Get snapping in Cardiff at this year's Photomarathon

20th April 2011

Budding and professional photographers are being invited to get snapping by taking part in this year’s Photomarathon UK, which is set to return to Cardiff on Saturday 11 June.

Now in its eighth year, Photomarathon UK has become a firm favourite in the annual creative calendar, with a record 400 people taking part last year. Organisers are hoping that this year will be no exception, and have just opened up the booking process so that people can register for their place straight away.

This will be the second year that the competition will be entirely digital. Participants must take 12 images on 12 given topics over the course of 12 hours and all 12 images must be taken in the correct sequence.

The event will begin at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, before entrants set out across the city to respond to the creative challenges the event creates. Once again, free transport around the city will be provided by Cardiff Bus and Arriva Trains Wales during the event.

Betina Skovbro, Photomarathon UK Director, said: “Photomarathon UK has grown from strength-to-strength since we launched it in Cardiff in 2004. The first year we had 140 participants, and last year was a complete sell-out with 400 photographers of all ages and abilities taking up the challenge.

“We had a fantastic response last year, and it’s great to see the event now firmly established as part of the capital city’s cultural diary. We’re looking forward to another exciting year in 2011.”

Following the event, every entrant’s work will be presented in a free public exhibition at Cardiff Old Library opening in late July. Participants’ work will be judged by a panel of creative experts and Photomarathon organsiers, who will select winners for each topic as well as an overall first, second and third prize for the best set of 12 photos. 

Last year’s first prize winner was Nigel Leach from Gileston, Nr Barry who impressed judges with his creative approach – even though it was his first time of doing the competition.

Nigel Leach said: “Last year’s Photomarathon was the first one for me and I found it one of the most interesting, creative, difficult and exhausting things I'd ever done! I went into it not knowing what to expect and thought it would just be fun thing to do for the day, but I got so involved with the whole process that I found myself thinking about my picture choices for weeks after the event.
 
“It was amazing to walk into the exhibition at the Old Library and see my photos on the wall. I was even more amazed to then discover, out of all the great photos, I had won Photomarathon 2010!
 
“I am really looking forward to this year’s competition and would encourage others to take part in, what I'm sure will be, another fantastic day.”

Mathew Talfan, Photomarathon UK Director, added: “When judging a picture, we are not simply looking for a technical ability. Creativity in terms of interpreting the topic is just as important – if not more so! That’s what makes it so exciting as anyone really can get involved – whether they are using their mobile phone or the very latest SLR.”

Photomarathon UK takes place on Saturday 11 June in Cardiff, starting at 10am at Wales Millennium Centre. Entrants wishing to take part must sign up in advance. To register for this year’s competition, visit www.photomarathon.co.uk. Entry cost is £15 and includes free transport around Cardiff courtesy of Cardiff Bus and Arriva Trains Wales as well as a private invite to the exhibition launch in July. Participants must provide their own digital camera or mobile phone.

People interested in receiving regular updates from Photomarathon UK can follow them on Twitter @PhotomarathonGB

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