A local photography project
In 2021 I created a photography initiative to encourage the local community from all backgrounds and of all ages to share images of how they see Clerkenwell and EC1. Following the success of the first year, I did it again this year, with more age categories, more entrants and more prizes. The images below show some of the highlights from the 2022 competition. (And below that, the 2021 competition if you like long, long scrolling.)
For a fuller review of the 2022 competition see A Bloggy Type Thing or to see all the winners, runner-up, and best series, visit clerkenwellphotography.com
Twitter: @ClerkPhoto. Instagram: @clerkenwellphotography
The exhibition is currently on at The Bindery, 51-53 Hatton Garden EC1N 8HN until 14th October. Weekdays 8am-6pm.
The awards night and private view was attended by the winners, runners-up, sponsors and all 6 judges. “I was really impressed by the breadth of quality and creativity through all of the age groups, but what caught my attention the most was the love for the area that I felt at the awards night. The people who entered the competition are proud of where they live and its rich history. It was more than just a photo competition, it was for people from all walks of life to come together and share their creative visions of the area.” Philip Haynes - Judge and award winning photographer.
JOINT WINNER Under 12 yrs Hayne Street by Fergus McCann-Bottyan
‘I saw a drain, looked into it, it was Barbican station and a tube was there’!
JOINT WINNER Under 12 yrs. Three Corners Park by Indiana Passmore
‘I like seeing the pigeons in my park’.
WINNER 12-18s Lever Street by Sam Ingram
WINNER 19-34 Seddon Highwalk by Tugce Karapinar
A prominent feature of Clerkenwell is the ‘Barbican Station’. This focuses on the concept of ‘looking through’. Walking through Seddon Highwalk, I was able to capture a different viewpoint of an environment that is used by many on a daily basis
WINNER 35-65 Exmouth Market by Thomas Casey Exmouth Market in the rain
WINNER Over 65s St Luke’s, Old Street by Tessa Sheridan ‘Loss of Connection’. When the LSO closes its local community choir after nineteen years, founder member Grace (98), tears up her sheet music in protest. .
WINNER - MY CLERKENWELL AT WORK SPONSORED BY CENTRAL DISTRICT ALLIANCE
Pear Tree Court by Zipu Zhu
Seen at a distance, unseen by most, working at heights above the Piano Works building amongst the birds.
WINNER - MY CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY SPONSORED BY THE PEEL INSTITUTE
St John’s Square by Richard Betson
Saturday morning chess at the Four Corner Club
Still scrolling?! If you want to see lots more winners, series, special prizes and highly commended shots click here
The 2021 Competition
Some of the entrants and winners at the exhibition opening night.
2021 WINNER. 35-65 Hatton Garden by William Hall
2021 SPONSOR’S CHOICE (AML) Farringdon Station by Thomas Casey
2021 RUNNER UP 18-34 Clerkenwell Close by Nicolette Draper
2021 WINNER - THE PEEL ‘CONNECTED COMMUNITIES’ PRIZE St Luke’s Churchyard Jon Cox
2021 RUNNER UP 35-65yrs St John’s Gardens by Cedric D’Amico. 2021 THIRD PLACE 35-65yrs Northampton Square by Suren Pithwa
2021 SPONSORS CHOICE (Curious) Myddleton Square by Nicole Valente
The aim of the project was to encourage a diverse range of local residents and workers to capture Clerkenwell and EC1, and to reveal parts of the area that may have gone unnoticed by the wider community. It was initiated by a local resident as part of a programme run by a local charity and community centre, The Peel Institute, which has been building a connected community since 1898. The contest was aimed at all ages and abilities, and received over 500 entries from people aged from 7 to 84 years old. To make it accessible and easy to enter in its first year, there was no specific theme other than the images should be taken in and around Clerkenwell or EC1. Judging took place in September, and an exhibiton and awards evening was held in October.
“I look at pictures all day every day, and I can honestly say I was blown away by the quality and variety of shots from each of the age groups. It gave the judges a wonderfully difficult job.” Helen Healy . Chair of Judges Head of Pictures Financial Times.
“We are so excited to be involved in this opportunity! Thank you so much!!! The boys were so excited!! They told all their friends and teachers! “ Hayley Walsh
“I only relatively recently started taking photos again and the competition gave me the push that I needed to really focus on where I live. So I want to thank Chris for spurring us on and hope that others get the opportunity to do it again sometime.” Cedric D’Amico
“I just want to say a massive Thank-you for putting together an amazing photography competition, I really had fun participating! I am still getting the hang of publishing my work & putting myself out there. I do find it challenging due to me being autistic, but the competition gave me a good incentive. The awards and exhibition night was great, thank you so much for your comments about my work & the awards I received, it means so much to me that people actually like my photography.” Nicole Valente
“I’d love to get involved for next year’s competition or things like running workshops for young people! “ Omar Barchetta
“Pensioners like us cry out for companionship. It is wonderful to witness how many meaningful connections amongst elderly lonely people have been made possible through the existence of and the activities of The Peel, including this community photography project. My best wishes to the competition and heartfelt thanks to the organisers. “ Anthony Tam
“Clerkenwell is a photographer’s paradise, and it is the variety and beauty of its surroundings, its buildings and its people that make this corner of London so special. Long may it be that way. I would encourage everyone to keep taking photos, however ordinary you may think, to record our area for prosperity as everything around us is changing so quickly. Before you know it will have disappeared forever.” Cedric D’Amico