University of Lincoln student wins Best Action Shot in Unidays Student Photographer of the Year
A photography student is celebrating winning a national competition.
Callam Baker, a third-year photography student at the University of Lincoln, won Best Action Shot in the Unidays Student Photographer of the Year competition.
Callam submitted a photo of his cousin Jack in a kickboxing match and the young photographer regarded it as a “one in a million shot”, due to the composition of the two boxers.
Callam said: “The image is from my university third-year project called ‘Jackie Chaz: The Barnsley Brawler’ which was about my cousin, Jack, and his kickboxing career.
“When I take images of Jack, I get an adrenaline rush and feel proud as he is not only fighting for himself and his team but he is also fighting for his family.
“When I found out I had won the Unidays Photographer of the Year competition it was such a mix of emotions. I was ecstatic, overjoyed, proud and shocked all at the same time.”
Callam captured the winning photograph by standing next to the ring with his Canon camera and was granted special access to ringside due to Jack being his cousin.
The student has been interested in photography since Year 7 in secondary school, when his father bought him his first digital camera.
He then went to air shows to take aviation photographs and his interest grew from there.
Later on, Callam then studied photography at GCSE and onto a BA Hons in photography at university.
The guest judge of the competition was award-winning photographer and conservationist Matt Porteous, who praised the clarity and composition of Callam’s shot.
He said: “The composition in this photograph is outstanding, capturing the intense action and emotion of the fight with exceptional clarity.
“The dynamic interaction between the fighters, highlighted by the expert use of backlighting, vividly brings out the drama and physical exertion.
“The sweat caught in mid-air and the strategic reflection in the background enhance the visual impact and add depth to the storytelling.
“This image is a testament to personal and athletic struggle, beautifully encapsulated in a high-stakes moment.”