Selected from 3,000 entries from over 115 nations, Fayz (Sixth Form, HH)’s bold portrayal of the circular nature of life between humans and wildlife, and prevalent environmental issues, secured him first prize in the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management’s long-established photography competition. Fayz’s winning photograph, Beautiful But Hostile Colours On Earth, was taken during a trip to the Rift Valley in the summer of 2022, where he had the opportunity to photograph the lakes on a helicopter safari. Lake Magadi and Lake Natron once made up the single freshwater body of the Magadi Basin, home to many species of fish and animals – now the lakes are severely alkaline and toxic to most life

The photo was praised for its classical composition whilst managing to also tell a very modern story of the climate crisis in the Rift Valley. One of the competition’s jurors said of the picture: “I love the way the movement and different colours combine to create a unique pattern in this wonderful image. While the beauty of the image catches your eye, reading the caption opens your eyes to a sad reality. The image is both compelling and frightening in the way it shows that something beautiful can be toxic and dangerous at the same time.”

Fayz’s love for photography and his determination to encapsulate the ever-changing environment, and the beauty and vulnerability that surrounds us, started at age ten when he became interested in learning more about techniques and composition, and above all the patience that is required to capture the perfect shot. Since then, he has made it his mission to photograph endangered animals and tribes, with an emphasis on Africa.

He said: “Just being shortlisted was a huge honour for me… and then to win the Young Environmental Photographer of the Year award from people who care so deeply about the environment was more than a dream come true. The fact that my image comes from a part of the world that fascinates me was the icing on the cake!”

“My main focus in photography has been on endangered animals and tribes — especially in Africa. There is a certain purity and realness about Africa which I have always struggled to put into words, but I feel it within myself clearly — the arresting beauty of large expanses like the Masai Mara, the majesty of the animals and the warmth of the people. I suppose one could say it is some combination of these things that both inspires me to take photographs that freeze time… and is a reminder that we must protect our planet from the senseless damage happening around us every day.”