Sudipto Das Environmental Photographer of the Year 2007

Press Release:
Over 600 international amateur and professional photographers entered this year’s Environmental Photographer of the Year competition held by CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. Entries to six categories were judged by some of the most respected environmental photographers in the industry, including Gary Braasch, winner of the Ansel Adams Award for Conservation Photography, Anthony Epes and Ronnie Israel.

Sudipto Das became the Environmental Photographer of the Year after his image Hard World won the Urban Environment category and was then selected by Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Baroness Barbara Young, as the overall winner.

Baroness Barbara Young said "This photograph brings home just how many people are excluded from access to good environments due to poverty. This is a beautiful and heartbreaking image."

As Environmental Photographer of the Year, Sudipto received £500 courtesy of competition sponsor, Black and Veatch, the global engineering, consulting and construction company. On receiving his award, Sudipto said “My photograph is one of the most interestingly candid photographs I have ever taken in my career. It portrays the socio-economic condition of third world countries - lack of housing, inappropriate hygiene and unhealthy environments increase the risk of exposure to diseases and street violence for poor children such as the boy in the picture.”

“I am grateful to the honourable judges who have selected my photograph for the coveted title of Environmental Photographer of the Year 2007 and I want to give thanks to CIWEM for creating such a big platform from which to promote such important issues.”

The other category winners were Yuan Van Hoorickx’s Pyramid of Horses for Arts and the Environment; Ian Nelson’s Waiting for the Freeze for Changing Climates; Wacharachat Vaiyaboon’s When the Sand Washed Away for Conservation and Biodiversity; Stuart Meikle’s Foraging for Social Environment; and Rob Eavis’ Alien Cave Passage for Technology and Innovation.

This is the fifth year for the photography competition, which is run by CIWEM, The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, and seeks to honour photographers who use their ability to raise awareness of environmental and social issues. Winners were presented with their awards at a champagne reception in London by Sir John Harman, Chairman of the Environment Agency.