Ireland’s best single photograph revealed by the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards

Our very own marketing manager Bernard Ward has just been awarded 1st place in the National awards for Ireland in the prestigious 2017 Sony world photography awards. Before starting in the marketing department with BubbleBum Bernard did all the lifestyle and product photography for BubbleBum. We are so proud to tell the world of his amazing achievement.

We have shared the official press release from Sony Ireland below.

Be sure to check out more of Bernard's photography work on his websites below.

www.DerryPhotos.com and www.bernardwardphotography.com

The judges of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards today announce the photograph “Bonfire Night 15^th August 2016 in Derry” by our very own marketing manager Bernard Ward, as the winner of Ireland’s National Award.

The Sony World Photography Awards is the world’s largest photography competition, and the National Awards is a global program open to photographers of all abilities. It aims to find the best single photograph taken a local photographer in 65 countries.

Bernard Ward’s winning image “Bonfire Night 15^th August 2016 in Derry” is a notable entry and winner this year due to its somewhat controversial view. Bonfires have been part of Catholic and Protestant cultures for generations, and they’ve come under much criticism since troubles have subsided. This such instance was captured in the Catholic/ republican Bogside area of Derry on the day of the bonfire. In the picture you can see lots of locals gathered to the left watching the youths of the Bogside build the bonfire made mostly of wooden pallets. In the foreground you see cars approaching. This bonfire stirred huge controversy as it blocked a public road.

Bernard Ward is 34 years old, a father of one from Derry in the Northwest of Ireland. He comes from a historic city which has seen amazing changes over the past 30 years, from horrific violence as part of "the troubles" in Ireland and Northern Ireland to the relatively normal and co-operative society today. He loves to document the streets of Derry and tell the story of his hometown, its history and culture through pictures. He works as a marketing manager but his dream is to become a full time photographer.

Commenting about his success, Bernard says: “To win such an award like this especially in the Ireland category is such an honour for me. I enter the Sony World Photography awards every year and I have always dreamed of winning such a prestigious award. Winning this award means everything to me and makes all the years of hard work in photography worthwhile. Photography is a passion and to win an award like this is overwhelming for me. I have always admired the level of talent every year across all categories and to be considered a winner is one of my biggest achievements to date.”