2010 Photo Competition

Hanging Out by Michael Gannon 2009 Samhlaiocht Photo Competition Winner

Samhlaiocht is issuing a call for photographs for the Samhlaiocht Photo Competition.

"The Samhlaiocht Photo Competition is always a huge success," said Mike Foley, Samhlaiocht Photo Competition co-ordinator. "In previous years the quality and variety of photographs has been simply astonishing. In fact this year we've decided to have two separate heats because of the number of entries we've had in the past."

The closing date for the first heat is Friday, 28 May and entries are asked to bear the theme, "Landscape or Nature", in mind. The closing date for the second heat will be Friday, 6 August and photographs with a theme of "Portrait or Still Life" are requested.

"This year we've chosen Andre Corvin of Andre Corvin Photography to adjudicate the competition. Andre has a stellar reputation and has judged national photo competitions in the past. He's a consummate professional and his portfolio is full of fantastic shots of everything from wedding photography to fine art pieces, so he's a perfect choice for adjudicator," added Mike.

This year's Samhlaiocht Photo Competition is being run in association with Bank of Ireland. "We're delighted that the Samhlaiocht Photo Competition is being run in association with Bank of Ireland. The winning shots and a selection of other photographs will tour Bank of Ireland branches throughout Kerry," said Mike. "It's a way to expand the reach of the competition and, even at this early stage, feed back has been extremely positive. We're hoping that next year the Samhlaiocht Photo Competition will have a national dimension."

As part of the prize this year all winning entries will be professionally mounted and framed and will remain the property of the artist after the exhibition. The Framing Prize is kindly sponsored by O' Meara Fast Framing Service in Tralee Shopping Centre. Selected photographs will be displayed in the Bank of Ireland branch on Castle Street in the heart of Tralee from 16 September to 8 October 2010.

The photographers are asked to bear the themes in mind when submitting work. A liberal interpretation of the theme is encouraged, however, and the organisers look forward to receiving a wide diversity of styles and subject matter.

"With two distinct themes this year, 'Landscape or Nature' for the 28 May deadline and 'Portrait or Still Life' for the 6 August deadline, the sky is really the limit and we're all very excited to see the entries this year," said Mike.

When asked about digital manipulation, Mike said, "With digital cameras in everyone's arsenal and this year's broad themes, we can't rule out digital manipulation, nor would we want to. Digital photography is an exciting medium and we encourage people to play around and to be as creative and artistic as they like!"

Photographs may be black and white or colour and must measure 8"X 10".

Contestants must submit a hard copy of the picture to Mike Foley at Samhlaiocht, Unit 1, The Windmill Complex, Blennerville, Tralee. For those submitting photographs taken with a digital camera please also email a copy to mike@samhlaiocht.com citing 'Samhlaiocht Photo Competition' in the subject line.

Interested parties should fill out an application form, which are available online, or in the Samhlaiocht office in The Windmill Complex in Blennerville. Application forms ask for name; address; contact phone number; email and the title of each photograph submitted. Hard and soft copies of each photograph are also requested.

The closing date for entries in the first heat, 'Landscape or Nature' is Friday, 28 May and the closing date for entries to the second heat, 'Portrait or Still Life', is Friday, 6 August.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to www.samhlaiocht.com or call 066 712 9934.