Photographic Success

Year 11 student, Ed Thurlow, has been shortlisted (UPDATE: WON!) for a prestigious photography award which has been run by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The theme was 'Environment' and the competition was for 11-18 year olds. The NERC's website states: "Nine entries have been shortlisted by our esteemed panel of judges: Fiona Shields (Head of Pictures at The Guardian), Professor Iain Stewart (BBC presenter and lecturer at the University of Plymouth) and NERC's Ned Garnett (Associate Director of Research). To make the shortlist, images were judged on their originality, visual appeal, their description and how they captured the impact of environmental science on you. We received over a 1000 submissions and entries!"  

Ed entered this stunning photograph alongside his thoughts as to why he felt this image captured the environment: 'I took this picture when on a family visit to Chester Zoo; Zoos are vital place of conservation and education, not only do they nurture endangered species but inform our generation of the importance of these creatures. My environment should be cared for, one where humans and animals live symbiotically and not antibiotically. In an attempt to show this I have depicted the chimp suppressed in a dark environment, a symbol for the pressure our selfish industry places on animals.'  

Ed's work will be exhibited at the The UnEarthed showcase at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh.  Many congratulations Ed, a great photograph!