Under 12 - Young Photographer Awards
Under 12 years
Guardian of the Galaxies
Photographer
Hope Whittaker
Category
Under 12 – Winner 2023
Description
I was out walking one morning when I saw this cricket perched on the side of a car.I don’t often see crickets so I got out my camera and tried to get a good photo, but it was really hard due to clouds blocking the light, making the shutter speed slower and the photos all shaky. I really like it because the car’s paint looks like sparkly stars and planets. I’m autistic and I see things differently to other people – I hope that through my photos people will be able to see the world in a whole new way.
The silent stalker
Photographer
Tara Hinds Medina
Category
Under 12 – Runner-up 2023
Description
I had my first visit to RSPB Minsmere and I had already seen a handful of cool birds as I sat in the reedbed hide. It was still and quiet and then my mum pointed out a shadow looming over the water. It was a bittern! With its body horizontal, I used the misty surroundings and backlight behind the bird to create the perfect silhouette, under exposing slightly, capturing its elusive habits.
Head under water
Photographer
Jamie Smart
Category
Under 12 – Commended 2023
Description
I was watching two swans swimming on a lake at Slimbridge when I thought I’d set myself a challenge of getting an image of one just as it brought its head up out of the water with water dripping from its bill. While trying to get the image, I captured an image which is a bit more unusual of a swan. It makes me wonder what the swan is thinking or doing while their head is immersed in the water. I then turned it black and white to help accentuate the beauty of the bird against the water.
Green-eyed flower bee in flight
Photographer
Jack Brackley
Category
Under 12 – Commended 2023
Description
At Lackford Lakes nature reserve there was a patch of bright yellow flowers that was buzzing with life. I spent an hour taking pictures with my macro lens, fascinated by the sights and sounds. Capturing an image of one of the insects, a green-eyed flower bee, in flight proved very challenging but I was determined. I set my aperture to f/8 to bring out sharp detail and got eye level with it to take this shot as it flew. I was amazed to see all the pollen on its face and I like the contrast of yellows and greens.
Spring's treasures
Photographer
Jamie Smart
Category
Under 12 – Commended 2023
Description
We got up very, very early one cold misty spring morning to find some boxing hares up on the moorland. On our way I spotted this pheasant sitting on a farm gate in the morning sunrise. I made my dad stop the car and reverse slowly. I quietly opened my car window and managed to get this photo of him in all his beauty with the blackthorn blossom in the background and the sun rays lighting up his copper breast feathers. We didn’t get any hares that morning, but Mr Pheasant making this appearance really made up for it!