Sydney-based photographer Adrian Cook has picked up the Best in Show in this year's Association of Photographers Open Awards with his image (above) capturing a familly enjoying the heat of summer.

The award was given last night at the AOP's gallery in Shoreditch in London, presented by the organisation's president, Simon Leach.

Photographer Martin Brent, one of the contest's judges, commented:

"I chose this image as Best in Show because it has a genuine honesty. It’s refreshing, a caught moment, the kind of moment that photography is all about. Emotion is conveyed, the kids are clearly having a great time, Mom (?) is relaxed and it’s an intimate family moment that we are allowed to share without feeling voyeuristic. When Kodak came up with the trademark catch phrase, 'a Kodak moment', I think this is what they had in mind.

"On a higher, more formal level, [Henri Cartier-] Bresson talks of 'the decisive moment'. This image was captured at that moment; everything is in balance and in tune, you need not see any further beyond, everything the viewer needs is there. The scene is well composed given its spontaneity, and technically it’s well-handled. I liked everything about this image, maybe it was constructed? If so then it fooled me, but still deserves the honour because it signals a breath of fresh air."

Cook shoots mostly for editorial and advertising clients, including Nike and Vanity Fair, and has previously picked up a Golden Lion at Cannes for his commercial work.

The Public Choice Award went to Luc Coiffait, a 21-year-old, London-based fashion photographer, for his black-and-white portrait titled Enchanted (below). The AOP says more than 2500 votes were cast, and that his image was the clear winner with nearly 20 percent of the total (462).

                                                 Enchanted (c) Luc Coiffait.

Both photographers receive a Wacom Intuous 4 tablet as part of the prize.

Their work, alongside the best shortlisted entries, is on show at the AOP Gallery until 09 September.