Our Coast, Our Sea - Don’t forget your camera

12 January 2011

Why not take advantage of the break in the wintery weather by getting out and about. And, if you are heading outdoors, don’t forget to take your camera as you could enter any photographs taken in Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s 26th annual amateur photography competition.

Anybody who can take a photograph can enter the free competition which is now in its 26th year. Entries are invited of any images capturing local landscapes, plants and animals.

There are two categories to enter: Best Wildlife Video and Best Wildlife Photograph and the age groups for the photography category are: 4 – 12 years, 13 – 18 years and over 18 years.

The competition is open to entrants outside of the North East, but only photographs taken and footage filmed in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle will be eligible.

This years’ judging panel for the competition consists of BBC Look North presenter Steph Lloyd, Tony Henderson, The Journal’s Environment Editor and Kevin O’Hara, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Conservation Officer and experienced wildlife photographer.

Kevin, who has taken wildlife photographs throughout the world said: “What better way to focus people’s attention on our precious and fragile environment than by a photography competition.

I wish all our budding photographers and film-makers the best of luck and hope the weather stays fine and the light remains favourable allowing them to capture some truly magical moments. In the past we have had some fantastic entries and I am sure this year will be no different.”

Photographs should be a minimum print size of 6” x 4” with digital images
being printed on high quality photographic paper. The back of each photograph should be marked with the entrant’s name, contact details, category choice and details of where the photograph was taken.

The Best Wildlife Video category is only open to entrants over 18 years of age. Film footage should be no longer than three minutes long and on DVD (preferably AVI or Windows Media Player format) with details of where the footage was filmed.

The winning photographs will feature in the Wildlife Charity’s 40th Anniversary celebrations throughout 2011.

All entries should be sent to Christine O’Neill, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Garden House, St Nicholas Park, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE3 3XT.

Entrants must be willing for their photographs and film footage to be used free of charge in future Northumberland Wildlife Trust publications, promotional materials and on its website. Full credit will be given.

For full terms and conditions of the competition visit www.nwt.org.uk