Wednesday, 25 September 2019
One of the largest ever wildlife, landscape and natural history exhibitions will be opening at Highfields Park in Nottingham this week.
The Biological Photography & Imaging Photography Exhibition 2019 called - ‘Ponder on Life’ - opens on Friday 27 September 2019. It will feature 75 photographers and over 150 images which will be displayed on Highfields Park.
The exhibition is a collaborative project between the Biological Photography & Imaging Group at the University of Nottingham, Lakeside, the University’s Sustainability Committee and Nottingham City council.
Ponder on Life exhibition
Biological Photography & Imaging has been a stalwart of science communication and creativity at the University for over 50 years, 20 of those at post graduate level. Bridging the gap between art and science, students are empowered in scientific communication through photography, design and film making.
‘Ponder on Life’ is an exhibition featuring the work of BSc and MSc students and staff from the University’s Biological Photography and Imaging courses taught within the school of Life Sciences.
As part of their course, MSc students undertake a ten week study project allowing them to specialise in a specific area relevant to the course and their personal interest. This exhibition showcases a selection of the students’ portfolio of work and acts as a platform upon which they can demonstrate their photographic creativity and skill.
Ponder on Life exhibition
The course is designed to take existing scientific knowledge and passion and provide a skill set with which to communicate that passion to a wider audience. This skill set equips the student with the ability to communicate through various media, across many knowledge levels and in a fun, creative and informative manner.
The course is also designed for those who want to use their scientific background as a spring board into the creative industries. Previous students have gone on to very diverse roles and employment within the scientific and creative sectors.
The group was recently identified as ‘sector leading’ by the Royal Biological Society, and enjoys a close knit relationship with the Royal Photographic Society.
Ponder on Life exhibition
David McMahon, Director of Photography & Imaging Biological Photography at the University of Nottingham, said: “This exhibition has long been a dream of mine. To showcase the photography of the brilliant students that we have at the University of Nottingham and to showcase to the public the wonderful skills and creativity that they have developed over a very short period of time.
“Some students have never picked up a camera before, and yet within a term or academic year produce fantastic images like those on display in the exhibition. It is always so wonderful to see their hard work pay off in the output of such creative material, and it has been a wonderful experience to work alongside so many internal and external partners in bringing this to life, without the support of the University, Estates, Lakeside and the Council it would still be a dream.”
Ponder on Life exhibition
‘Ponder on Life’ was funded by the University of Nottingham’s Sustainability Committee's Environmental Initiative Fund.
More details on the launch of the exhibition can be found here.
Story credits
More information is available from Steve Galloway, Taught Course Specialist, Biological Photographing & Imaging, at Steven.galloway@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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