Vote for your choice in our photography competition 'Through My Eyes'...
Through My Eyes
Open theme: share how you see the world — your city, culture, daily life, studies. Any subject, any style.
We would like to thank all students who took the time to share their creativity and submit their photographs. We have received 17 entries, each offering a unique perspective and story through the lens of student life.
The gallery is now open for voting, and we invite you to explore the submissions and vote for your three favourite photographs. Your votes will help determine which entries progress to the finalist stage and are showcased in a special exhibition in the Main Atrium.
Voting is open until 15 June. Thank you for supporting our student photographers, and good luck to all participants!
Vote for your favourite images
The Vacant Swing
Life is a series of contradictions, a balancing act with which we try somewhere to find harmony - like how a swing can remain vacant as passers-by remain engrossed in their evening walk, yet a synergy, a compromise, can be discovered in their shared duality; or how beyond a foregrounding landscape of snow and cold, rages a fiery, energetic sunset.
Jake Wall, BA (Hons) Photography
The Night Through My Eyes
These pictures were taken as we returned from a boat ride at sunset in Prague, when the city was slowly fading into twilight.
Anmol Saini, International Business Management
Cinematic — The Sign
Standing Still — The Tram
Time — The Clock Tower
Three moments captured on film in Amsterdam.
Alexandria Gledhill, International Tourism Management
Best Friends
Three moments captured on film in Amsterdam.
Rahlana Allen, BA (Hons) Photography
Mistaken Reflection
This photo was taken at Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. It shows the top branches of trees that have been partially submerged by the rising lake water. Through my eyes, I see nature surrounding me everywhere I live. I never lose the sense of appreciation I have towards nature, especially because I am living here as an immigrant, and in my home country, Pakistan, this is not something everyone has access to. In a metaphorical sense, the image depicts resilience: even after being submerged, the tallest tips of the trees still rise above the waterline.
Shifa Ahsan, BSc Psychology
Serenity
An image that captures the beauty, peace and quiet that we all long for to quiet the noise in our minds.
Jesutofunmi Adesanya, MBA Global
The Skies
Capturing Moments in Time.
Clara Ogorchukwu Oyemike, BSc Adult Nursing
Where the Light Breaks
A hush hangs over the horizon as the sun slips through a seam of cloud, turning the sky to molten gold. Above the quiet landscape, a lone bird cuts across the light, adding a fleeting sense of freedom to a scene balanced between stillness and hope.
Moonlit Silence
Suspended in a vast expanse of midnight blue, the moon glows like a quiet ember in the sky. Its warm amber face contrasts with the dark emptiness around it, creating a minimalist scene that feels both still and infinite.
Asfiya Mehdi, BSc (Hons) Business and Management
In the eyes of Green Beast
She arrived in the middle of the journey, not at the beginning.
Together we travelled through seasons of struggle and hope, crossing roads that led to classrooms, opportunities, and dreams.
Today she is gone. Stolen. Feels like a dream, I was looking forward to the summer together!
Yet these photographs remain as proof that some companions leave tracks deeper than tyres ever could. Green Beast carried me for a season. The lessons from the journey will carry me for a lifetime.
Julius I.Ejedenawe, MRes Leadership and Management
Belief Across Borders
Leaving home behind and coming to a new country feels exciting and overwhelming at the same time. In this scenario, such a small corner reminds you of home, keeps you positive and motivated, and gives you a sense of hope that this foreign land will definitely treat you well. The picture is of my belief in invisible energy, to whom I share my sorrows and happiness and whom I remember in every second of my life.
The Beauty of Nothing
The picture symbolises the beauty of existing. Finding peace in the present moment, simply enjoying sunlight, fresh air, nature and plants. In the race to run for the future, success, and money, we tend to neglect the little things in the present that truly add beauty to life. It’s really important to make ourselves realise that the true meaning of life lies in appreciating the little things in the present and being happy in the stillness.
