Seven A Level Photography students win in nationwide competition

Out of the tens of thousands of submissions, seven of Newcastle College’s A Level Photography students were chosen for the online exhibition which can be viewed here.

Three of the seven students were also commended for the ‘Judges Choices Award’ and as a result, their competition entries have been displayed on billboards in hundreds of nationwide locations over the week.

Second year A Level Photography student Sky Forrest-Hay’s image, ‘Anniversary', was chosen by competition judge and activist and founder of ‘Everyone’s Invited’, Soma Sara. ‘Anniversary’ is a self-portrait captured by Sky during the COVID-19 pandemic, making personal connections to eating disorders. Commenting on Sky’s image, Soma Sara said: "This piece really resonated with me when I first saw it. It is very nostalgic and took me back to the birthday parties of my childhood. I was moved by the vulnerability and honesty of it. It also feels really hopeful - like a full circle moment”.

Another second year student chosen for the ‘Judges Choice Award’ was Tom Millington for his image ‘Controlled’ chosen by last years winner Adnam Islam. Commenting on Tom’s image, Adnam said: "Tom’s image resonated with me, providing an insight to how society really is…how we are puppets being pulled at the strings”.

First year student Ilana Steventon’s image, ‘Desensitised’, an image of a boy wearing a mask in a foggy bus at night time, was chosen by Digital Creator and Photographer, Adrian Bliss, who said: "When looking through the selections I was immediately drawn to Llana’s photo, ‘Desensitised’. She has captured a fleeting moment that is simultaneously distant and intimate. The anonymous figure is indistinguishable, and yet I know they are looking right at me. It leaves me feeling uneasy, for it encapsulates an unusual moment in history where we are arguably more separated from people right in front of us than we have ever been before.”.

Other A Level Photography students who made it to the online exhibition include second year student Brooke Lovatt for her studio portrait ‘Dissociation’, second year student Izzi Glover for her eerie, cinematic portrait at night in a phone booth titled ‘Paranoia’, first year student Sophia Walker for her surreal and nightmarish image of a person at an office desk in a never ending field titled ’Trapped’ and finally, first year student Megan Bryant of a man standing in the underground in front of a moving train titled “Time Moves On, We Stand Still’.

Everyone at NSCG are unbelievably proud of what our students have achieved during such strange times and this has been a massive confidence boost for our young aspiring photographers.