Keith Morgan

Photo: Included in Keith Morgan’s winning portfolio was this image taken when Royal Marines and soldiers took part in a military exercise on Gosport’s Browndown beach in January

Picture credit: Keith Morgan/Royal Navy

A 25-year-old from the Isle of Wight has landed the Royal Navy Photographer of the Year title just ten months into the job.

Speaking after the ceremony in Weybridge, Surrey, Leading Airman (Photographer) Keith Morgan said he had heard he was among this year?s winners, but was not expecting to scoop top place.

He told Amateur Photographer: ?I was completely shocked… I was expecting it to be the student category.?

Morgan, who turned professional last October, said he plans to spend his £1,000 prize money on a new camera.

Based at the Fleet Regional Photographic Unit (East) in Portsmouth, Morgan said he currently uses Nikon D2Xs and D3 DSLRs for his work.

The Royal Navy Peregrine Trophy Photographic Awards 2010 were hosted by the head of the Navy, First Sealord, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.

Stanhope told guests how photography plays a vital role in ensuring the Navy ?tells its story in a crisp and clear way? – as well as for planning military operations.

Much of the Navy?s intelligence work relies on image analysis.

Royal Navy head

Photo: Head of the Navy, Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope praised photographers, whose images are used for intelligence purposes, as well as in publicising the work of the Royal Navy

Picture credit: Chris Cheesman

Boxer by Simmo Simpson

Photo: The Royal Navy’s Ladies Boxing Champion prepares for a training session. This image was captured by Leading Airman (Photographer) Simmo Simpson, a member of the Fleet Regional Photographic Unit (East) which won the Peregrine Trophy 2010, a title awarded to the best section or unit

Picture credit: Simmo Simpson/Royal Navy