Young photographer scoops people’s choice in our competition
February 1, 2017
He hadn’t been born when the cement works at Shoreham ceased operations in 1991 but Isaac Kennedy’s photo of the now-derelict building has won him the People’s Choice award in the South Downs National Park’s photo competition 2016-17.
The 19-year-old won 40 per cent of the public vote for his bold and very modern image, contrasting the derelict industry of Shoreham Cement Works against the green rolling hills of the Adur Valley, which perfectly fitted this year’s theme of ‘Building the Landscape’. Isaac wins £100 in addition to his second prize of £150.
Steve Watkins, competition judge and Editor of Outdoor Photography Magazine, said: “There is so much to say about this photograph, it has immediate and graphic appeal. You could almost be in a church. There is so much skill in how this picture was taken and the story it tells of enduring landscapes and the temporary nature of a building – which only existed to mine and exploit the chalk these hills are made from.
Isaac Kennedy, said: “Since a young child I’ve passed the Shoreham Cement Works and always wondered what it would be like to venture inside. A little older now, I decided to follow my curiosity and, with the owner’s permission went in to the building. I was not disappointed. The way the evening light hit the top floor was magical.”
Open the gallery below to see all the shortlisted photos.