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Highly specialised photography produced by students who have completed a unique Masters degree in Biological Photography and Imaging is to go on show to the public for the very first time.
As the pioneering one-year science based course enters its 10th year the exhibition will celebrate the work of former students who have gone on to careers in biological research, wildlife photography, medical imaging, film making and writing. It will showcase their skills in microscopy, digital imaging and image manipulation and specialist camera techniques.
The exhibition, at the Lakeside Arts Centre on University Park, is open to the public from Wednesday November 17 until Monday November 29 2010.
On the walls of the Wallner Gallery in the DH Lawrence Pavilion will be just some of the vast catalogue of images former students have built up over the last decade. Many other images are included in a special slide show presentation which will also feature clips of films made by graduates.
As well as equipping students with a remarkable range of camera skills the course, run by the School of Biology at The University of Nottingham, also provides them with training in business management and web design. It culminates in a summer project designed to produce a major piece of work — a coffee table book, research thesis, documentary film or similar which brings together the planning, writing, production, image capture and editing skills learned during the course. These highly professional products are frequently the key to students gaining employment in a competitive global job market.
The exhibition is being held in recognition of the late Brian Case who founded the course 19 years ago as a module for undergraduate biology students. He went on to establish the MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging with the help of teaching support specialist David McMahon.
Today the Masters degree offers 16 hotly contested places to students with scientific backgrounds in genetics, biology, zoology, environmental sciences, biochemistry and biosciences. It is so popular that former students need little encouragement to return as mentors and part time teachers.
The new course director Dr Kate Durrant said: “I’m very excited to see our student’s work on display. They put so much time and effort in and it’s wonderful to see the diversity of achievement from our former students over the past 10 years. It’s a real tribute to Brian’s dedication to the course. I hope the public enjoy the works and perhaps a few will be inspired to join our course in the future.”
As well as photographic studios and a microscopy suite students have access to the School of Biology’s mini natural history museum under the care of its own part-time curator. The School has also recently invested in state of the art digital equipment for 3D, ultraviolet and infra-red imaging.
Information about the photographers and film makers exhibiting is below.
Luke Saddler — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2009)
Luke’s background is in marine biology, but his interests have diversified out of the ocean and now encompass the wider terrestrial world. He is currently working as a research associate for The University of Nottingham's Archaeology department developing a fully accessible database of fish bones for national and international use. He also returns to the School of Biology to teach film-making techniques to both masters and undergraduate students.
www.lukesaddler.com
Alex Hyde — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2007)
Alex Hyde is a professional natural history photographer based in the Peak District National Park. Alex's in-depth knowledge of natural history underpins his imaging, allowing him to capture intimate portraits of wildlife in its natural habitat. During his career, Alex has established himself as an expert in macro photography.
www.alexhydephotography.com
Charlie Richards — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2003)
Charlie Richards is a London-based photographer who specialises in food and lifestyle photography for a mixture of editorial and commercial clients, including Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, M&S, Essentials Magazine and The Telegraph. Charlie also shoots personal, biological-related projects which are currently work in progress.
www.charlierichards.com
Bryan Wormley — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2009)
Bryan T Wormley is a professional photographer based in Bristol, UK. Since graduating in 2009 Bryan has worked for The University of Nottingham and was commissioned to photograph the zoology collection. He is currently studying for his postgraduate degree in education at the University of Bristol and has been chosen to teach students with special educational needs and to visit children in third world countries such as Gambia, West Africa.
www.bryanwormley.com
Frankie Buckle — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2008)
Since graduating Frankie has encouraged people to think about scientific concepts and ideas when they enter an art gallery in order to inspire a wider audience to appreciate science. She is also interested in how scientific imaging techniques can be used to create visual art. She has exhibited work at the New Art Exchange, Nottingham and is planning to exhibit some more of artwork in London in 2011.
www.frankiebuckle.com
Kelly Neaves — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2004)
After completing her M.Sc. Kelly spent a couple of years teaching part-time on the M.Sc. course and working in Nottingham as a freelance photographer. After that she completed a PhD at Cambridge University where she imaged DNA using an Atomic Force Microscope. She is now in London working for Windfall Films, a TV production company that specialises in producing factual science documentaries. The M.Sc. from Nottingham gave her a fantastic skill set that she has continued to use throughout all aspects of her varied career.
www.kellyneaves.co.uk
Helen Walsh — MSc in Biological Photography and Imaging (graduated 2002)
One of the first students to graduate from the Masters, Helen has worked across the conservation sector, helping various organisations to share their messages about the environment. Now working as a freelance photographer, designer and writer at Lonely Cottage Productions, she is able to inspire people to help wildlife by combining her creative flair with her love of the natural world.
www.lonelycottage.co.uk
Pictures courtesy of Alex Hyde: Swallow tailed moth and Zebra spider
— Ends —
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