A BRADFORD photography student has been picked from hundreds of entries to make the final of a prestigious national photography competition.

Two photographs taken by Paul Maguire, who is studying for a photography degree at Bradford School of Art, have been shortlisted in the final of the Association of Photographers’ Student Awards 2018.

The awards celebrate the best photography students across the country. The awards are divided into three categories; people, places and things.

Mr Maguire has made the shortlist in two of the three areas. His shot of a visitor in the window of The Hepworth art gallery in Wakefield made the final in the ‘people’ category, and his black-and-white image of the sea wall in Blackpool was chosen in the ‘places’ category.

More than 1,500 entries were submitted by photography students from colleges and universities the length and breadth of the UK, and were whittled down to 20 finalists for each category by a panel of judges.

Mr Maguire’s images unfortunately missed out on claiming the top spot at the awards, but are both on show at the Association of Photographers’ Student Awards exhibition, which is being held at the Wex Photo Video Gallery in London until the end of this month.

Mr Maguire, who has just completed the first year of his degree at the School of Art, which is part of Bradford College, said: “It was fantastic to see two of my images shortlisted for this year’s competition.

“The Association of Photographers received more than 1,500 entries so I was amazed when I received confirmation that I had been selected to attend the awards evening in London.

“The exhibition containing the final images was of a very high standard and it was great to connect with students and lecturers from all over the country.

“The experience has given me the confidence to enter more competitions and push on with my photography journey.

“I would like to thank my lecturers Sally Robinson and Andy Vaines for their support and guidance during my first year of studies. I look forward to years two and three.”

Sally Robinson, programme leader for photography at the Bradford School of Art, praised Mr Maguire for his achievement.

She said: “The Association of Photographers is an internationally-respected, industry-focused photography organisation.

“From more than a thousand student entries from colleges and universities all over the country the best 20 were chosen for each category and for Paul to have had two entries progress to the final is very impressive.

“Paul attended the awards ceremony and had the chance to network with the judges, who are all respected commercial photographers in their own field, as well as meeting other industry professionals.”

Mr Maguire attended the awards ceremony at Wex Photo Video in Whitechapel, London, on June 27, where the winners of each category were revealed.

This year the Association of Photographers is marking its 50th anniversary of working for professional photgraphers.