Budding snappers across Dorset – as well as the south and west of England – are being invited to focus their lenses and adjust their apertures as the volunteer-led Swanage Railway launches a new photographic competition.
Open to all ages and abilities, the competition runs throughout the summer and closes on Thursday, 25 September, 2014.
With eight varied categories aimed at suiting all interests – and attracting the best and most imaginative entries – photographs can have been taken anytime between 1 January, 2014, and when the contest closes.
The winning photographs will be displayed on board the ‘Wessex Belle’, the Swanage Railway’s premier dining train.
Being judged on composition, technical ability, originality and commercial appeal, the winning photographs may also be used in future Swanage Railway marketing and promotions, such as the highly successful and award winning heritage line’s popular guidebook.
Competition judges will also be choosing an ‘overall favourite’ for the very best photograph of the volunteer-led Swanage Railway.
Winners in each category will receive a year’s free travel on the Swanage Railway – excluding special events, driver experience trains, dining trains and Santa Specials – while the winner of the judges’ overall favourite photograph will receive a £100 voucher to spend in the Swanage station shop.
The eight categories for entries – aimed at inspiring photographic competition entrants – are ‘Steam at Swanage’, ‘Early morning and late shift’, ‘Diesel delight’, ‘Terrific T9’, ‘A new take on Corfe’, ‘Volunteers’ delight’, ‘A railway in Purbeck’ and ‘A firm family favourite’.
The panel of judges will also be choosing a ‘Judges’ overall favourite’ for the very best photograph of the Swanage Railway.
Swanage Railway General Manager Richard Jones said: “The Swanage Railway encourages all photographers to act in a safe and responsible manner – and all photographs for the competition should be taken from public areas.
“Like all our visitors, photographers are encouraged to always follow the Countryside Code and photographs found to be taken as a result of trespassing – or from non-public areas – will not be valid for entry to the competition.
“As the saying goes, a picture says a thousand words and I am looking forward to some splendid photographs being submitted for the competition which capture the spirit and atmosphere of the Swanage Railway which has been rebuilt from nothing since 1976,” he added.
Up to four photographs can be entered in each category with entrants being able to enter photographs in one, some or all nine picture categories.
Richard explained: “With advent of digital photography – and ever more advanced equipment for reasonable prices – everyone from the young amateur to the keen enthusiast is encouraged to enter our new competition.
“The judges will be looking for eye-catching composition, strength of image, originality and suitability to the category guidelines,” he added.
Details of the photographic competition – as well as its terms and conditions – are available from the Swanage Railway website or by sending a stamped self-addressed envelope to Photographic Competition 2014, Swanage Railway, Station House, Station Approach, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1HB.
Photo courtesy of Andrew P M Wright
