DSRF Ambassador Andrew Bingham Wins Judges’ Choice Award in International Photography Competition

Andrew Bingham from Canada won the Judges’ Choice Award in an international photography and short film competition. 

Andrew’s work was of an incredibly high standard and captured the imagination of the judges. His image Spinning to the Top won in the Adult category of the Down’s Syndrome Association’s My Perspective international photography competition.

On winning Andrew said: “This makes me excited and proud.” Andrew and his family travelled to London in the UK for the awards evening. 

He added, “I enjoy taking photographs because it can be so creative and I like capturing images of my life.”

When asked what inspires him, Andrew shared: “I was first inspired by my parents’ enthusiasm and by the creative talent of other artists. During a school photography course, I had an email correspondence with photographer Ted VanCleave. He encouraged me to always have my camera with me.”

About his winning image, Spinning to the Top, the finalist said: “The photo shows a frozen moment from a carnival swing. Ride passengers are suspended in the air, almost defying gravity.”

a photograph looking upwards at the swing ride at Vancouver's Playland; a large thin tower with a star atop it and a dozen seats outstretched against a clear blue sky

The My Perspective competition is open to people who have Down syndrome from across the world. This year, entries came from as far away as Guatemala, India, South Africa, Australia and the USA and included adult and child categories as well as a short film category.

The finalists were invited to attend a special awards ceremony in London at the historic Normansfield Theatre in the Langdon Down Centre on 7 November where the winners in the following categories were announced:

  • Judges’ Choice Award – Adult and Child – Andrew Bingham and Lottie Lambert
  • People’s Choice Award – Adult and Child – Janelle Chetty and Ezra Tewodros
  • Stephen Thomas Award – Tiana Legge
  • Short Film – Parvana Huseynli

The Down’s Syndrome Association’s My Perspective competition aims to give people who have Down syndrome the opportunity to showcase the world through their eyes. Rather than being the focus of the images, here photographers with the condition have flipped the lens and have a chance to use the images they have captured to convey stories that are most important to them.

Reprinted with permission by the the Down’s Syndrome Association. For more information about possible interviews and hi-res images, please contact the DSA Press Office: DSAPress.Office@downs-syndrome.org.uk