Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year 2023

Claire Tytler – Life in the City Portfolio
BA (Hons) Fine Art, University of Dundee (DJCAD)


© Claire Tytler - Life in the City Portfolio

© Claire Tytler - Life in the City Portfolio

© Claire Tytler - Life in the City Portfolio

Claire said: "I was not expecting to win this award, and I am very honoured and grateful to have been chosen by the judges to win Student Scottish Nature Photographer of the Year!

"My portfolio, Life in the City, is a series of photographs that explore nature in the setting of a city, specifically Dundee, where I am currently studying after moving from Renfrewshire. I wanted to show how nature and wildlife can adapt and live in a densely populated human space, so I wandered around the city looking at how nature exists there. My photographs focused on the small and often overlooked nature that we exist alongside, from a simple tree that could not be left alone without the presence of humans being left in its bark, a curious pigeon that was safely up out of the reach of humans watching as people go about their everyday lives, and a small plant that was able to adapt and use human infrastructure to make its home. It really shows how we humans coexist with nature in our everyday lives without really noticing it, even in our busiest spaces.

"It was also just fun to explore the city of Dundee in a much more extensive way than I had previously, and with this being my 4th and final year at university and in Dundee, it really allowed me to appreciate the details of Dundee in a new light while also allowing me to continue to practise my photography skills."

Judge Niall Irvine said: "The judges liked Claire's interpretation of coexistence within a city. The portfolio highlights small details that we pass by every day, yet they are interwoven with our lives. A very worthy winner of the Student Scottish Nature Photography Award."

Janice Aitken, Reader in Art & Design at the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and Claire's tutor, said: “We are delighted with Claire's success. She showed an avid interest in landscape photography when she worked on her photography project with me, and her ability to find natural beauty and interest in an urban environment was evident through her work then.

 “It is wonderful to see that ability being recognised with this prize.”

2nd: Raymond Davies – Continuing Failure To Coexist Portfolio
Professional Photography (HN1), Edinburgh College

© Raymond Davies  – Continuing Failure To Coexist Portfolio


© Raymond Davies  – Continuing Failure To Coexist Portfolio


© Raymond Davies  – Continuing Failure To Coexist Portfolio

3rd: Sharon Macpherson – Beauty & Destruction Portfolio
HNC Photography, New College Lanarkshire

© Sharon Macpherson  – Beauty & Destruction Portfolio


© Sharon Macpherson  – Beauty & Destruction Portfolio


© Sharon Macpherson  – Beauty & Destruction Portfolio

Shortlisted:

Clarissa Gurd



Environmental category
Natural Abstract category
Scottish Botanical category
Scottish Landscape - The Land category
Scottish Landscape - Sea & Coast category
Scottish Landscape - Urban Greenspace category
Scottish Wildlife Behaviour category
Scottish Wildlife Portrait category
Junior category
Student category
Scottish Nature Video Award 2023