RSPCA: It’s Picture Perfect For 10-Year-Old Alex As His Chameleon Image Scoops Top Prize
RSPCA Press release
Strictly Embargoed until 2pm, Friday 14 December 2007
It’s Picture Perfect For 10-Year-Old Alex As His Chameleon Image Scoops Top Prize
A stunning picture of a chameleon has helped a 10-year-old scale the heights of photography success by winning the prestigious RSPCA Young Photographer Award 2007.
At a glitzy ceremony at the Natural History Museum today, Alex Worthington, from Lancaster, was presented with the Overall Winner award in the competition, sponsored by Olympus and printing company Warners Midlands, by Blue Peter vet Tricia Mundy.
Remarkably, Alex had a staggering four other pictures in the shortlist of photos for the competition, which receives thousands of entries. Last year, he was the winner of the Under 12 section.
This year, that honour was taken by Sophie Livsey, 11, from Grantham, with her fantastic picture of a frog in her garden. The 12-18 section was won by Megan McCubbin, 12, from Southampton, with a startling shot of two gannets grabbing fish. Megan has a great photographic pedigree, being the daughter of wildlife photographer and former Young Photographer Awards judge Chris Packham.
The Olympus Portfolio Prize was won by 17-year-old Matthew Burrard-Lucas from Sevenoaks, with five beautiful pictures of birds, from a proud chicken to a grooming swan. A new competition category this year, Pet Personalities, was won by Isabella Williams, 13, from Camden, London, and her picture of pet cat Baby Kitty in a flowerpot.
RSPCA Chief Photographer and competition judge Andrew Forsyth said:
“Once again the quality of photographs we have seen is fantastic. It was a really tough decision to separate the winners, and the fact that such sophisticated images were taken by under 18s, with many of the winning shots coming from under 13 year olds, is both incredibly inspiring, and as a professional photographer, a little bit scary!”
Talking about his winning shot, Alex Worthington said:
“For this picture I used all the zoom of the Olympus SP500. This let me get very close and it makes an unusual picture. I was able to take several pictures, but I think this one is the best because the chameleon is looking at me, the contrast of colours is good and your view is drawn to the eye.”
Andrew Forsyth commented: “The most striking thing about Alex’s picture is that it conveys so much using so few elements. There is a harmony between colour, texture and composition that creates a beautifully balanced image. Despite, or perhaps because of, its simplicity Calmer Chameleon proves that Alex is a tremendously talented young photographer.”
Alex wins a photoshoot with the RSPCA, plus a top of the range Olympus camera. All the other winners also pick up fantastic Olympus digital cameras and RSPCA goodie bags.
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Notes to Editors
1. For more information, interviews and copies of pictures, please contact Chris Pitt at the RSPCA press office on 0300 123 0244 cpitt@rspca.org.uk or the Olympus press office on 020 7250 4838 press-office@olympus.uk.com
2. Winners quotes and judges comments:
Portfolio Winner – Matthew Burrard-Lucas, on his chicken photo:
“I was hoping to photograph red squirrels that live on Brownsea island near Poole but unexpectedly I found this rather grand chicken, which would run back and forth attempting to scrounge food from passers-by. I just couldn’t help but smile when I saw his comical and bizarre appearance through my lens.”
Mark Thackara, General Manager – Marketing, Imaging at Olympus, commented: “Matthew was a clear winner in the Olympus award category, combining a graphic visual style and careful observation of bird behaviour in a very impressive portfolio.”
12-18 Winner – Megan McCubbin
“We went to the bass rock in Scotland in July 2006. We went in a boat, the captain threw fish over the side and about a hundred gannets flew into the water. It was difficult to take the photo as the boat was wobbling about and the gannets were very fast. I like the photo because the gannets are facing different directions and you can see the fish clearly.”
Andrew Forsyth said: “Megan’s image demonstrates her skill and composure in capturing the fleeting moment as two gannets catch fish together. Add to this the sense of movement from the flapping wings and splashing water and you have a wonderful study of the behaviour of these fascinating birds.”
