Portrait of Bletchley code breaker among winning photographs

Vanessa PearceWest Midlands

Portrait of Britain/Karsten Thormaehlen A head and shoulders portrait of Charlotte — This image of Bletchley Park code breaker Betty Webb was chosen as a winner in the Portrait of Britain Awards.

A portrait of a decorated Worcestershire code breaker is among the winners of a major photography competition.

The image of Charlotte “Betty” Webb is one of 100 to be chosen by the British Journal of Photography for its Portrait of Britain Awards.

Photographer Karsten Thomaehlen said she had photographed the former Bletchley Park worker at her home in Wythall before her death, aged 101, in 2025.

The winning images are set to be displayed on outdoor screens across the country.

Among others in the list, Lloyd Wright said he had taken his winning image of factory-worker Lisa in Smethwick.

“She seemed surprised,” he said, “but I loved the way she held herself”.

“Her look felt timeless in the old factory, one of the few workers wearing the traditional machinist jackets and doing so with an ease that felt so natural.”

This image of Lisa was captured as she worked in a Smethwick factory

Portrait of Britain/Lloyd Wright Lisa looks ahead, side-on to the camera. She has short dark hair and is wearing a blue top and blue overalls, bearing the name Brooks. — This image of Lisa was captured as she worked in a Smethwick factory

Anupama Gamanagari said she had photographed her mother who had moved to the UK over 20 years ago.

The 77-year-old, a mother and grandmother, “carries the weight of migration with grace,” she said.

The portrait, taken on a walk in the Staffordshire countryside, “sits at the intersection of memory, resilience and home,” she added.

“She’s not a visitor in this landscape, she belongs here.”

Anupama Gamanagari’s portrait of her mother is entitled 77 Years Young

Portrait of Britain/Anupama Gamanagari Anupama Gamanagari's mother stands in the Staffordshire countryside. She is wearing a purple, white and green fleece with the black hood up. She is also wearing jeans and stands amid greenery in front of trees. — Anupama Gamanagari’s portrait of her mother is entitled 77 Years Young

Worcestershire-based photographer John Boaz said his portrait of Western rider and model Benjamin was part of a project to capture images showing the diversity of Christianity in Britain.

A portrait of Western rider and model Benjamin was another of the winners

Portrait of Britain/John Boaz Model Benjamin wears a stetson hat, light brown jumper and coat, with a darker collar. He has a moustache. — A portrait of Western rider and model Benjamin was another of the winners

All 200 shortlisted images will feature in volume eight of the Portrait of Britain book series.

The 100 winning photographs will go on display on digital advertising screens located in high streets, shopping centres and transport hubs across the country.

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