Each year, the competition seems to have its own distinct character. We can never predict what sort of pictures will come in or what their style or feel will be. This year was no exception. In other words, we really make it up as we go along!

1999 brought 30 very varied shots. There were no junior entries and humour was less evident than usual - not, I hope, evidence of a new-found seriousness! We decided on a winning group of five pictures, all of which were strong on "atmosphere". Now, if experience is what you get if you don't get what you want, atmosphere characterises a picture if it's not about anything in particular.

A family coming ashore on Ullswater where you can almost feel the early-summer sunshine; a Coaster taking the ground itching for the off, big sky with small Drascombe reflected in the sunset; boats slowly making their way up what might be the Amazon; one of those utterly still, murky days with nothing to break the surface of the water. These are our prizewinning photos.

In the end we decided to award Best Picture to Richard Winter's shot of Drascombes on the Brecon-Monmouth canal because of the delightful feel of a most unusual Drascombe perspective. Congratulations Richard ... but where are the wimmin'? In announcing the Runner-Up, I regret to report a faint whiff of sleaze. Did the fact that Tony Hill's picture featured on their widely-circulated Christmas card influence the judgement of the panel'? We decided not, but will refer the matter to the Drascombe Standards Committee.