In the last year, 12 months that will leave a permanent memory on the lives of people around the world, a number of everyday life experiences have become an essential part of our wellbeing. The importance of nature in our lives, from a small flower in a garden to climbing a newly discovered hill, or just sitting on a beach listening to the waves, never before has the connection to nature become more crucial. Coupled with the challenges of lockdown, bubbles and restricted gatherings, the need for connections has become ever more craved.
Working with Translink, local Belfast Photographic Gallery, Belfast Exposed have launched a competition to capture the 'Natural Connections’' which have sustained, surrounded, supported and encouraged people and communities since 23 March 2020, the first day of lockdown last year.
How You Can Get Involved
To get involved in the photographic competition which opens 1 March, participants can send images taken since 23 March 2020 to Earth Day, which will be celebrated on 22 April 2021, capturing ‘Natural Connections’ using the hashtag #NaturalConnections2021 on social media. Entries can also be emailed to naturalconnections@belfastexposed.org, closing 22 April 2021.
Hashtag Submission - #NaturalConnections2021
Email Submission - naturalconnections@belfastexposed.org
The competition which is open to all ages, wishes to capture through photography our ‘Natural Connections’, the link between nature and connecting in the last year. Photos can be taken on a phone, or camera of any kind, so long as it captures the moment in time when connecting through or with nature was snapped.
Belfast Exposed will manage all entries and create a shortlist for an invited select panel of judges, made up from photography, transport, health and nature backgrounds. Six finalists will receive a high-quality print of their photograph, with one overall winner being announced on social media across Belfast Exposed and Translink. The winner will receive a £200 voucher from WEX photo, a £100 Belfast Exposed gift voucher, and a Translink iLink Card* to make new natural connections. An exhibition of the top entries for ‘Natural Connections’ will be held online and then later in the year at Belfast Exposed, in line with Covid 19 restrictions. *With credit for 4 weeks travel
Prize for 1st Place - £200 voucher for Wex Photo, £100 voucher for Belfast Exposed & Translink iLink Card with 4 weeks travel
Prize for Six Finalists - High-quality print of their photograph
