Our picture editor Leah McLaren takes her pick of the week’s best photographs and tells us why she reckons they make the grade

The chalking of the white horse in Uffington always makes great aerial pictures but in this case (above) we had our snapper Damian Halliwell on foot. He took a different view point as low to the ground as possible and shot this vibrant family picture of volunteers Alec Buck and his sons Eddie, left, and Frank, right, crushing chalk into the surface of the white horse. I like the composition and lighting but I also like how relaxed the family are and it really shows in their natural smiles and poses.

 

Oxford Mail:

Andrew Walmsley has provided the most staged picture of the week but I love it! Gary Gibson has built a 5ft 6in Dalek which will go on display at the Phoenix Picture House today (Saturday) ahead of the new screening of Dr Who to raise money for Cancer Research. The girly pink Dalek named Davina is pictured chasing (left to right) Ben McSeoin, Gary Gibson, Sophie Wilson and Michael Luciw down the street. Andrew has used some nice off camera flash to highlight Davina the Dalek and also add a bit of drama to the street scene. Great job!

Oxford Mail:

The great thing about being a press photographer is that you get to see so many things and go into many places that the public don’t. Ryan Cowan has captured a lovely moment here between the Greyfriars who have just moved into their new home at East Oxford Friary. Friars, left to right, Daniel Geary, Aidan Walsch, Colin Mary and James Mary are all enjoying a chat amongst themselves, making you feel like you’re peeping in and giving a feeling that the friars don’t even know he is there. A really lovely picture emphasised by the natural light coming in.

Oxford Mail:

Jon Lewis was scrambled to reports of a fire while he was out and about on other jobs and he got a great vantage point of the haystack fire alongside Copperage Road between Farnborough and West Ilsley. Firefighters from Newbury were keeping a watch on the fire which destroyed 600 tonnes (approximately 1,000 bales).

Oxford Mail:

This picture didn’t half make me laugh when I saw it. I sent Jon Lewis to photograph a dance themed fun day for staff and residents at the King’s Centre. Lily Walden (pictured) was by far the best dressed in my opinion in her fabulous Charleston theme outfit. You’re never too old to have fun!

Oxford Mail:

Wacky racers! Ed Nix went to shoot a preview picture for this event, which involved making race cars out of junk. He had to pull out all the stops to make an interesting picture from a few pieces of scrap. It made sense to send him back for the event so he would come back with something different and he came back with a great set of pictures where he created the illusion of speed with a cracking zoom burst! This one shows Sebastian Trivella racing his car.

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