Capturing the capital

Lazing around in Hyde Park, shopping in Selfridges, relaxing in a pub garden, or having tea at the Ritz. What sums up the essence of London for you? When the BBC ran a competition asking viewers to capture their favourite parts through the eye of the lens, they were inundated with more than 1,000 ideas.

Now the winning pictures — alongside a selection of the 40 best entries, are on show at London’s Transport Museum, where the capital’s tattooists, buskers and city workers have been captured on film alongside atmospheric landscapes and more.

The photos were judged by a panel comprising international photographer Dennis Morris, Evening Standard Picture Editor David Ofield and Liz O’Sullivan, London Underground Arts and Events Manager.

The winning picture of Trafalgar Square was entered by Olu Adesanya, of Middlesex. The judges said they were impressed with its energy and felt it mirrored the feel of the city.

In the Under 16 category 10 year-old Niamh McLaughlin, of London EC1, picked up the top prize for her photo of two schoolgirls hugging, entitled ‘Esther and Priscilla’. "As soon as you look it makes you smile," said the judges.