NEWS RELEASE 17th September 2002 Photography shows Science is Art Winners of the 2002 Novartis and The Daily Telegraph Visions of Science Photographic Awards were presented with their awards by Lord May, President of The Royal Society, at an Awards Ceremony held at The Royal Society in London on September 17th. Above left: Brain secretory cells STEPHEN GSCHMEISSNER Above right: Nanotechnology CONEYL JAY The winning pictures show just how often the natural world provides inspiring and artistic photographic opportunities. The panel of judges was fascinated to see such beauty in science images as diverse as broken bones, nanotechnology, decaying leaves and quantum physics. They praised the pictures for their technical excellence, visual impact and ability to tell significant science stories. First time judge Sandra Lousada, from the Association of Photographers, said: "There were such interesting images and I can see the possibilities of how much more one could do to take pictures that stretch the imagination. I am not a scientist but what I realised was that almost anything you look at could be interpreted as science in some way or other". The twelve winners share the £6,000 of prizes, donated by the Science Photo Library and there were also seven highly commended images. In the strong 'Science Close-Up' category, winning images included brain cells, brittle bone disease, mildew on leaves and magnetic field lines in a rock sample - all unlikely subjects for the beauty, creativity and colour they achieved. The 'Science in Action' category was won by a photograph of a young student investigating pondweed. The judges chose this image for its sense of fun and ability to show the beginnings of scientific interest and understanding in young people. The 'Science Concepts' category winners chose to illustrate in creative and often colourful ways (generally using computer graphics), the topical issues of nanotechnology and human cloning. The 'Science as Art' category was once again one of the most popular categories and judges were spoilt for choice. A vividly coloured image produced from quantum physics research was chosen for its bold and arresting appeal, whilst beauty was also seen in a dramatic image showing black quartz growing on anhydrite. Visions of Science was set up by Novartis, in association with The Daily Telegraph and the Science Photo Library to expand understanding of science and healthcare and to find the best and most creative images in science today. Dr Adam Hart-Davis, TV presenter and a judge since the start of the competition said: "Visions of Science has established itself as a dynamic, beautiful and pioneering science project." The winning images will now form part of an exhibition, which will tour museums and science venues around the UK. To see the images and find out about the exhibition visit www.visions-of-science.co.uk. Editor's Notes: 1. Novartis has established the Visions of Science Photographic Awards as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting science in the UK. This is the third year of the competition. 2. The judging panel comprised: Bob Bodman Picture Editor, The Daily Telegraph Professor Raymond Clark   The Royal Photographic Society Professor Frank Close Physics Professor, Oxford University David Derbyshire Science Correspondent, The Daily Telegraph (Chair) Adam Goff Picture Editor, New Scientist Dr Harris Novartis Dr Adam Hart-Davis Photographer and TV Science Presenter Eric Jenkins British Institute of Professional Photography Sandra Lousada Association of Photographers Garry Swann Institute of Medical Illustrators 3. Novartis is a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care and animal health. In the UK alone, Novartis invests over £1 million every week in research and development. Headquartered in Basel, the group operates in over 100 countries. For more information visit www.novartis.co.uk 4. The Science Photo Library is the worldÕs leading provider of science imagery. Independent, privately owned and the only one of its kind in Britain, SPL is renowned for its high quality image, created by photographers, illustrators, scientists and medical specialists. For photographs contact Maria Storey, Marketing & Communications Director, Science Photo Library, 327-329 Harrow Road, London W9 3RB Tel: 020 7432 1100 Fax: 020 7286 8668 maria.storey@sciencephoto.com For an e-mail version of this press release, more details or to arrange an interview contact Patricia Lotery or Gill Gray, PoLo PR, 30 Shrewsbury Avenue, London SW14 8JZ Tel: 020 8876 4242 Fax: 020 8876 8900 e-mail: info@polopr.co.uk back to Press Releases