King’s Ely Sixth Form student wins reputable photography competition

Talented King’s Ely student Orla Simpson has been announced as the winner of a prestigious photography competition.

Orla, 17, a student at King’s Ely Sixth Form, has won the UK ILFORD PHOTO 2017/18 Student Competition, Lyrically Speaking, with her striking image based on the lyric 'Let's talk about freedom, everyone prays in the end' by award-winning musician Sam Smith.

From Alt-Rock to Old School Pop and Reggae, students from across the UK were tasked to take a song lyric and turn it into an image that inspires the viewer as much as the music itself. All entries were to have been photographed using ILFORD PHOTO or Kentmere black and white film.

As ever, hundreds of students entered and it was Orla’s stunning photograph that was judged to be the winning entry. Orla, who lives near Huntingdon, will receive a certificate from UK ILFORD PHOTO naming her Student Photographer of the Year 2017, £150 to spend on products of her choice from ILFORD and her image will be framed by UK ILFORD PHOTO.

Her image will also be put forward to their international competition which will be judged later this year. Orla’s image will be used in press releases and will also be posted on ILFORD’S Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and will be included on ILFORD’S online gallery and website.

Head of Photography at King’s Ely Senior, Antonio Longo, commented: “Orla’s achievement is even more impressive given that she had never shot film before starting her course. We are all extremely proud of her.”

Last year, King’s Ely Sixth Form student Charmaine Wong came runner up in the digital category of the competition.