The Phases of Life
We have all seen the moon change shape every day. Just as the moon changes shape, but remains whole, human life also transitions through a cycle of emptiness, growth, visibility and end. Like the moon, life shifts from a dark beginning, grows to its full peak, fades through wisdom, and returns to peaceful nothingness. Seeing the beauty of each shape of the moon, it’s important that we appreciate the beauty of each phase of our lives.
Prasoona Khadka, Masters of Research in Leadership and Management
Finding light
Through my eyes, the world is shaped by moments of beauty, hope and perspective. These photographs capture different ways I connect with the world around me: the journey towards new horizons, the appearance of light after a storm, and the beauty found in everyday growth. I am drawn to landscapes, nature and moments that encourage reflection. Together, these images represent how I see the world not only as it is, but as a place filled with possibility, resilience and quiet wonder.
Simone Braithwaite, MSc Occupational Therapy
Lights of the apex
On a site visit to Cromford Mills, capturing how the natural light creates repetition.
Corner of the mill
The corner of a mill building at Cromford Mills, showcasing the architectural features and how they cross together.
Earthy Shadows
A standalone building in Cromford. Perhaps a toll booth of sorts due to its location on a bridge. Shadows of the trees across the brickwork create an earthy atmosphere, as if the building grew from the land.
Jenny Ward, Interior Design
The 999 step journey to enlightenment
The journey from the base of Tianmen Mountain, through the mountain’s “mouth,” to Tianmen Palace is a spiritual pilgrimage that blends nature and tradition. Travellers ascend winding trails and nearly 999 symbolic steps, representing perseverance, spiritual growth, and the pursuit of harmony with the divine. Along the way, they pass lush forests, waterfalls, shrines, and prayer halls, pausing to offer incense and prayers. As the air grows crisper and panoramic views unfold, the path challenges both body and spirit, encouraging reflection and devotion. Reaching Tianmen Palace symbolises overcoming obstacles and drawing closer to enlightenment. More than a physical climb, the journey connects pilgrims with nature’s sacredness and cultural heritage.
Czar Collins, BEng Civil Engineering
Team Derby
Through my eye, Team Derby is all about movement and connection- athletes pushing, supporting, and celebrating each other. These moments show the heartbeat of our teams: determined, connected, and proudly Derby.
Aimee Barnes, Digital Marketing
Summer was always just around the corner
These are pictures taken at the same place in Markeaton Park throughout the year. The picture shows a curved path that I pass through daily, with two trees on either side. Throughout the year, I have seen the seasons change through the lens of these trees, from autumn to winter and finally summer.
Zaid Ahmed Ansari, Masters of Public Health
Elegance in the Park
Confidently standing in a vibrant green park. A seamless blend of modern outerwear with an exquisite traditional style.
Augustus Obasuyi, Mres Leadership and Management
A Moment in Motion
A fleeting moment captured through a moving bus window, where the city blurs into motion and one face remains in sharp focus. The contrast between the detailed face and motion-blurred surroundings creates a narrative, inviting viewers to imagine the journey, thoughts, and destination beyond the frame. This candid street-style photograph blends movement, emotion, and everyday life into a compelling image.
Brooklyn Bridge Panorama
Viewed from above, the iconic Brooklyn Bridge stretches across the water, connecting boroughs while carrying a steady flow of traffic. Beyond it, the skyline of New York City rises against the horizon, showcasing a blend of architectural achievement and urban energy. The surrounding waters create contrast with the dense cityscape, resulting in a balanced composition of movement, structure, and nature. This photograph captures the essence of New York—its connectivity, ambition, and enduring relationship with the waterfront—from a unique perspective on one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Concrete Dreams
Captured from the summit, this photograph showcases New York City in all its grandeur. Towering skyscrapers stretch across the horizon, creating a striking blend of architecture, light, and ambition. From this elevated perspective, the city reveals its vast scale and intricate design, with bustling streets becoming delicate lines and iconic landmarks merging into a breathtaking urban landscape. The image reflects the energy, resilience, and timeless appeal of one of the world’s most celebrated cities, inviting viewers to appreciate New York from a unique vantage point.
Rojins Chhetri, MRes of Leadership and Management