22 June 2018
Jen Rowlands' photo of rare and native North Ronaldsay and Dartmoor sheep was one of the winning images in the 2017 photo competition
After a highly
successful photography competition last year that saw over 600 entries from
hundreds of vets and vet nurses, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has launched its much-anticipated 2018 ‘BVA Veterinary photographer
of the year' competition, inviting members of the profession to get clicking in
the run up to World Photography Day on 19 August.
Last year's
competition saw photographs span a range of subjects from across the UK and
overseas, from a common basilisk in Costa Rica and cattle during a TB testing
day on the island of Arran, to a meerkat undergoing a vasectomy and a
veterinary podiatrist at work. Small animal vet Mandy Knight's photo ‘Happy
Gastrotomy' and mixed-practice vet Jen Rowland's photo of rare and
native North Ronaldsay and Dartmoor sheep grazing under the milky way in
Northumberland took top honours in
their respective categories.
In January this year,
BVA was also invited to showcase 22 of the most commended photographs at an exhibition
in the Houses of Parliament, to give MPs and Peers a unique insight into the
varied and vital roles performed by veterinary surgeons today.
This year's
competition, which is open to all BVA members, seeks images that highlight the
human-animal bond within a veterinary practice as well as photos of pets or
wildlife taken outside of the working environment. Submissions should promote
responsible animal interaction as well positive animal health and welfare.
Photos can be submitted under one of two categories:
- Human-animal bond
- All creatures great and
small
An expert panel of
judges from the veterinary and photography worlds, including award-winning
wildlife photographer David Tipling, will judge this year's entries. For the
first time, BVA members will get the chance to select their favourite entry for
the Members' Choice Award, which will be open to votes from 27 August to 10
September.
The winner in each
category will receive a £250 John Lewis gift voucher and get the chance to have
their photographs displayed at BVA Members' Day in September, at
other BVA events and used in BVA communications.
British Veterinary
Association President John Fishwick said:
“The photo
competition has created quite a buzz within the veterinary community since it
launched two years ago. I have been delighted and amazed by the sheer range,
quantity and quality of photographs submitted by our members so far and look
forward to this year's submissions.
“We are all
passionate about animal health and welfare, so the way we interact with and
capture images of the animal world offers a unique perspective, one that we
were proud to showcase to members of parliament earlier this year. Whether you
enjoy taking photos on your phone or have all the latest photography equipment,
I would encourage all my colleagues within the veterinary family to give it a
go and get clicking.”
The competition closes at
midnight on 19 August.
