A TWILIGHT image of Darlington’s Brick Train sculpture has won its young photographer a coveted slot on a calendar that puts the town in the spotlight.
Laurie Nicholson, of Shildon, not only got her wheelchair positioned to capture the sculpture at the best angle but also waited for the perfect moment as the sun dropped to take her shot.
She said: “I really like sunsets and I just caught the tail end of it that day. I used a 15 second exposure and it turned out better than I expected. The Brick Train makes me think of Darlington, so I was very happy with the picture.”
Laurie, 19, was one of a number of second year level 3 Darlington College students on the University of Arts London art and design course who took up a challenge laid down by Darlington Rotary Club.
They were given three weeks to find the perfect photograph of ‘My Darlington’ for a charity calendar in an initiative supported by members of Darlington Building Society.
Chair of Darlington Rotary Club’s youth services committee Sue Campbell said: “With Darlington Building Society covering the print costs all the proceeds will go back into the local community to support charitable causes.
“It’s a win win project because the students have gained the experience of a live professional brief and at the same time benefited from published work that can form part of their portfolios, while Rotary makes invaluable contacts with young people.”
Darlington Building Society’s marketing and product insights manager Mathew Sutcliffe, who was on the judging panel, said: “The students produced a wide range of images, many iconic views of Darlington, to a very high standard.”
The other students whose images were chosen for the final calendar were Aidan Eames, Lucy Siddique, Nicole Adams, Zoe Thorburn, Holly Tate, Caitlin Smith, and, with two images each, James Peacock, Lewis Hardy and Jordan Ormerod.
Their work included images of the River Skerne, South Park, Mechanics’ Institute, Bank Top Station, Broken Scar and the Hippodrome.
Darlington College tutor Eric Walsh said: “Students study photography as part of their course, which also includes graphics and design.
“They were asked to find scenes which portrayed the borough in a positive light and meant something to them. They were lucky in being blessed with some great weather and they have captured some lovely images.”
Also on the judging panel were Rotarians chief executive of Citizens’ Advice Bureau Neeraj Sharma, print specialist Tony Marshall and photographer Derek Risbey.
Calendars can be obtained from Darlington College, Darlington Building Society branches or by contacting Darlington Rotary Club on 07973 367004 or through the Rotary Facebook page.
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk