111 shortlisted works submitted to this year's Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year (EPOTY) contest will go on show at the Royal Geographical Society in London from 22 June to 10 July 2015. Launched in 2007 by CIWEM, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, and sponsored by Atkins, the Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition honours amateurs and professionals of all ages. The selected photographs and films examine issues such as innovation, sustainable development, biodiversity, poverty, climate change, human rights, culture, natural disasters and population growth. Nigel Hendley, CIWEM Interim Chief Executive said: “The EPOTY competition provides a platform to raise awareness of environmental issues fundamental to our organisation; climate change, environmental pollution, water resource management, wastewater and flood risk management."

Press Release

Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year Exhibition

Royal Geographical Society, London
22 June – 10 July 2015

111 shortlisted works of outstanding photographic art will go on show at the Royal Geographical Society in London from 22 June to 10 July 2015. These are from a submission of over ten thousand images by photographers and filmmakers from across sixty countries internationally.

The works will then commence a tour of forest venues nationally, supported by the Forestry Commission England, beginning at Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre, Cumbria from 18 July – 7 September 2015.

Launched in 2007 by CIWEM, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, and sponsored by Atkins, one of the worlds leading design, engineering and project management consultancies, the Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year competition honours amateurs and professionals of all ages.

The selected photographs and films demonstrate the dynamic link between environmental and social issues in a way that makes us think differently about the world around us. Works examine issues such as innovation, sustainable development, biodiversity, poverty, climate change, human rights, culture, natural disasters and population growth.

The Prizes will be announced at a private ceremony on 25 June 2015 at 7.15pm. They include:

Atkins CIWEM Environmental Photographer of the Year - £5000
Atkins CIWEM Young Environmental Photographer of the Year (25 years or under) - £1000
Atkins CIWEM Environmental Film of the Year - £1000
Atkins Cityscape Prize - £1000
Forestry Commission England Exhibition Award - One photographer will be invited to exhibit
a solo exhibition at one of England’s public forests.

The entries were judged on impact, composition, originality and technical ability by the panel comprising:

Ian Gambles - Director, Forestry Commission England
Dr David Haley - Senior Research Fellow, Director - Ecology In Practice, Route Leader MA Art as Environment, Manchester Metropolitan University
Brigitte Lardinois - Deputy Director of the Photography and the Archive Research Centre at University of the Arts London
Tim Parkin - Landscape photographer and Editor of On Landscape
Nick Roberts - Atkins’ CEO for UK and Europe
Hayley Skipper - Curator of Arts Development, Forestry Commission England
Stephen Vaughan - Photographer and Senior Lecturer, Bath Spa University and Plymouth University

Nigel Hendley, CIWEM Interim Chief Executive said: “The EPOTY competition provides a platform to raise awareness of environmental issues fundamental to our organisation; climate change, environmental pollution, water resource management, wastewater and flood risk management.

Entries for the 2015 award were of the highest standard ever. They engage with thoughtprovoking topics and challenge us to question the impact we are having on the planet, both as individuals and human society.

We look forward to this year’s exhibition which enables us to share these fantastic and engaging images with the public.”

Hayley Skipper, Curator of Arts Development for Forestry Commission England said: “It was an extraordinary experience to look at the ten thousand images; an intense focus is required to absorb the quantity, and quality, of the imagery and the context of each photograph. There is an extraordinary sense of resilience in many of the images selected this year, as we all adapt to the challenges and conditions of our environment across the globe. It has been an honour to be a member of the selection panel for EPOTY 2015.”

Photo credit: Hoang Long Ly, Fishing net checking, Vietnam 2014

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