Under 12 Winner – Sophie Livsey
“I was in the garden taking photos of flowers while mum was doing some watering. Mum had a shock when this frog jumped out and because it kept sitting there I decided to take some pictures of it. I was really happy with the focus of this one, I was especially pleased with the eyes.”
Andrew Forsyth said: “Making eye to eye contact with your subject is one of the golden rules in wildlife photography, one that Sophie uses to great effect in her portrait. The use of vibrant colours adds extra appeal and makes this common frog a worthy award winner.”
Pet Personalities Winner – Isabella Williams
“I like the way Baby Kitty’s colouring blends in with the other items in the photograph and how she fits perfectly into the pot. You have to look carefully to see that this isn’t just a picture of pots. Although she looks serene and peaceful, I also think she looks really funny!”
Andrew Forsyth said: “Isabella has photographed a quirky piece of behaviour that perfectly captures her pet’s personality. The judges found the combination of humour and careful composition irresistible.”
3. Details of Winners:
Overall Winner,
Alex Worthington (10), Lancaster, Lancashire – Calmer Chameleon
Portfolio Winner,
Matthew Burrard- Lucas (17), Sevenoaks, Kent – 5 photos
1) Chicken, 2) Eurasian Wigeon, 3) kittiwakes, 4) Bewicks swan, 5) Cormorant
Pet Personalities winner,
Isabella Williams (13), London – Look what’s growing in grandmas garden!
Pet Personalities commended,
Daniel Beegan (16), Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear – Dog through fence Caitlin Begley (11), Gnosall, Nr Stafford – Wilfred in his castle Lucy Todd (18), Worthing, West Sussex – Prehistoric yawn Sarah Boulding (13), wokingham, Berkshire – Greek Gratitude
Under 12 winner
Sophie Livsey (11), Grantham, Lincolnshire – Frog
Under 12 Runners up
Alex Worthington (10), Lancaster, Lancashire – Iguanas Alex Worthington (10), Lancaster, Lancashire – Dragonfly Sophie Wallace (11), Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire – Common Marmosets Maddie Thomas (11), Watford, Hertfordshire – The Darter’s landing
Under 12 commended
Sophie Wallace (11), Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire – Lemur Alex Worthington (10), Lancaster, Lancashire – Purple Glossy Starling Alex Worthington (10), Lancaster, Lancashire – Azure Damselfly Katie Houston (11), Munlochy, Rossshire – Lots of Legs
12 – 18 Winner
Megan McCubbin (12), Southampton, Hampshire – Gannets
12 – 18 Runners up
Jodie Randall (18), Rochester, Kent – Hard to swallow Catriona Parfitt (14), Swanwick, Southampton – Fur Seal Catriona Parfitt (14), Swanwick, Southampton – Pony Head Megan McCubbin (12), Southampton, Hampshire – Skua
12 – 18 commended
Matthew Burrard- Lucas (17), Sevenoaks, Kent – Lion Cubs Matthew Burrard- Lucas (17), Sevenoaks, Kent – Chicken Jan McCullough (16), County Down – B & W Dog Gemma Keys (18), Norwich, Norfolk – Alligator Eye Catriona Parfitt (14), Swanwick, Southampton – Cormorant in water Catriona Parfitt (14), Swanwick, Southampton – Harlequin Duck Catriona Parfitt (14), Swanwick, Southampton – Zebra Jodie Randall (18), Rochester, Kent -Mute swan and cygnet
4. Panel of Judges:
Andrew Forsyth, RSPCA Chief Photographer and manager of the RSPCA Photolibrary Richard Lane, Publications and Internal Communications Manager, Olympus Philip Warner, Managing Director of printing company Warners Midlands plc Louise Stevens, RSPCA Head of Publications and Brand Sarah Evans, editor of RSPCA’s children’s magazine, Animal Action Chris Pitt, RSPCA press officer
(Chris Packham withdrew from any involvement with the competition prior to the judging stage, as his daughter wished to enter. All judging of photographs was performed completely anonymously.)
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099 Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 0870 0555500 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
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