Creative kids shine in the science festival photo contest
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AMATEUR photographers in Caithness received high praise on Friday night for their work.
The Science O3 photography awards evening held in Caithness Horizons in Thurso showcased work from around 24 keen local snappers – with the youngsters in particular showing the adults a thing or two about taking pictures.
The competition was organised into two categories – open and "Energy in Caithness" – to highlight the local science festival’s upcoming 10th anniversary next year.
Judging the event was Thurso-based professional photographer John Baikie, who quipped he would have to watch his back in a few years as the competition was that good.
"The entries were really good quality. I was quite impressed by them, especially the kids’ ones," he said.
"They had clearly put a lot of thought into them and had not just found some pictures that fitted, they had gone out and taken them for this event.
"It was nice to see that people were looking for different angles and a different approach to things rather than just the obvious."
The photographer, whose award-winning work has been featured across the UK, critiqued the entries, giving everyone from youngsters to adults a little bit of help and advice on how to improve their work, and he praised all the short-listed entries.
The winner of both over-18s’ section received a £100 cash prize for photographic equipment, while all the younger winners will get an hour’s tutorial with John.
Runners-up in each category each received book tokens.
On hand to give out the awards was local MP and Caithness International Science Festival patron John Thurso.
He said that in his opinion all the pictures were stunning right through the age range, but that the junior entries stood out as exceptional.
"Some of the photographs taken by some of the juniors were really incredibly good," said the MP. "I think John Baikie put it very well by saying that they had clearly put thought into it and that they had composed them well.
"The quality of the stuff in the adult section and the technique and thought that had been put into it made it a really outstanding display of photography."
John Thurso added: "And, of course, it’s done exactly what Science 03 was looking to do, which was to generate a lot of interest in the festival.
"As I said at the beginning, the festival is really important in getting not just kids but everyone interested in science, technology and engineering, which are so important for our future up here."
Science festival secretary Helen Ellis said the festival committee was delighted that the photography competition had allowed new people to be involved.
"It’s very much been a huge success as I think it’s brought a whole new audience to the festival, and it’s made people aware of what Science O3 does and hopefully will encourage them to take part in more events next year," she said.
"We had well over 220 entries so it has just been so well supported and we were delighted at the standard.
"We also liked the fact that people from all over the county – in fact even from outside the county – entered."
All of the entries will be on display in the café at Caithness Horizons until October 16.
Getting it just right for the people
‘YOU have to keep reinventing something to keep it good."
That is the view of chairman Professor Iain Baikie on how the Caithness International Science Festival continues to grow in both popularity and size year on year.
Through the Science O3 charity, Prof Baikie and other keen engineers and scientists work hard to promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) to local schools and the general public through the festival.
Held annually in March, the week-long, £25,000 event brings together people in the local community to expand their collective knowledge with fun and interesting sessions, talks and activities.
"If we are spending that kind of money it’s got to be right and it’s got to be what people want," said Prof Baikie. "After 10 years, I’m really proud of what we’ve built up. We’ve got a strong committee and we’ve just got to make sure we keep on getting it right for the audience."
Through the Science O3 branding, the committee has built a reputation for really making an impact on both youngsters and adults alike, and the professor said he can’t wait to celebrate the 10th anniversary next year.
"I’m really looking forward to it and it’s really because Helen Ellis [festival secretary] came on board. She’s got new ideas, fresh ideas and everything that’s done is quality," he said.
"Caithness people appreciate that. If they know they are coming then they want to know it is going to be good."
However Prof Baikie is also keen for the industry to recognise that their work in promoting the STEM subjects is a big factor in the development of the next generation of engineers and scientists.
"We’ve got a lot of people we can call on to help run the festival but if we want to continue with professional presenters in schools then the larger companies involved in the energy sector need to help us," he said.
"If we don’t get that help then I think it will be very difficult to maintain."
The winners...
"Energy in Caithness"
P1 to P4 – Winner: Ben Sutherland.
Runner-up: Arden Tuerlinckx.
P5 to P7 – Winner: Kacey Bremner. Runner-up: Alan Fulton.
Ages 11 to 18 – Winner: Tomi Baikie. Runner-up: Christopher Manson.
Over-18 – Winner: Alan Taylor.
Runner-up:
Fergus Mather.
Open
P1 to P4 – Winner: Shona Miller. Runner-up: Kirsty Henderson.
P5 to P7 – Winner: Louise Gunn. Runner-up: Katie Jolly.
Ages 11 to 18 – Winner: Eilidh Geddes. Runner-up: Michael Stone.
Over-18 – Winner: Douglas Cowie. Runner-up: John Sinclair.
