RSPCA: Young talent gets snappy with animals
Shortlist announced for awards judged by Chris Packham
Gulls gawping cheekily into the lens, a cat waving through a fence and a close up of a bee’s face – just some of the visual treats on offer in this year’s RSPCA Young Photographer Awards.
A shortlist of 31 stunning shots has been selected from thousands of entries ahead of an exclusive ceremony to announce the winners next month.
The varied mix of images range from an oryx in the shadow of a giant sand dune to a mischievous dog covered in sand and an ant snuggled into a flower petal.
TV presenter and RSPCA Vice President Chris Packham is on the judging panel and the winners will be announced at the RSPCA’s offices in Southwater, Horsham.
Chris said: “It is always a joy to be involved in this competition and seeing both the young talent and enthusiasm for the animal kingdom shine through.
“One of the things I love about it most is that young people tend to use the resources on their doorstep.
“A lot of adults feel they have to go to Africa and photograph a leopard or something, but kids do not have these options. Most of them have no choice but to stick to their back yard and as a result we see really simple but often very beautiful pictures of garden wildlife like flies, spiders and ants.”
The shortlisted images have been divided into three age categories, plus the old favourites Pet Personalities and the Portfolio Award. Launched last year, the category Making Life Better is for images that best illustrate how animals make people’s lives better.
The winners of each group, plus an overall winner, will be revealed at an event on the afternoon of December 14.
The overall winner will be treated to a specialist three-day wildlife photography break courtesy of Nature’s Images. He or she will learn some expert tips as well as share award-winning wildlife photographer Danny Green’s inside knowledge of his trade.
Other prizes include a range of fantastic Olympus equipment. For more information visit www.rspca.org.uk/ypa.
Notes to editors
YPA 2012 is supported by Warners Midlands www.warners.co.uk, Natures Images www.natures-images.co.uk and Olympus www.olympus.co.uk.
For images and further details please call the press office on 0300 123 0244/0288
Press are welcome to attend the event. Please call 0300 123 0244 for more details.
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 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
Once upon a time the RSPCA told the Uncomfortable Tail of Britain's
forgotten farm animal. Find out more about our Like a Duck to Water
campaign: http://www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/campaigns/farm/ducks
-01.png){kind=spacer}