The Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership is holding a photography competition this summer to find a cover-shot for their 2016 Northumberland Coast Visitor Guide.
The image on the front cover of current Visitor Guide was taken by Andy Freeman from Cheshire of his son, Ben, looking out from Dunstanburgh Castle. Andy said “It's great to think that forty-thousand copies of my shot have now been reproduced on the cover of the Visitor Guide, I hope it conveys how much fun kids can have in the castles around Northumberland whilst, hopefully, learning something too”
Cllr John Woodman, Chair of the AONB Partnership, who helped to judge last year’s competition said “It was really interesting to look through the entries and such a difficult job to choose a winner. First impressions count, so it is really important to have a stunning front cover that will encourage visitors to pick up a copy and read it.”
The winner will not only have their photograph on the front of forty-thousand Visitor Guides, they will also receive £150 worth of vouchers to spend at Stait Photo of Morpeth and Hexham. Stait Photo has kindly provided prizes for highly commended entries.
Ken Stait from Stait Photo said “We are delighted to support this competition. The beautiful landscapes and seascapes of the Northumberland coast are justly popular with photographers from across the country. The quality of light during the day and the dark skies at night make along with the abundance of wildlife and historic features make the AONB a photographers dream.”
Paul Larkin, editor of the Johnston Press Northumberland titles, Northumberland Gazette, Berwick Advertiser, Morpeth Herald and News Post Leader, said: "We are delighted to be part of the competition to find an icon image for the 2016 Northumberland Coast Visitor Guide.
"In our opinion, Northumberland is the jewel in the crown of Britain's coastline and what better way to celebrate that than with a competition to find an eye-catching picture for the front page.
"The winning photograph will get an incredible exposure, if you pardon the pun, and we would encourage all photographers to get out, explore the coast and keep an eye open for that special image."
Jane Coltman, Image Manager for Johnston Press Northumberland titles said: "It's exciting to be involved in the judging process for this competition. I'm one of the lucky ones - a Northumberland resident - so of course I know how beautiful our coastal area is! It's great that this competition is open to locals and visitors alike and I can't wait to see the fantastic images that I know will be submitted from people who, like me, love the Northumberland coast.
Photos submitted can be of virtually anything, but to be eligible, the photo must have been taken within the Northumberland Coast AONB in 2015.
Images need to be submitted in an electronic format and be of a high enough resolution to be used on the cover of the guide. More advice, previous visitor guide covers and the full set of rules are on the AONB website www.northumberlandcoastaonb.org. The closing date for entries is the 1st October 2015.