17 June 2008

For the first time this year young photographers are being offered free entry to Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s photo competition celebrating East Anglia’s and Britain’s amazing wildlife and landscapes.                                                                                        .
“If you enjoy taking photos of wildlife or the countryside and would like to have a go at entering your first competition then get out there and get snapping! You stand a good chance of having your photo displayed alongside some of the best amateur photographers in the region; you could even win a prize,” says education officer Cathy Smith.

Last year’s junior winner was Patrick Norman from Carlton near Saxmundham with his photo of a grey squirrel while Ryan Edwards from Badingham - one of last year’s highly commended junior entrants - has continued to pursue his passion for wildlife photography and recently appeared on BBC’s Springwatch filming barn owl.

“We aim to make this a showcase for talented amateur photographers who best capture the beauty and significance of our wildlife and landscapes and to bring their work to a wide audience in a superb natural setting at Redgrave and Lopham Fen –  itself a favourite subject for the lens,” says Cathy.

The closing date is 18 July 2008 and entries are invited in the following categories:

Best East Anglian Bird
Best East Anglian Mammal, Amphibian or Reptile
Best East Anglian Invertebrate
Best East Anglian Plant or Fungi
Best East Anglian Landscape
Best Young Photographer(16 yrs & under)

All winning photos and the best of the rest will be on public display at the competition exhibition at Redgrave and Lopham Fen reserve centre 23 - 25 & 30 – 31 August and 6-7 September (10am-5pm). All entrants are warmly invited to attend the exhibition preview night at Redgrave and Lopham Fen on Friday 22 August. There will be prizes for the strongest images and the overall winning photo will be published in Suffolk Wildlife magazine.

For more information and an application form please contact Oka Russell, Photo Competition, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Brooke House, Ashbocking IP6 9JY. Tel 01473 890089 or email  info@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

ENDS