Tonbridge School welcomed professional photographer and conservationist Paul Goldstein to judge the annual Tonbridge Photography competition. The event was organised for the first time during lockdown in order to encourage the boys to venture outside and capture the local wildlife in action.
Biology teacher and event organiser, Bill Burnett, said “We’ve always looked for images that showed real effort, creativity and a spirit of curiosity, with this year’s shortlists including a variety of great shots of wildlife such as goats, crabs, a hedgehog and a grebe, as well as some stunning landscapes”.
After reviewing the entries, Paul declared Charlie (MH2) the winner for his cleverly composed photograph of a hermit crab at sunset. This image was humorous and technically impressive with a low angle shot that helped him achieve a razor-sharp focus on the crab's eyes, despite the deliberate use of a very narrow depth of field. Charlie then received his prize, a signed copy of Goldstein’s book, which showcased a selection of stunning images of big cats.
After the competition, Paul delivered an inspiring and witty presentation about what makes a 'good shot' to three hundred attendees from the Parents’ Arts Society. He cleverly critiqued entries from the prior photography competition to the audience, bringing both humour and insight to his review.