Get snapping for HRH The Prince of Wales photography contest |27 July 2015

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is inviting all citizens of the Commonwealth to take part in the newly launched photography competition called ‘Out of the Blue’.

The competition was launched by the Prince on the occasion of World Oceans Day on June 8.

Our planet is two-third blue, with the ocean and seas of water making up most of the earth’s surface. The oceans are a vital substance by which all life on earth is made possible.  Oceans host the vast majority of life on this planet and hold some of our most diverse ecosystems. They have, throughout history, moved and inspired us with its beauty and supported humankind with its bounty – after all, ocean life produces half of the world’s oxygen and enough fish to feed millions of people.

However, our oceans are at risks as they are threatened by climate change, over-fishing, habitat destruction and pollution of kinds, all of which are jeopardising the health of our oceans and their ability to sustain us.

A vast area of the ocean lies within the jurisdiction of Commonwealth countries, of which more than half of these countries are islands to whom ocean are of vital importance.

‘Out of the Blue’, therefore, sets out to showcase the wonder and value of the Commonwealth’s ‘blue’ capital or as we commonly call it the ‘Blue Economy’, as well as the human life it supports.

Good pictures sometimes tell better stories. As such, the competition hopes to inspire Commonwealth citizens to explore the marine environment through the lenses of their cameras.  It is seeking photographs that celebrate the ‘beauty of the marine environment, highlight its importance and alert global leaders to its vulnerability’.

All winning photographs will be exhibited in Malta in November 2015 at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The heads of Commonwealth governments will meet together in Malta to discuss issues of critical global importance, such as the future of the planet’s Blue Economy – that is, the economic activity that is dependent on oceans, seas and coasts. It is the ideal opportunity to showcase the value and significance of our oceans as the heads of the Commonwealth governments will be meeting to discuss issues of critical global importance, such as the future of the Blue Economy.  The future health and viability of the ocean relies a lot on the decisions of these global leaders.

People of the Commonwealth can, through their photos of the blue world, directly encourage global leaders to “take positive action and adopt more of the solutions that we know are at hand to protect and use natural resources in sustainable way.”

The competition is opened to all Commonwealth citizens. All photographs must have been taken in a Commonwealth country. It will close on September 6, 2015.

The competition comprises three thematic categories (‘the Categories’). Each category is open to entrants under and over 18 at the final deadline date and a prize will be given to the best over 18 and the best under 18 entry in each category. Winning entrants will be requested to submit proof of date of birth.

The categories are as follows:

• Nature’s Assets: Images in this theme will be judged on their power to inspire a greater appreciation of the natural riches of our blue world. They might, for example, convey the beauty and wonders of marine wildlife, of coral reefs, sea grass meadows, kelp forests, marshes or mangroves.

• People and the Oceans: Images in this theme will be judged on their ability to convey the interdependence between the human world and that of the oceans, seas and coastal environments. Winning entries might, for example, emphasise how healthy marine environments sustain people’s welfare through fishing or tourism.

• Human Impacts: Images submitted in this category will be judged on the extent to which they might raise awareness about the different ways in which the human race can impact on oceans, whether positively or negatively.

While this competition is primarily focused on oceans and seas, images of inland water bodies are also eligible, such as rivers and lakes.

Smart phone entries are welcomed and actively encouraged across all categories. There will be a ‘Highly Commended’ award given to the best smartphone entry.

All entries that meet the conditions of entry will be published on the competition website [www.outofthebluecompetition.com].

The public can express whether or not they like an image through a ‘like’ function on the website. The image that receives the most likes will receive a ‘Highly Commended’ award. ‘Likes’ will not impact the main awards. These will be judged by a professional international judging panel.

It is the responsibility of each entrant into the competition to ensure that they have read, and to abide by, the competition rules. Read about it at http://outofthebluecompetition.com/terms-and-conditions.

Entry into the competition must be made via www.outofthebluecompetition.com.

Submission of entries signifies that the entrant fully agrees to the terms and conditions and competition rules before submitting their image.

Each entrant is allowed a maximum of five (5) entries into the competition.

Each entrant must submit a short prose narrative with each photographic entry up to a total of 200 words. This should be in English and include a brief summary of what the image is showing, why they think the image is relevant to the category and why it is important that the image is published.

Entrants must give details as to how the image was taken and the location where it was taken. These will not be shared with the judges at the time of judging.

Entrants must not include their name in the summary or give any information regarding their identity.