Picture Perfect
The Port of Tyne launches the fifth annual Reflect awards, inviting you to capture the very essence of the North East in film and pictures.
Since its launch in 2007 the Port of Tyne competition has grown to become one of the biggest photography and film contests in the UK.
Several previous winners have gone on take the leap into professional photography and others to win national recognition including Carl Haynes who recently scooped a £10,000 national prize.
This year's competition is back bigger and better. And a host of famous faces have joined the judging panel including: Agnes Wilkie, Alex Telfer, Andy Belman, Carol Malia, Geoff Wonfor, Ted Ditchburn and Wayne Hemingway.
Susan Wear, Port of Tyne, Director of Corporate Affairs said: "The awards are our way of stimulating and supporting people in expressing their passion and aspiration for the region. We have made it easy for people to enter so hope everyone will have ago."
Entering one of the five categories couldn't be easier, with £500 prize money in each category, and the chance to see your image or film displayed at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
Andy Balman, cultural entrepreneur and director of the Balman Gallery in Corbridge said: "I am delighted to be judging the Port of Tyne Reflect competition's ‘People' category. Reflect aims to inspire creativity and demonstrates the cultural diversity of North East England in photos and film. The people of the region are passionate, tenacious and full of a lust for life that I can't wait to see captured on camera".
Geoff Wonfor, acclaimed produced and film director said: "Anything that puts the North East on the map I'm interested in. Film has been my life for the last 20 years, having won a Bafta and a Grammy I'd like to give something back and I'm especially keen on finding new talent in young people".
Asked to offer any advice to up-and-coming film makers, "Think of every angle then blow that out of the water and think again, do something different and do not forget the mid shot, there is more than close or wide angle" says Geoff.
