Winners of the Thames21 2014 Photography Competition announced
More than 1000 photographs were entered into Thames21’s annual challenge to capture the essence of London’s waterways. This year’s number of entries reached a record high in what has turned into a hugely popular annual event in celebration of London’s rivers and canals.
Jairo Hurtardo’s image ‘Human Waste’ was announced as the winner of Thames21’s 2014 Annual Photography Competition at the launch of the accompanying exhibition at the National Maritime Museum on 13th February. Second prize winner has been named as William Richardson and third prize as Danielle Lamarche judged by leading landscape photographer Charlie Waite. The under 18s winner was announced as New Yorker Katie Roscoe.
Winner, Jairo Hurtardo said: ‘Winning this competition means a lot to me. It is a hobby which has consumed a lot of time recently, so very happy to receive such recognition. The day I took the picture, I was planning to photograph the majestic bank buildings reflected on the water of the docks, but instead I found a different reality: A canal full of rubbish with swans swimming through. That scene was my chance to tell Londoners the harm we’re doing to the city’s wildlife’
The under 18s winner Katie Roscoe said: ‘It is an honour to have won this award and I’m so thrilled that my image was selected. When I visited London for the first time last summer I was immediately inspired by the River Thames and its many bridges. I hope together we can help to raise awareness and appreciation of the Thames and the importance of protecting it for future generations’.
Amateur photographers were called on to capture the essence of their local waterways in the annual competition. First prize was £250, with a suite of other attractive prizes.
Thames21 competition coordinator Ben Fenton said: ‘This year’s shortlist features some really excellent stuff from some very talented photographers, a big thank you to the funders The Crown Estate, Bywaters and London RIB Voyages and to our partner the National Maritime Museum and to competition judge Charlie Waite’
Gary Thompson, Coastal Manager at The Crown Estate said: ‘As our coastal portfolio comprises foreshore and seabed throughout the UK including interests in ports, harbours, leisure boating and aquaculture facilities, we are delighted to have supported Thames21’s photo exhibition highlighting the rich heritage of the River Thames. Thames21 and their 12,000 volunteers do fantastic and essential work to improve the Thames waterways across London, ensuring the river can be enjoyed for generations to come.’
Like in previous years, the charity teamed up with the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Sara Wajid, Public Programmes Manager – Exhibitions, National Maritime Museum, said: ‘We are delighted to continue this collaboration with Thames21’s annual photography competition again this year. This year it coincides with our Turner and the Sea exhibition which is particularly appropriate as Turner had a lifelong association with the River Thames and it was a great source of creative inspiration to him just as it is to modern photographers.’
The free exhibition of shortlisted images is displayed at the National Maritime Museum until April 21st. A series of fun photography workshops and family activities on London’s rivers will be held to coincide with the exhibition. For more details see: http://www.thames21.org.uk/events/
All winners and shortlisted images can be viewed on the Thames21 Flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/thames21/
