Celebrating Excellence: Three Edinburgh College Graduates Named AOP Emerging Talent Finalists 2026
Edinburgh College is immensely proud to announce that three BA (Hons) Professional Photography graduates—Nikki Stirton, Martyn Cain, and Ritchie Elder—have been selected as finalists in the prestigious Association of Photographers (AOP) Emerging Talent Awards 2026.
Selected from photographers across the UK, our three graduates are among the final 15 to make the finalists. The AOP Emerging Talent Awards celebrate a new wave of visionary photographers of any age or background whose portfolios truly stand out from the crowd.
A Legacy of Distinction
This incredible achievement comes on the heels of last year’s success, when fellow BA (Hons) graduate Jack Currie won the top AOP New Talent Award.
Securing three finalist spots this year further cements the exceptional standard of work produced within Edinburgh College's photography department.
Reflecting on their time on the course, all three finalists graduated with First Class Honours while successfully balancing their studies alongside professional commissions.
Diverse and Impactful Portfolios
What makes this year's success especially rewarding is the incredible range and depth of the work showcased by our alumni:
Nikki Stirton: Exploring complex contemporary suburban anxieties through fine art.
Martyn Cain: Capturing striking and expressive fine art dog portraits.
Ritchie Elder: Documenting powerful, underrepresented communities with profound empathy. Ritchie has secured a remarkable three separate projects in the finalist gallery: Belonging, Saturday School, and Dumbiedykes.
Looking Forward
To have three alumni recognised at this level highlights not only their individual dedication and talent, but also the strength of our photography program in nurturing industry-ready creatives.
Huge congratulations once again to Nikki, Martyn, and Ritchie. We cannot wait to see where your remarkable careers take you next!
NIKKI STIRTON
'A Modern Venus - After Titian'
'A Modern Venus - The Milkmaid'
'A Modern Venus - Maintenance Routine'
'A Modern Venus - The Contract'
'A Modern Venus - Return of The Rake'
MARTYN CAIN
from the series 'A Degree of Dogs - Heirloom Hounds'
from the series 'A Degree of Dogs - Heirloom Hounds'
from the series 'A Degree of Dogs - Heirloom Hounds'
from the series 'A Degree of Dogs - Heirloom Hounds'
from the series 'A Degree of Dogs - Heirloom Hounds'
RITCHIE ELDER
'Belonging - Natalia'
'Belonging - Ukrainian Dancers'
'Belonging - Vyshyvanka Day'
'Belonging - Yaroslava'
'Belonging - Oksana'
from the series 'Saturday School'
from the series 'Saturday School'
from the series 'Saturday School'
from the series 'Saturday School'
from the series 'Saturday School'
from the series 'Dumbiedykes'
from the series 'Dumbiedykes'
from the series 'Dumbiedykes'
from the series 'Dumbiedykes'
from the series 'Dumbiedykes'
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