Arts University Plymouth photography student Oscar Black wins Young APOY prize

<p>The 18-year-old Plymouth student is in his second year of Pre-Degree Photography on the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Photography</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/oscarblackphoto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oscar Black</a> was recognised for the image in results published by <a href="https://amateurphotographer.com/latest/photo-news/take-a-look-at-the-best-photographs-youll-see-this-month/">Amateur Photographer</a>, which described the work as “a beautifully executed low-key portrait” and praised its lighting, sensitivity and meditative quality.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><em>Silent Reflection </em>stood out in a highly competitive open category that invited young photographers to submit work across any subject or style.</p> <p dir="ltr">Oscar said the image was about “capturing a moment of thoughtfulness, and perhaps vulnerability”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought that you could almost hear the silence in the photo, hence naming it <em>Silent Reflection</em>,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">For Oscar, the award is a big moment in what he describes as an “unexpected” journey into photography.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Winning a competition like this is huge for me, and just goes to show how important it is to not undervalue your work and to take the leap and submit your images to competitions. It has inspired me to explore portraiture in more depth.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Oscar is studying at Arts University Plymouth’s <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/study/pre-degree">Pre-Degree &amp; Sixth Form campus</a>, where students on the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Photography develop technical and creative skills through studio work, location shooting, digital processes and professional practice.</p> <p dir="ltr">His route into photography has been, in his words, “an unexpected one”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I came to Arts University Plymouth planning on studying Art &amp; Design, since I also work in ceramics, however I ended up choosing photography instead,” he said. “I started this having never used a camera before, and spent hours online learning, reading camera manuals and watching videos to learn how to control the camera.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Oscar said that the process of learning independently helped him build confidence in both shooting and editing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I now know my camera inside out and feel like my determination to learn has helped massively in improving the way I work, not only at the photo taking stage but also in the post processing and editing process.”<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Winning this award places Oscar’s work in front of a much wider audience and highlights the quality of creative practice being developed by young photographers in Plymouth.</p> <p dir="ltr">Oscar said studying at Arts University Plymouth has helped create a range of opportunities for his work.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Studying at Pre-Degree at Arts University Plymouth has been great for offering lots of brilliant opportunities,” he said. “Not only has it led to me winning this competition, but through this course I have also gotten commissioned work with the University of Plymouth, won the NHS CDC competition for students, and had the chance to work with the National Marine Aquarium and have my images displayed by the Ocean Conservation Trust. It has been great fun and I am very grateful for the support and insight from the tutors on my course.”</p> <p>At Arts University Plymouth, Pre-Degree students are supported to explore their own interests and ambitions while gaining the skills, confidence and experience to progress into higher education or the creative industries. For students interested in photography, our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">Photography Extended Diploma</a> route offers a practical, specialist environment in which to build both technical ability and a personal way of seeing.</p>