News Students In The Frame For National Prizes 09.05.2023

A level Photography students from The College of Richard Collyer have enjoyed success for the second year running at the Beyond the Frame competition run by Norwich University of the Arts. Four shortlisted students from the college were invited to attend the exhibition private view.

Collyer’s Head of Photography and Assistant Director of the Arts Faculty, Laura Andrews, explained: “The competition was open to students aged 11 to 19 both in the UK and around the world, who are in full time Secondary or Further education. This year’s competition received over 650 entries, with 50 of these students making it to the final shortlist. The shortlisted entries from the 2023 competition were displayed in an awards exhibition at Norwich University of the Arts.”

Year 2 A level student Polly Simpson had two architectural images shortlisted, along with two portraiture works from Year 1 student Arabella Rice. Year 1 student Jamie Fry who studies A level Photography, Contemporary Fine Art, and Textiles, had two atmospheric urban images chosen in the shortlist along with fellow Year 1 student Tom Bailey’s photograph of London also making the final selection.

The event hosted at the Norwich University of the Arts included lectures from judges Clive Booth, a filmmaker and photographer, who is a member of the Canon Ambassador Programme and the Adobe Influencer Programme, and photographer Cat Gundry-Beck, a Norwich University of the Arts graduate. The photographers gave inspiring and interesting insights into forging a career as a photographer as well as offering feedback on the winning works.

Year 1 Photography student Arabella Rice who previously studied Photography GCSE at Steyning Grammar school had two pieces of work selected in the final shortlist. She said: “I have loved my A level Photography studies at Collyer’s, and it has been fantastic to be able to develop my skills further. My teacher encouraged me to enter the competition, which pushed me to do something I have never done before. I didn’t think I would be shortlisted, so it was a wonderful surprise and a great opportunity to visit Norwich and see my work displayed in the final exhibition.

“I feel really inspired and look forward to entering more competitions in the future and completing my A level journey.”

Tom Bailey, a year 1 Photography student, only began seriously pursuing photographing in January 2022, after deciding he wanted to develop his creative skills and mindset. During his first year of the A level Photography course his work has had an urban focus, and his striking image of sunset over the River Thames to Parliament was shortlisted for the competition. Tom said: “I want to pursue a career in photography, and the experience of this competition has inspired me to enter more competitions in the future and pursue my career goals.

“It was really interesting to hear from professional photographers and gain a greater understanding of the different photographic pathways you can take.”

Laura Andrews added: “We are so proud of all our students who entered. It takes a lot to put your work out into the public domain for judging. The work represents a small selection of the diverse photography produced in the department here at Collyer’s. Well done to all our photographers, and huge congratulations to Arabella, Tom, Jamie, and Polly for their success at Beyond the Frame 2023!”