Dublin Masterson's Artistic Showcase in the 'Restore the Soar' at Haymarket

Restore the Soar is a photography exhibition by Leicester College students, showcasing the River Soar’s beauty while highlighting the impact of pollution. Displayed at Leicester’s Haymarket Shopping Centre from March to late spring 2025, this National Lottery Heritage Fund project features works including one from Dublin Masterson, a Year 2 Level 3 Photography student at Leicester College.

Dublin’s images contrast the river’s natural charm with environmental damage, emphasising the need for restoration. His photography will be on display in the Haymarket window for up to six weeks for viewers to appreciate.

Background to the Soar project

“The Soar has long been a place of natural beauty, but due to climate change and other factors, it has suffered significant damage and waste. Many people are unaware of the extent of this harm,” says Dublin.

“The goal of the project was to showcase the river’s beauty and wildlife - allowing visitors to first experience its natural charm, then witness the waste and damage firsthand. This contrast highlights what the river could look like if the waste were removed, and how neglect has left it in need of urgent care.

“The best thing about the Soar is its beauty. When you hear about a river and its wildlife, you might picture something ordinary. But when you visit and experience it firsthand, its true beauty comes to life. Seeing it with your own eyes makes it real - it’s something truly special. In that moment, you understand its importance and why preserving it is vital.”

Dublin’s work dissected

“A photography style I enjoy using is capturing small details that might otherwise go unnoticed by the bare human eye. To contrast this, I also used wide-angle lenses to showcase the broader landscape, capturing the full scope of the area. I wanted to create a balance between close-up details and the bigger picture,” continues Dublin.

“One of my shots features the bridge from an overhead angle, allowing viewers to see both the natural beauty and the man-made structures. I felt it was important to highlight this connection - nature and human influence can coexist, but there must be harmony, or else the environment suffers.”

True power of photography

Dublin adds: “I really wanted to capture close-up shots of the swans, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the right lens for that. Instead, I made the most of what I had, using wide-angle shots to capture the scene in a different way. There was also a process of exploring and identifying the best areas to work with, so I took my time walking around and scouting locations.

“Despite these small challenges, everything came together well in the end, and it couldn’t have gone better for me - I was really happy with the result.

“It was an experience unlike anything I had encountered outside of Leicester College. Seeing my work displayed for the public, rather than just for myself, was both fascinating and eye-opening. I wasn’t accustomed to having strangers - people beyond my friends, workplace, or education - view and interpret my work in their own way. It was inspiring to witness how a message can extend far beyond familiar circles, reinforcing the true power of photography.”

Understanding beauty of nature

Dublin’s message to viewers is to “understand and appreciate the beauty of nature and life beyond our own walls, and to witness the wonders of the world that exist untouched by human hands”.

He explains that so much of the world around us - such as cars, buildings and landscapes - have been shaped by human hands. But there’s something special about walking alongside a river, listening to the birds, and immersing yourself in a world untouched by us.

“In my opinion, these natural elements have just as much right to exist on this planet as we do,” he concludes.