the-BA : Illuminating our colourful world

A stunning image of a clam’s siphon is amongst the winners of the Illuminate competition, held as part of National Science Week with the aim of “capturing the colour in science”. Shot in actinic light (similar to ultraviolet (UV) light) by amateur photographer John Clipperton from Cheshire, the photograph illuminates the siphon’s “iridophores”, which protect the clam from UV radiation. The image was joint winner of the over-16 category.

Equally colourful, but very different in style, is Peter Curry’s simple, but effective photograph of sugar mice, joint winner of the 8-12 category. As Peter, from Greater London, described his image: ‘Sugar mice are mostly made out of sugar and water and a little bit of glucose – so they would come out white unless artificial colouring is added. The colouring is usually combined with flavouring.’

Illuminate, organised by the BA and the Economic & Social Research Council, was launched in the run-up to National Science Week and the winners are announced today. The winning entries are being displayed at the Dana Centre, London, throughout National Science Week and can be viewed online.

‘The diversity of images was very striking, reflecting the fact that science and the social sciences touch on every aspect of our lives,’ says Roland Jackson, Chief Executive of the BA, which coordinates National Science Week. ‘The winning entries in the “Illuminate” competition will hopefully make people stop and look again at what they see everyday and explore the science that is implicit in our surroundings.’

As well as focusing on the colour in science, the competition asked people to consider the social science, such as anthropology and economics, which show how humans interact with the world around them. Joint winner of the ESRC category was Scott Keir’s image of brightly-coloured Filipino banners outside Earls Court Underground station in London.

‘Colour and culture go hand in hand,’ explained Scott, describing his image. ‘At a street party in the predominantly Filipino community part of Earls Court, London, brightly-coloured banners and flags adorn the streets. They billow gently just yards from the austere hues of that traditional British establishment, the Underground. Such colour and designs enable cultures to assert their identity, and claim spaces as their own.’

The winners are as follows:

Over-16 years
John Clipperton, Cheshire (Joint winner)
Vanessa Shankland, Mid Glamorgan (Joint winner)

13-16 years
Jack McStay, County Down

8-12 years
Tara Watkiss, Greater London (Joint winner)
Peter Curry, Greater London (Joint winner)

4-7 years
Alice Easey, Cambridgeshire

Best mobile phone picture
Meg Pickard, Greater London

ESRC category for social science
Joanne Vickery, Pembrokeshire (Joint winner)
Scott Keir, Greater London (Joint winner)

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