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Some of the finest budding photographers have been recognised for their work at a prestigious awards ceremony, thanks to a panel of judges including MNA chief photographer Tim Thursfield.

Schoolchildren from across Wolverhampton were honoured for their bright, thoughtful and impressive photography skills at Wolverhampton Grammar School.

Organised by Wolverhampton Photographic Society, almost 300 young people entered the competition, doubling the number of entries from last year.

Judged by three photographic experts, including four time MNA Real Award winner Tim Thursfield, the hundreds of entries were reduced to a final 10, before the top three were announced at the awards evening.

Pictured are winners of the Wolverhampton Young Photographer of the Year, Natasha Rodrigues, front, with category winners, back, from left, Lyla Harris, Simi Kaur, Emily Rodwell and Sam Jones.

All of the top three were presented with a certificate, while the winner of each category was also given a £50 cash prize. This year there was an under 15 category, followed by four categories covering different photography styles – creative, open, portrait and reflection.

The four winners from those categories were then up for the overall award, with that artist receiving a trophy and being crowned Wolverhampton Young Photographer 2018.

Rob Cowell, chairman of Wolverhampton Photographic Society, said: “The whole idea of this competition is to inspire young people to get hold of a camera, go out and think about what they’re taking.

“If we just inspire one person a year to go into photography then that would be a success.

“It’s vitally important for young people to get involved. There is some real skill in the photos we have here, it’s fantastic.

“It gives them confidence to put their ideas forward and it takes a lot to come on a night like this and wonder if you’re going to win. Everybody achieved so much.

“The judges were unanimous that the standard of the work for the age group was extremely high.” Natasha Rodrigues was thrilled when she picked up first place in the portrait category with her piece titled Rembrandt.

But the 18-year-old from Ormiston New Academy was soon shocked when she was named Wolverhampton Young Photographer 2018.

She said: “I can’t believe it, I really didn’t think I’d win, let alone win one category and then the overall category. The school and my teachers got me into photography in the first place.”

The winner in the under 15 category was 13-year-old Lyla Harris with her photo titled London Bridge in Motion.

After picking up the gong, the Saint Matthias School pupil is planning to continue with her snaps.

The winner in the creative category was 18-year-old Simi Kaur with her piece titled Abandoned III.

The Wolverhampton Grammar School student said: “My mum was so happy when it was announced that I had won, I really didn’t expect it.

Fellow grammar school student Sam Jones, 16, was the winner in the reflection category for his clever illusion piece titled Empty.

Ormiston New Academy student Emily Rodwell, 17, won the open category with her photo, New Beginnings.

The final Schools Award, new for this year, and was presented to the school with the most children in the top three, which was Ormiston New Academy.