News Beyond the Frame 09.05.2022

A Level Photography students from The College of Richard Collyer have entered their work for an international competition. Two have had their photographs shortlisted for the ‘Beyond the Frame’ competition, run by Norwich University of the Arts. In its fifth year, the competition theme was ‘Curiosity’. Students from secondary or further education colleges could enter and judges were looking for the finest photography from creative students which explored or investigated the things that they were curious about, and through their approach communicate to others why their subject matter was so interesting.

Subject Leader for Photography and Assistant Director of Faculty Arts, Laura Andrews explained: “From over 600 entries from across the world, Collyer’s A level Photography students Tom Chiplin and Polly Simpson’s work was selected and shortlisted in the competition’s final exhibition. The work was judged by NUA BA (Hons) Photography course leader James Smith, along with acclaimed professional photographers and NUA graduates.”

Year 1 A Level Photography student Polly Simpson said: “It feels such an achievement to have my work recognised and exhibited alongside so many other great photographs. All the shortlisted entries were of such high quality, so I feel it is an accomplishment to have my work displayed amongst them.”

Polly, who travelled up to Norwich to view her work on display at the gallery, as well as taking part in talks throughout the day, added: “I luckily had the chance to go to the NUA event which I found very insightful and inspiring. I also got the opportunity to hear from and talk to such inspiring and successful artists.

“As part of my Environment Project in my first year at Collyer’s, I have been exploring the connections and disconnections between people and their urban environment. My shortlisted image is from my very first shoot where I was beginning to develop my concept in trying to grapple with the huge ideas of how we exist in the modern world and how our humanity is ever present and somehow more noticeable when placed against the huge backdrops of a metropolis.”

Tom Chiplin said, “I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had whilst studying Photography at Collyer’s. I have had such great support from my teachers, we have all adapted over the last two years and this has had an influence on my work.

“Photography has given me the freedom to experiment with a wide range of genres as well as using a range of equipment and techniques from still imagery to filmmaking. It has been a great experience and I am looking forward to continuing to use these skills in the future. Thank you to my teacher Rebecca Moon and the staff in the Photography department for the last two years!”

Polly added, “along this journey, I have learned a lot of skills and been able to experiment with different street photography styles, being offered plenty of support along the way from my teachers and family, whom I feel an abundance of gratitude for.”

Laura Andrews said: “We are so proud of our students. Tom and Polly have worked so hard to create personal and unique work. Having their photographs selected for this competition is such a wonderful achievement and it is fantastic to see them both emerging as confident and skilled photographers.”