Stunning Photographs Set The Standard For Prestigious Awards
Stunning animal images taken by some of the finest young photographers in Britain have been unveiled on the shortlist for the prestigious RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2008 (YPA08).
The YPA08 judges have whittled down the thousands of entries to a shortlist of 33 spectacular shots. The winners will be announced at an exclusive awards ceremony at HM Tower of London on 12 December.
The standard of entries was higher than ever for the awards - sponsored by Olympus and Warners Midland - which are seen as a springboard to success for some of our best young animal photographers.
Winners will be chosen in categories for under 12 years, 12-18 years, Pet Personalities and the Olympus Portfolio. The winners will receive top Olympus photographic equipment, while the overall winner will also get the chance to go on an exclusive RSPCA photoshoot.
Model and photographer Penny Lancaster-Stewart has joined the YPA judging panel this year for the first time. She turned her attention to YPA – now in its 18th year - after starring on the dancefloor in BBC One hit show Strictly Come Dancing in 2007.
Penny said: “I was delighted to be a judge for the RSPCA’s Young Photographer Awards and was thrilled to see lots of creative and interesting images from fantastic young talent.”
BBC Really Wild Show presenter Nick Baker has also deliberated over the YPA08 entries and will host this year’s awards ceremony. He was not surprised by the high calibre of images after he saw the standard of photographs on last year’s shortlist.
“What a fantastic competition and what a superb opportunity to showcase not only the amazing animals but also the talented young photographers that take these stunning photos,” said Nick.
Joining Nick and Penny on the judging panel was RSPCA chief photographer Andrew Forsyth, top wildlife photographer Ernie Janes and Jean Hosking, managing director of the nature picture agency FLPA.
Jean said she was impressed by how much thought had been invested in the images by the shortlisted photographers.
She said: “It was a very high standard and it sounds a cliché, but all of them are winners to have made it this far. There was not much to choose between them when it came down to it.
“There has obviously been a lot of enthusiasm and dedication that has gone into the taking of these photographs. There are plenty of potential professional photographers for the future among the shortlisted entrants.”
Full details of the competition, together with rules, can be found on the website www.rspca.org.uk/ypa
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