Central Coast Council’s annual photographic prize, Exposure, is now open to amateur and emerging photographers.

The competition, in its fifth year, is an opportunity for photographers to submit their best images for a chance to share in a total prize pool of $4,400

The competition has always been popular with young people and this year, a new award has been introduced for an Emerging Young Talent (aged under 24 years).

Council Group Leader, Ms Julie Vaughan, said the entries from the young photographers are growing each and every year and Council wanted to expand on this interest.

“Over the years, 10 percent of our finalists were represented by photographers under the age of 24,” Ms Vaughan said.

“This year we decided to give more opportunities for our young people by introducing a new award and expanding our annual workshops.

“Each year we have workshops for beginner and intermediate photographers, and for the first time we held extra workshops targeted at students run by professional photographers who mentored them and help build on their photography skills.

“You can already see some of the students’ work being displayed at Killarney Vale shopping centre and in the Wyong CBD.”

The competition is open to all amateur and emerging photographers and entries must represent one of the following categories:

• Postcards of the Coast – images must be of the Central Coast
• Through the Generations – open to any image
• The Natural World – open to any image
• A Picture Tells 1,000 Words – open to any image

Prizes will be awarded to First, Second and Third overall winners and Emerging Young Talent as well as a Highly Commended in each category and the People’s Choice Award which will be announced at the end of the exhibition.

Council Administrator, Ian Reynolds, said this year’s competition will build on the success of last year.

“The competition aims to promote the art of photography and to showcase still-based works,” Mr Reynolds said.

“The Coast is becoming well known for its support for the arts and I have great pleasure in encouraging people to enter this competition and boost the profile of the prize.

“So give it your best shot!”

Entries close at midnight Sunday 23 April and can be submitted online at wyong.nsw.gov.au/exposure

A public exhibition will showcase 145 of the highest scoring images at The Art House Wyong from Saturday 10 June to Sunday 25 June. Entry is free and everyone is encouraged to view the most outstanding images from the 2017 competition.