- Venue
- Royal Geographical Society
- Starts
- Wednesday, June 29, 2016
- Ends
- Sunday, August 21, 2016
- Address
- 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR
- Location
- London
- Organiser
- Royal Geographical Society
A shortlist of 60 exceptional environmental photographs will go on show at the Royal Geographical Society in London from 29 June to 21 August 2016. These are from a submission of approximately ten thousand images by photographers and filmmakers from across seventy countries internationally. The exhibition will then tour to Grizedale Forest, Cumbria, supported by Forestry Commission England.
The selected photographs and films reflect the urgent environmental and social concerns that surround us today: topics include recent natural catastrophes induced by the changing climate, the effects of population growth on the urban environment, and the resourceful ways in which the human race is preserving the earth’s biodiversity.
Launched in 2007 by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), and sponsored by Atkins, one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies, the Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition provides an international showcase for the very best in environmental photography and film, by both amateurs and professionals. Atkins and CIWEM aim to inspire a global audience to think differently about contemporary social and environmental issues, including sustainable development, pollution and human rights.
Terry Fuller, CIWEM Chief Executive, observes: “Each year we are delighted to receive such a huge number of outstanding entries from photographers and film makers who are inspired by the environment. The competition embodies CIWEM’s core aims to improve water and environmental management and raise awareness of the associated social and cultural issues.
The images from the EPOTY competition highlight the most urgent challenges we face, remind us of the importance of our work and inspire us to do better. We look forward to sharing the images with CIWEM members and the public at this year’s much anticipated exhibition.”
The entries were judged on impact, relevance, originality and technical ability by a distinguished panel comprising:
Ben Aviss – Acting Editor of BBC Earth UK
Ian Dunn – Chief Operating Officer at the University of Southampton; former Chief Executive of the Galapagos Conservation Trust
Dr David Haley – Senior Research Fellow, Director – Ecology In Practice, Route Leader MA Art as Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University
Tim Parkin – Landscape photographer and Editor of On Landscape
Hayley Skipper – National Arts Development Programme Manager, Forestry Commission England
MAY 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prizes will be announced on 28 June 2016 at 7.15pm, in a ceremony presented by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. This year there are three specific prize themes – Built Environment, Changing Climate, and People, Nature and Economy:
- Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year: £3000
- Atkins CIWEM Young Environmental Photographer of the Year (Under 25): £1000
- Atkins CIWEM Environmental Film of the Year: £500
- Atkins Built Environment Award: Photographer in residence opportunity
- CIWEM Changing Climate Award: £500, plus showcase of portfolio in one issue of The
Environment Magazine
- Forestry Commission England People, Nature and Economy Award: £1000, plus showcase of
portfolio in one of England’s Public Forests
“Year on year, it just gets better and better”, says David Haley, one of the 2016 selectors. “Again, I was amazed at the diversity of subject matter and the diversity of photographers – seeing the extraordinary within the mundane and revealing the way extreme environments are becoming the new normal.”
Nick Roberts, Atkins’ UK & Europe chief executive officer, comments on the exhibition: “In recent years the world has witnessed a rapid shift in population patterns and levels of migration that very few could have predicted. This, coupled with the continued effects of climate change and the accelerated influence of technology and data on our cities, poses big questions about what the future will hold for people and their environments as we know them today.
Through this competition, talented individuals have captured some of these complex issues; ones that our own engineers, designers and data specialists are tackling each day. By embracing new and emerging technology such as drones, AI, data mapping and more, I’m confident we will discover and implement innovative and sustainable solutions that not only respond to the environmental challenges of today, but help predict those of the future.”
EXHIBITION INFORMATION:
Royal Geographical Society
29 June – 21 August 2016
1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR (main entrance on Exhibition Road) 10.00am – 5.00pm daily
Free
South Kensington
+44 (0)20 7591 3000
www.epoty.org
@EPOTYcomp #EPOTY16
For further details about the exhibition, please contact exhibition organisers, Parker Harris: Tel. +44 (0) 1372 462190, email. [email protected]
