The Hartlepool student who is one of the best photographers in the world

Talented photographer Grant Hegedus is officially one of the very best in the world.
Pigs in blankets by Grant Hegedus.Pigs in blankets by Grant Hegedus.
Pigs in blankets by Grant Hegedus.

The 21-year-old graduate, who studied at the Cleveland College of Art and Design Hartlepool campus, has been honoured by the judges of the 2017 Sony World Photography Awards.

His work was shortlisted as one of the top ten in the world in the awards’ Professional Still life category.

Beef Wellington by Grant Hegedus.Beef Wellington by Grant Hegedus.
Beef Wellington by Grant Hegedus.
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Grant, from Billingham, took part in a contest which saw more than 227,000 images submitted from 183 countries across the world.

Grant’s work was called Food Puns and it was created for his final major project at the college.

He said: “The images show what happens when you take the names of meals in a literal sense and what happens when you begin to look at the language surrounding food in a comedic way.

“Therefore, transforming the names of the meals and foods to what they literally describe, and making them come alive as a physical form.”

Egg and soldiers.Egg and soldiers.
Egg and soldiers.
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He told how he reacted when he got the email confirming that he had been shortlisted.

“I couldn’t seem to do much other than smile! I was overjoyed with finding out that I had been shortlisted for such a prestigious award.

“I can’t even say that it has sunk in because it hasn’t; each time I think about it I just seem to smile or feel overwhelmed with happiness.

“My parents and family are close to being as overwhelmed and as happy as me. My friends understand how big of a chance this is and are really pleased.

Grant Hegedus.Grant Hegedus.
Grant Hegedus.
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“I can’t wait to attend the ceremony with my parents, it will be amazing just being there.

After graduation, Grant took some time out for travelling, which led him to draw attention more to his portfolio and produce new work.

He is now a commercial photographer working in the North East.

Judges who were in charge of the Professional category of the competition, were looking for strong bodies of work of between five and ten images.

Grant’s work was recognised alongside the shortlisted photographers of the Open, Youth and Student Focus competitions.

Grant used witty imagery to offer a symbolic interpretation with visual puns.