The top young photographers across the country have been celebrated in a new photography competition led by Norwich University of the Arts.

Eastern Daily Press: Beyond the Frame young photographers' competition led by Norwich University of the Arts. Pictured is the photograph by overall winner Gaia Giardinelli.Photo: supplied by Norwich University of the ArtsBeyond the Frame young photographers' competition led by Norwich University of the Arts. Pictured is the photograph by overall winner Gaia Giardinelli.Photo: supplied by Norwich University of the Arts (Image: supplied by Norwich University of the Arts)

Beyond the Frame challenged school pupils and college students to get creative with their cameras and capture images reflecting on the theme environment.

More than 170 young people nationwide took part, with local young photographers including students from Springwood High School, in King's Lynn, East Norfolk Sixth Form, Dereham Sixth Form and Wymondham High, and entries from further afield coming from places including York, Birmingham, Ashford, Brighton and Portsmouth.

Each snapped a different take on the theme with everything from landscapes to self-portraits featuring in the entries.

On Thursday the 36 finalists' photos were displayed at Norwich University of the Arts' St George's Building during an event where the winning photographs were announced.

Eastern Daily Press: Beyond the Frame young photographers' competition led by Norwich University of the Arts. Pictured is a photograph by Maya Eckstein which was judge Carol Sharps top choice. Photo: supplied by Norwich University of the ArtsBeyond the Frame young photographers' competition led by Norwich University of the Arts. Pictured is a photograph by Maya Eckstein which was judge Carol Sharps top choice. Photo: supplied by Norwich University of the Arts (Image: supplied by Norwich University of the Arts)

The prize of overall winner was presented to 17-year-old Gaia Giardinelli, from King's Ely, in Cambridgeshire, for her thought-provoking portrait which impressed judges for the way it explores the relationship between nature and humanity.

Seventeen-year-old Paula Averkamp, from Wymondham High, was the top choice of judge Denisa Ilie for her striking photograph of a girl lost in thought in the countryside.

The other young photographers to receive prizes were; Maya Eckstein, 18, from Long Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge (judge Carol Sharp's choice); Georgia Mills, 18, from West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds (judge James Smith's choice); and Molly Fenn, 17, from Fortismere School, Haringey, London (judge Tim Flach's choice).

James Smith, BA Photography course leader at Norwich University of the Arts, who was the head of the judging panel, said: 'The quality of students' work and the breadth of ideas in response to our brief was truly impressive. This ranged from fashion to landscapes.

Eastern Daily Press: Beyond the Frame young photographers' competition led by Norwich University of the Arts. Pictured is a photograph by Georgia Mills which was judge James Smiths top choice.Photo: supplied by Norwich University of the ArtsBeyond the Frame young photographers' competition led by Norwich University of the Arts. Pictured is a photograph by Georgia Mills which was judge James Smiths top choice.Photo: supplied by Norwich University of the Arts (Image: supplied by Norwich University of the Arts)

'We were delighted to meet our finalists at the inaugural Beyond the Frame exhibition at NUA – probably the first time many of the students will have exhibited their work outside their school or college.

'It was also a chance for them to meet the judges and see the high standard of work they were competing against.'