By Sarah O'Mahony
The Clean Coasts programme has once again launched their popular coastline and waterways photography competition for the 14th year and taking part in this year's competition might just secure you a share of the €6,000 prize fund!
The programme has a 20 year legacy working to support and protect the Irish coastline and waterways. Its main focus lies with organising beach clean ups, ocean talks and awareness campaigns.
Ireland had one of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world. From rugged cliffs that house puffins, fulmars and more, to rivers that flow through our bustling towns and cities, participants are not stuck for photography subjects. So why not arm yourself with a camera this weekend weather permitting, re-explore the natural beauty of our waters?
SUBMISSIONS NOW OPEN
The window for submissions opens until 9am on Monday, 28th August. This year the ‘Protectors of the Coast’ category is being launched to celebrate the volunteers and community spirit across the country that serve our coastline and rivers. Categories include: 1. Wildlife and Coast 2. Coastal Landscape 3. People and the Coast 4. Coastal Heritage 5. Underwater 6. Protectors of the Coast.
Top tips for entering the competition are to avoid landscapes or species that have been heavily submitted in previous years. The demonstration of the use of alternative photography methods and angles is also favourable.
This year's judging panel includes nature and wildlife photographers and writers, visual media managers, leading staff in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as well as staff from Clean Coasts.
Last year saw Darragh Gorman take the top prize of Image of the Year as well as first place in the Coastal Landscape category with his image capturing the awe inspiring waves at Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo.
Manager of Clean Coasts, Sinead McCoy shares that ‘The competition draws considerable interest from Ireland’s photographers and coastal enthusiasts and over the previous years it has received thousands of entries with the standard getting higher with each passing year. We invite everyone to capture the essence of our breathtaking coastlines and, in doing so, help spread the message of preservation and conservation.’
To read the competition’s FAQs, Wildlife photography guide and to submit images check out cleancoasts.org
