PHOTO COMPETITION 

FOCUSING ON FARM ANIMAL SENTIENCE

To help celebrate Compassion's 40th Anniversary, we launched an international photo competition, looking for images highlighting the sentience of farm animals – that is, to show that farm animals are thinking, feeling beings.

WINNER: TAMARA KENNEALLY

"Eye", Tamara Kenneally

We had exciting entries from four continents. The judging panel, which included award-winning professional photographer Michel Focard, gave winning place to the photograph "Eye" by Tamara Kenneally from Australia.The panel felt the image is most striking and symbolic of the plight of animals behind bars. Michel said: "The image is powerful and moving with very good composition. It is the best demonstration of how a good picture tells a story."

Tamara feels it is important that consumers are educated about intensive farming so they can make choices for themselves when shopping. "I find so much beauty and character in all animals, but it is the beauty of the much forgotten pig, sheep, cow and chicken that I’d love people to see more of."

Tamara has exhibited her photography - you can see more here.

Joint runners-up

Judit Levai and Karen Playford were awarded Joint Runner-Up.

Judit presented the wonderful "Happy Chickens". Judit Levai is a vet, as well as a talented photographer. "Happy Chickens" was taken at a family member‘s farm in Hungary and Michel said that it is "a beautiful picture of an inquisitive hen." He added: "The technique is excellent and the photographer is a master of the medium."

Karen Playford gave us the lovely image of "Mother and Calf".

Karen was complimented on the "very good composition of the image, showing a beautiful tender moment." Karen has just become "professional."

Highly commended

Judit Levai‘s photo "Farmed Pigs" was highly commended. This was taken on a hot day in Thailand and the pigs, in small cages without water, were being shipped to the mainland. This photo shows clearly why we must achieve live animal transport reform.

Commended

Chi Keung Wong: "Have a chat", Hainan Province, China

David Mills: "Bull on organic farm", County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Selection of competition entrants

We also chose a selection of other entries from the competition which show animal sentience. Some of the images show animals enjoying their lives and choosing to spend time with other animals. In contrast, Emily Donahue's photo of hens in cages demonstrates how factory farming keeps the animals in unacceptable conditions.