‘community’
We are delighted and proud to announce
our Student winners for our 2024 photography competition
themed ‘Community’ ARE…
WINNER - DAVID SHAW
For the series ‘Caeadda’ exploring the community of hill farmers in the Dyfi Valley area of Wales. @davidjshawphoto
RUNNERS UP -
JENNIFER CHARLTON for the series ‘A Hidden Community’ focusing on stigmatisation of Mental Health Issues. @jennifercharltonphotography
NICHOLAS TEO for the series ‘Tapestry’. @nickneedstosleep
Thanks to judges;
Photographer @carolynmendelsohn_
Channel 4 Pictures Team @carlpalmerpictures @jamie_honeywood
Impressions Gallery @annemcneill215 @janegenie81
& @photobox50 @denchphoto @sharonmaggieprice
Made possible by student competition sponsors @alumnogram
Thank you to everyone who who took time to enter, the standard is excellent 👌🏻
“Being involved with the Alumno Sponsored Photo North Festival Student Competition has been an amazing experience and I’m so grateful to have been chosen as a finalist amongst such amazing entries. Having my work exhibited in Manchester has been an exciting opportunity that I wouldn’t have had if it weren’t for taking a chance and entering the competition! Seeing my images on the wall and having such a positive response to my work has boosted my confidence massively and pushed me to keep creating and putting my work out there!” - Jessica French, Finalist Instagram @_jfrenchphoto
Since 2018, the Photo North Festival Student Competition has played a significant role in the creative journeys of students, drawing participants from 85 universities across the UK. With over 2,000 applicants, the competition is a vibrant mix of emerging talents. This prestigious event is open to all students, providing a unique platform for their artistic endeavors. The dedicated 'Education Day,' held on the festival's Friday, reflects our commitment to nurturing emerging talent. The festival showcases students' work and offers valuable portfolio reviews to guide their career paths. Finalists have the honor of exhibiting alongside established photographers, transforming the festival into a dynamic meeting of photography enthusiasts.
2024 COMPETITION BRIEF:
‘community’
Sometimes the most interesting stories are found closest to home and of those closest to us . What does community mean to you today? Is it simply a group of people living in the same place or is having particular age, attitudes, interests and characteristics in common?
With changes in communication, migration and wealth distribution along with new developments in technology, home entertainment and social media, the 21st century definition of community has shifted significantly.
Access to photograph communities was arguably easier, when children played in the streets and front doors were left open. Suspicion and fear has closed the door and taken play inside. What do people do in to feel connected, part of a wider community?
This challenge is to share through photography your definition of what community means to you.
Your project may want to explore what brings communities together: a place, tradition, religion, employment, sexuality, politics, sport, or other interest. Or you may want to explore what can divide communities, causing tension and conflict.
You can embrace one photographic genre, or mix them up: portraits, still life, found images or documentary.
Ordinary, everyday moments can be significant and offer a unique and fascinating universal document of community today. Let yourself loose, photograph something that excites you and above all, have fun!
Deadline for entries: Midnight Wednesday 14th March 2024:
GOOD LUCK and we look forward to seeing you in Leeds!
Pete and Sharon - Founders
SPONSORSDeadline for entries: Midnight 14th March 2024.
The winner and will be announced on Friday 12th April 2024, which is the festival’s EDUCATION DAY. The programme of events throughout this day are designed to support and stimulate student interest.
Winners and runners up will be exhibited throughout the full three days at Photo North Festival, alongside our prestigious and world renowned artists / photographers.
There will be a selection of prizes for 6 finalists, with a mentorship programme offered to the winner.
Many entries will have their work displayed on our Photo North Festival Instagram.
The competition is open to ALL students across the UK. Judges will be mindful of different stages of individual students skill level / year group.
SUPPORTED BY
AMBASSADORS FOR THE STUDENT COMPETITION
Our ambassadors for the student competition are Amyleigh, Megan and Evie, recent graduates with BA Hons in Photography: Editorial and Advertising. All are on hand to review and advise students should you need any support.
They can be reached via:
Amyleigh Fowles or Insta @amyleigh_fowles
Megan Bendall or Insta @meganthebendall
Evie Scarborough or Insta @evie.scarborough
Evie is also open to having a zoom call, should any of you need help talking through projects.
Photojournalist and Photo North Director, Peter Dench, imparts his wisdom and ‘top tips’ to aspiring photographers.former finalists
“Being a part of the Alumno Sponsored Photo North Festival Student Competition has been a welcome experience. It has allowed me to work towards a set brief with a unique approach, thus fostering creativity. It has also allowed me to explore subject areas outside of my comfort zone, creating some of my strongest work. I would encourage all students to participate in the years to come, pushing themselves creatively and producing inspiring work.”
www.zhanfilonovphoto.co.uk Instagram @zhanfilonovphoto
— Zhan Filonov
“Being a part of this competition pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to take on a theme in a way that I may not have attempted due to having little confidence in myself, however, I am so glad that I did as I have produced a new body of work that I love and am proud of. It is also such an honour to know that my photos were also exhibited at the same event as such amazing work by other extremely talented photographers and artists. I am really looking forward to the future regarding my photography work and Photo North has given me the push and platform to be able to take my work further”.
Instagram @evie.scarborough
— evie scarborough
“Taking part in the Alumno sponsored Photo North Festival student competition (‘Identity’) for me has been such an invaluable experience. As a mature student trying to emerge into the creative industries from a personal experience is a continual process. The fact my practice has been considered and rated by professionals involved with Photo North Festival may open up future opportunities to potentially springboard my career. The full event with guest speakers, photobook stalls, the student and professional exhibitions has such a positive impact that is engaging and a great way to network to aid the next generation of photographers.”
www.sofiaconti.photography Instagram @sofiaconti.photography
— sofia conti
about our sponsors
Since 2006, Alumno has specialised in developing student accommodations across the UK, emphasising local context, history, and community integration. Their schemes serve as more than just living spaces for students, acting as connectors to the surrounding towns and cities through the incorporation of public art and creative concepts. Alumno collaborates with local artists and creative entities, often sourcing new graduate work to infuse a unique atmosphere into their buildings. Committed to fostering creativity, they sponsored the Photo North Festival photography competitions, promoting student engagement and inspiration. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Alumno continues its support, sponsoring the upcoming competition in Leeds and eagerly anticipating the display of entrants' work within their new student accommodation at Whitelock Street. www.alumnogroup.com
“To be included in the Alumno sponsored competitionPhoto alongside so many incredibly talented photographers was a total honour. It’s the first time my work has been exhibited outside of university. I was surprised to be selected as a finalist and I’m so thankful for the opportunity, it made me feel as though my work has relevance, and that it can touch people. It’s encouraged me to come out of my shell and try to get my work out there more” - Luke Sumner www.lukesumner.co.uk Instagram @luksumner
2023 WINNER Jasmine Ashley-Locke ‘When Sea Becomes Sky’ RUNNER UP Lewis Baillie ‘Thoughts From Under The Floorboards’ 2022 WINNER Zhan Filonov RUNNERS UP Jessica French. Sofia Conti. Lydia Perez Lopez. Luke Sumner. Jade Fisher 2020 WINNER Evie Scarborough RUNNERS UP Harriet Massey, Edward Paxton, Ellie Bell 2019 WINNER Harry Renton RUNNER Evie Scarborough 2018 WINNER Paul Cliffe RUNNER UP Ollie Howes