For the third year in a row, the people of Watford will be able to view world-class photography on their doorstep as the Royal Photographic Society 2015 Members’ Biennial Exhibition comes to intu Watford.

But this year there is even more reason for locals to get excited – two of the entries are by Watfordians.

This year, more than 3,300 images were submitted for the prestigious competition open to RPS members from around the world, and 100 of these will be on display in Watford until March.

Among these is the silver medal winner, Marc Aspland Hon FRPS – a former Watford Observer staff photographer who is now The Times’ chief sports photographer – with his stunning portrait of gymnast Louis Smith.

“Louis is a joy to photograph and he knows it!” says Marc, who worked for the Watford Observer in the 1980s. “I used a super fine water spray on him to add the ‘sweaty look’ and simply asked him to clap up the chalk dust and clap very, very loudly!”

Also on display will be Watford photographer John Caton’s People of the Third Dimension, a striking image of fans in 3D glasses at a Kraftwerk concert.

  • The Royal Photographic Society 2015 Members’ Biennial Exhibition is at the Upper Gallery, intu Watford, from Saturday, February 14 to Sunday, March 1. Details: rps.org