Winner of the Charles Skene Street Portrait Photography Award revealed

Ethan Williams, who studies BA Photography at Gray’s School of Art, took first prize in the competition, which aims to highlight the city, its people and communities.

Local entrepreneur and former Governor of RGU, Professor Charles Skene CBE put his name to the prize in the hope that his own photography career could inspire the next generation to pick up a camera.

Ethan Williams, who received his award at a ceremony at Gray’s School of Art on Friday 14 March, said: “The Charles Skene Street Portrait Photography Award was a great opportunity to showcase Union Street, its architecture, and the people within it. Through my work, I wanted to showcase that people are at the very heart of Union Street – the community makes the street what it is.

“The aim of my work was to invite the viewer to slow down and pay attention to the people in my images. If I can encourage the viewer to appreciate each person individually, this may encourage them to do the same on the street.”

Professor Skene said: “I am delighted to encourage students at Gray’s to experience street portrait photography, and grateful to Gray’s for organising the event. I was impressed by the quality of the entries, and hope that all students are able to pursue an artistically and commercially rewarding career in photography”.

Fiona Stephen, BA Photography Lecturer at Gray’s School of Art, said: “Ethan’s image perfectly captures everyday life on Union Street, the community and architecture.

“There are a lot of changes happening in Aberdeen city centre now, and Ethan has shown that it’s a busy and vibrant area with a bright future.

“All of the entries to The Charles Skene Street Portrait Photography Award were of an extremely high standard, and each showcases the fantastic talent we have at Gray’s.”

Students were challenged to produce street portraits that capture the people of Aberdeen within the city centre. Complementing the regeneration of Union Street, the competition, which was launched in January aims to highlight the centre of Aberdeen and portray the people of Aberdeen.