5 judges.
Ian said; “As the climate seems to be heating up and we are getting warmer weather I thought it was right to capture the sunset during our recent heatwave and with the wind turbines beyond. It shows the old and the new coexisting and keeping us safe on climate concerns.”
Judges’ commented: “This image looks stunning. The careful choice of camera position where the sun almost appears to be powering the lighthouse alludes to the change in dynamics, from our fear of the power of the waves to take lives in the past, to our embracing of the power of nature in the wind, waves and sun, to transform our lives in the future. We can just see the wind turbines in the background and it doesn’t take away from this view showing that they have little impact to beautiful scenery like this. Visually striking and emotionally engaging.”