A PHOTOGRAPHY student has scooped a national award with this visual take on life at York College.

A-Level photography student Freddy Bulmer, 18, won first prize in the Colleges On Camera competition.

The high-profile photographic competition from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) encouraged learners to capture the spirit of their college in one shot.

Freddy’s winning photograph, which was judged by a panel of experts from the worlds of education and architecture, shows the impact the £60 million investment in York College has had on him and his fellow students. Freddy said: “It has always been second nature for me to pick up a camera, and with this competition I wanted to capture something a bit different in my photograph, in particular the hussle-bussle of college life, the work aspect and also the emotions of the students who study in the space.”

One of the judges, renowned photographer Sir Colin Hampden-White, said: “Everyone on the panel was extremely impressed with how the stunning image frames the students and captures the dynamic nature of college life.

“It is a technically difficult image to perfect but Freddy has done a very good job. The image looks like a still from a play; a dramatic tableau emphasised by the presence of the theatre in the background.”

Tom Rodgers, photography tutor at the college, said: “I am very pleased for Freddy. He is a good photography student and deserves recognition for his work. Freddy hopes to set up his own photography business on leaving college. His winning prize is a photographer’s kit bag worth more than £2,500. He and his fellow students will also benefit from a master class by Sir Colin at York College.