Our Environmental Change Photography Competition & Exhibition

From 2-8 June, Reuben College hosted its first Environmental Change Photography exhibition. Winning and highly commended photos were printed and displayed in the Hooke Entrance, with a screen showing all the entries. 

The exhibition formed part of the Right Here Right Now global climate justice event, hosted in Oxford and around the world, with the public invited into the College on Friday 6 June. Photos were in three categories: Climate change and / or human rights; natural environment; research and learning about the environment.

We were delighted that entries came from across the whole Reuben community, with submissions from staff, students and fellows. At least four continents were pictured, and subjects and scales ranged from rare beetles and cheeky chickens to retreating glaciers and vast deserts. Pictures came from research documentation, field trips and favourite local or distant places.

Judging and winners

Our jury – Lei Clifton, Stephen Purbrick and Tsion Syoum - had the difficult job of choosing between the almost 50 entries to award first and second prizes in each category. The judging criteria were: relevance to the environmental change theme chosen, creativity, visual appeal, and technical ability.  The photos were accompanied by short descriptions and were judged anonymously.

Ajay Yadiv, Time for Drapery and Dance

The winners were:

1st place: Katrina Charles, Ajay Yadav, Ajay Yadav

2nd place: Andy McNey, Emma Greenough, Joshua Miller 

We celebrated the photographers at our opening event on Tuesday 3 June, where those present were able to explain in more detail the inspiration behind their pictures and their connection with environmental change. Ajay explained that his winning photos were part of his DPhil fieldwork documentation. His picture ‘time for drapery and dance’, showing colourful traditional clothing against a desert backdrop, was made extra-special by a dragonfly in the foreground that he hadn’t realised was there when taking the photo.

Success and thanks

Feedback from visitors to the exhibition was very positive:

“It was a joy to see the entries and the context of the pictures, which brought them to life!” “Beautiful pictures that show the incredible range of work at Reuben. Loved it.”

“Great initiative! Lots of talent at Reuben!”

Thanks to the organisers, participants and visitors. The competition and exhibition were organised by Environmental Change Fellows Anupama Sen and Tina Fawcett, with the vital support of Reuben Communications and Events staff, as well as the College's Facilities and Porter teams.

And to everyone who took part and visited the exhibition – same time again next year?

You can see the winning and highly commended photos here.