Ryan Matcham was surprised to find he'd submitted the winning shot in the Bermuda Society of Arts Members' Photographic Show last month.

The amateur photographer received both the People's Choice and Juror's First Choice awards for his works, 'Walking on Broken Glass' and 'Solitary Confinement'.

"This was the first time that I have displayed my work and I really didn't know what to expect. To win the Juror's First Choice and the People's Choice Award was just a fantastic feeling.

"'Solitary Confinement' is definitely an abstract shot, and quite honestly I didn't believe that it would receive this sort of response, but I am thrilled with the positive feedback from the public. It really is an honour."

Said BSoA director Lesley Rego: "This is the first time he has ever exhibited his work, and we are hoping he will have his own show at BSoA in the future."

Inspiration for 'Solitary Confinement' came from a Dockyard prison, he said.

"As I mentioned before, I try and appreciate the things that we may take for granted. In this case, the shot was taken at the old Casemates Prison outside one of the solitary confinement cells.

"Everything [in the prison] had been abandoned for a while and nature had time to create a masterpiece. I really didn't create it, just appreciated it and captured it before it was destroyed."

Mr. Matcham is the son of photographer Peter Matcham.

"I have always enjoyed being behind a camera, and I'm not the first in my family," he said. "[But] it has always been a hobby and nothing more.

"I don't carry the camera as much as I should, and the best shots always appear when you don't have it with you.

"I should just take a minute to thank my girlfriend Lindsay Botelho who convinced me to enter the pieces into the show. She always loves my shots and encouraged me to put them out there to be seen. So thank you Linz!"

'Onward to Charleston' by Jolene Bean was named Best in Show. Juror's Choice Awards also went to 'Ethan's Find' by Anita Belvin and 'I See You' by Jai Swan.