Ride Velo were lucky enough to be invited to Brompton’s classy flagship store in Covent Garden on Thursday for the launch of their Unseen City photography exhibition. Displaying some of the best of urban photography, it showcases finalists and runners up from a competition launched last year that encouraged Brompton riders to portray the hidden and unseen gems of city life from around the world.
It generated more than 4,000 entries from about 40 different countries. While London features strongly as a photogenic city, there are pictures from North and South America and Asia as well as Europe, confirming that this iconic brand of folding bike has reached all four corners of the globe.
Judge Dave Burt announces the winner
The winner was @dididd who captured this picture of Yueh Hai Ching Temple in Singapore. Judge Dave Burt who founded @London Instagram channel chose it because, “I love the fact the Brompton took him there and the composition is perfect. The tones of the photo draw you in - it makes you want to explore the beauty of the temple.”
@dididd's photograph of Yueh Hai Ching Temple in Singapore
The judges also have some of their own work on display. Rich McCor describes himself as a “non-destructive vandal within the confines of a camera viewfinder.” He transforms landmarks with bits of crafted black paper and then captures the moment in a photograph. His work includes skylines of New York and Hong Kong. The third specialist judge was Raquel Sanchez Silva, the journalist, writer and Spanish TV presenter.
Rich McCor: “A non-destructive vandal within the confines of a camera viewfinder"
The winner receives a much sought after Black Edition Brompton Bike, one of which was in display at their store. Retaining the classic frame of the iconic Brompton it features a number of key components in black rather than the usual silver, giving us the possibility of owning an all-black Brompton. City life at night was the inspiration behind it and the result is a matt black version mixed with pops of bright colour, as well as the full black effect.
As well as admiring the stunning photography on show, visiting the exhibition gives everyone a chance to explore the Brompton store which is like an art gallery in itself. Dozens of folded Brompton’s are displayed in square display cases which highlight the aesthetics of what has become an iconic British brand alongside the likes of the Mini Cooper and Burberry.
Brompton Junction is like an art gallery in itself
Will Butler-Adams, CEO of Brompton said that the competition “has given Brompton owners, photographers and anyone who lives in a city the chance to explore new places and share them with the world.”
The Black edition
You can visit the exhibition at Brompton Junction, 76 Long Acre, London WC2 9JS from 2nd to 16th February.
