The 2004 South West Photo Challenge is open to anyone over 11 and there are some great prizes on offer. Thousands of pounds worth of camera equipment is up for grabs in the South West England Photo Challenge. And one lucky winner will see their photograph used in a multi-million pound national marketing campaign promoting South West England. Rules The Photo Challenge is open to anyone aged over 11 throughout the region, whether they are complete novices, keen amateurs or seasoned professionals.  The South West Photo Challenge is a great way for people in the region to show how creative they can be, and it's a great reason to get out there and take some innovative photographs! | | Paul Smith |
The competition is supported by the The Royal Photographic Society and the South West England campaign. Following the success of the first Photo Challenge in 2002, the 2004 competition aims to find vibrant and compelling images that go beyond the widely held perceptions of the region as only offering the 'cream tea and thatched cottage' experience. The winning shots will be those that capture South West England's unique balance between life and work, productivity and leisure, and business and the environment. Student category In another new development for 2004, a special category for students has been added, open to anyone in further education at a college or university in the South West. The winner of the student category will receive a two week placement in a leading South West marketing agency - a great way to launch a career in marketing and communications. The South West England campaign was launched last year to promote the region as the perfect destination for visitors and for businesses alike. South West England is one of the most diverse regions of the country, with an extraordinary range of landscape and industry.  | | An entry from 2002: Time Stands Still by Tom Castree |
John Taynton, of the South West Regional Development Agency, one of the organisations behind the South West England campaign, said, "Those of us who already live and work in South West England know how lucky we are. "Our aim is to attract tourists and businesses to this dynamic and exciting part of the country, so we can all build on the quality of life that we value so much". The Photo Challenge runs from 16 February to mid-May, and entry forms and other details can be found at www.southwest-photochallenge.com After the close of the competition, 24 finalists will be chosen from across the region, to go through to a gala judging and awards event in mid-June. Judges The competition's judges will include top documentary photographer Chris Chapman, from Chagford; and Paul Smith, creator of the celebrated photomontages used on Robbie Williams' chart-topping 'Sing When You're Winning album. Paul, whose photographs have been exhibited worldwide, said: "The South West Photo Challenge is a great way for people in the region to show how creative they can be, and it's a great reason to get out there and take some innovative photographs!" 
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Calling all budding David Baileys! The search is on to find the best photo to promote South West England in a multi-million pound marketing campaign. 
