1st prize winner, Alma Rosaz: “Inspiration came from reminiscing life before Covid-19. Creating kitsch and theatrical situations in surroundings we were all dreaming of while confined in our homes acted as an escape for me. Not being allowed to see anyone, the only models available were myself and my partner”.
Positive View Foundation launched the competition ‘Lockdown: Taking a Positive View’ back in May as an opportunity for young people aged 16-25 to document, record and expose the issues they have had to contend with during the coronavirus lockdown.
The competition attracted over 3,500 photography submissions and is the UK's first high-profile photography prize exclusively focused on young people, many of whom have grown up in disadvantaged backgrounds.
For the majority, participating in this unique competition has been the first time that they have discovered the power of photography as a means of expressing their hidden creative skills. Mental health has been and still is a huge issue for everyone, especially through these stressful times and it was felt that the power of photography was a good way for the young people to express themselves, or just to focus on a project to keep them busy through these trying times.
Members of the judging panel are renowned UK photographers: Nadav Kander; Lucy Mohr; Simon Roberts; Richard Young; with Lucia Power, Awards Executive of the Positive View Foundation as the non-voting chair.
Images: Alma Rosaz (24), Dreaming Of The Beach; Flo Hendricks (17), Florentine's Quarantine
