5th September update - 10 days til competition ends!
Following the phenomenal success of last year’s competition it’s back - ‘Let’s get Snapping for M.E!’ 2013 is here! This is a fantastic opportunity to get your photos printed on Let’s Do it for ME’s 2013 Christmas cards. The cards will be sold to help raise money towards Invest in ME’s Biomedical Research Fund, which includes the Rituximab Research Fund for a UK research trial of this promising drug. We know there are many budding and talented photographers out there and we want to give you a chance to shine. The competition is open to anyone of any age. It really is that inclusive!
Photos can be of anything you like but must have a Christmassy feel such as traditional snowy scenes, snowmen, Christmas decorations, or something a little more inventive. It’s entirely up to you! You can have a look at last year’s shortlisted entries for ideas. All photos must be good quality images in digital format (JPEG, PNG or TIFF). Please email your photos to fundraising4me@gmail.com by 15th September 2013 and clearly state your name and email address. Those under 16 must have the permission of their parents/guardians. And for those that have never entered a photo competition before don’t be put off entering, the majority of those who entered last year’s competition had never done anything like this previously.
The Let’s Do it for ME team will judge the first stage, with the shortlisted photos being posted on this blog and on the Competition’s Event page on 20th September. The second stage, the exciting bit, is where you get to vote for your favourite ones. You can vote either by emailing us or casting votes on the Competition Event's Page. Voting will close at midnight on 22nd September. Those with the most votes will be sent onto Invest in ME, who will then judge the final stage by choosing from these the winning photographs that will go onto be printed. We aim to print ten photos and will officially announce the winners on 27th September. We hope to have the cards ready for sale by mid-October.
Winners will not only get their photos printed up on our cards but also receive a mixed pack of our Christmas cards featuring their winning photo. So let’s get snapping - because there’s never been a better way to share your talent and do something positive for ME!
Competition Rules:
1) Entrants agree that Let’s Do it for ME and Invest in ME are allowed to print winning photos for fundraising and awareness purposes.
2) Entrants agree that any photos sent in can be used for awareness purposes by Let’s Do it for ME and Invest in ME.
3) Entrants agree that their full names can be used in association with their photos.
4) Only five photos per person are allowed to be submitted into the competition.
5) The winners will be notified by email.
6) The results of the competition will be posted on this blog as well as on our Competition’s Facebook Event page.
7) Invest in ME reserve the right to replace winning photos if, when going to print, they are unable to reproduce a high quality image from them.
8) Let’s Do it for ME and Invest in ME’s decision is final.
If you have any questions regarding the competition please email us at fundraising4me@gmail.com or leave a post on our Competition Event page.
Good luck everyone!
To help you get a head start here’s a few tips and tricks
- Find a naturally well lit spot in your home. A conservatory is particular good. Alternatively, a shady spot in the garden will do.
- If the natural light isn’t very good indoors put the light on in the room, even use a lamp to help light what you are photographing. Try to avoid using a flash if you can, it tends to spoil photos.
- To make a backdrop use fabric, card or material and drape it or lay it on a bed, chair or floor. In picture 1 we’ve used tinsel.
Other useful tips
- Gather together objects you want to photo, material etc. and anything you think may be useful. This means you have everything to hand, making it easier to experiment and less time and energy consuming.
- Play around with your shorts taking them, for instance, from different angles and different perspectives. You'll be surprised just what a difference this can make. (see 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Make sure you don’t overtire yourself. Take rests.
- If you find holding a camera difficult use something to rest it on when taking photos.
- If taking photos outside a lightweight camping/fishing fold-out stool is very handy.
- And most importantly have fun!
* All photos that feature have been taken with an 8MP point and shoot camera.
