A Birmingham woman scooped The Cube Photographer of the Year title, just six months after buying her first camera.
Fay Loewy, from Buckland End, took up photography a year ago using her smart phone, but only bought a camera in April of this year, joining the IGers Birmingham photographic group.
The 34-year-old PA’s shot of a cyclist riding through The Cube’s reflection in a puddle was selected as the top image in the iconic building’s competition, which was sponsored by restaurant Osteria Rodizio Rico.
Judges Marcus Queensborough of the Birmingham Mail, Saranne Moreno from Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity and 2016 Cube Photographer of the Year Daniel Sturley assessed the 12 finalists’ photos for impact, creativity and technical skill.
Winner of the competition’s Young Photographer of the Year title was 17-year-old student Oliver Kuklovsky from Handsworth, whose picture of the top of The Cube was praised by all judges for its technical expertise and composition.
Doug Wattleworth, senior building manager of The Cube, said: “The quality of photographs submitted this year was extraordinary. We are always surprised by how differently each photographer views The Cube, and the variety of interpretations of the building gave our judges a real challenge this year.
“The winning photo by Fay is a very interesting and creative shot, showing how the unmistakeable design of The Cube can be seen from all over the city, sometimes even when you are not expecting to see the building.”
Each winner received an engraved glass trophy and a meal for four people at Osteria Rodizio Rico, The Cube’s newest restaurant brand.
The Cube is home to Hotel Indigo and restaurants Rodizio Rico and its new stablemate Osteria, Madeleine coffee shop, Shogun Teppan-yaki, Bardolino and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse and Grill, as well as offices and apartments.