A SOMERSET photographer has been shortlisted for an award.
Carly Dutton-Edwards, from Street, has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious British Photography Awards.
The awards, which celebrate the photographic talent of British and UK-based photographers, is a multidisciplinary competition made up of 19 categories including Landscape, Sports, Fine Art and Portrait.
Carly’s photograph has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Water Life category, featuring photographs of both underwater creatures and wildlife above water.
“I’m absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted in these esteemed awards,” Carly said.
“The wealth of talent in the competition is exceptional and I am humbled to be included in the list of finalists.
“Given the incredible photographs my image is up against, I’m certainly not expecting to take home the award, but making it onto the shortlist is already a win in my eyes.”
The photograph, which Carly took whilst travelling around Peru with her partner, Connor, depicts a Caiman, a smaller cousin of the alligator, peeking through the reeds.
She said: “During a night time tour on a motorised canoe, our expert guide spotted this Caiman, spying on us in the muddy banks of the Tambopata river in the Amazon Rainforest.
“They may be small, but they are still scary, especially at night! Rain plopping into the water all around us, we were unsure if we would see anything, so it was an absolute honour seeing this little creature.”
A non-profit competition, the British Photography Awards not only provides a platform to showcase the incredible work of both professional and amateur photographers alike, but also raises money for charity, with 100 per cent of proceeds being donated to 20 UK charities.
Every photographer who enters can choose which charity they would like to support with their submission.
Carly also said: “Due to the location of where the photograph was taken, it seemed fitting for me to support Rainforest Concern, whose work protects many vulnerable ecosystems around the world.
“We feel so lucky to have experienced the beauty of the Amazon Rainforest, and the vital work of Rainforest Concern will help to conserve threatened natural habitats and the biodiversity within them, for years to come.”
Citing the Somerset landscape as a source of inspiration for taking up photography, Carly added: “I feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful area.
“Growing up in Glastonbury, my parents would encourage my brothers and I to spend as much time as possible in our amazing surroundings.
“Family walks were a common pastime and we were often lucky enough to see a range of wildlife.
“It made me appreciate the beauty of nature and as an adult, I felt compelled to start photographing the places that bore so many wonderful childhood memories.
“It also propelled me to travel, eager to see what nature has to offer around the world.”
Alongside the judges’ vote, members of the public are able to submit their vote for the People’s Choice Award.
The winner of each category will be announced at a ceremony at The Dorchester in London on November 10.
You can vote for Carly’s photograph on the British Photography Awards website: https://www.britishphotographyawards.org/2023-shortlist/water-life/i-spy-with-my-little-eye/abb3d565-29a1-4d0a-b329-07753f2f4d8d
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