5 June 2009

Internationally acclaimed photographer to open exhibition

World-renowned landscape photographer Colin Prior will announce the winner of a competition to produce the image that best captures the essence of 21st Century Dundee when he visits the city later this month.

Glasgow-based Colin’s distinguished career has seen him receive international acclaim for prestigious calendar commissions for the likes of British Airways, his solo exhibitions and several books of his work.

He will attend the opening of an exhibition showcasing a selection of entries to `Picturing Dundee - The University of Dundee Photography Competition’, which takes place at the University’s Dalhousie Building on Monday, June 22nd.

Attendees will have the chance to view the exhibition before it opens to the public the following day. Afterwards, they will have the opportunity to hear Colin talk about his photographs, influences and experiences before he announces the competition results and presents the winners with their prizes.

The competition received well over 400 entries, and the overall winning image, along with best student, staff and external entries, was selected by a panel of judges. The exhibition of winning and highly commended entries will take place at the Dalhousie Building between June 23rd and July 7th 2009.

Winning photographers will receive high quality digital camera equipment as prizes, as well as possibly seeing their images used in the University’s promotional material.

Director of External Relations Joan Concannon said the judging panel had been overwhelmed at the response to the competition. 'We anticipated a high standard of entry, but the quality of submissions really has surpassed our expectations,' she said.

'There are many amazing things happening right across Dundee and it was utterly fascinating, and a privilege, to see what the city means to so many different people.'

'Dundee is a vibrant, dynamic city with a proud history and the photographers who entered the competition managed to encapsulate both this and the exciting changes taking place across Dundee.'

'This competition has been a great success and we are confident that people will be impressed when they see the best entries displayed together in the public exhibition. The winning entries have certainly proved worthy of appearing in publications that will be used to promote the University to a worldwide audience.'

Both amateur and professional photographers were invited to take inspiration from their surroundings and submit images of the city and/or the University that capture exactly what it is that marks out modern Dundee.

In addition to technical merit and composition, the suitability and relevance of the images for University publications and the way in which the theme has been communicated were considered by the judging panel.

The University is seeking to enhance its reputation, and that of the city, with quality images that encapsulate the spirit of Dundee to showcase across the globe.

A digital SLR camera worth up to £800, or other equipment to an equivalent value, will be awarded to the photographer whose entry is judged best overall photograph, while the runner-up will receive a digital compact camera worth up to £200.

Three additional prizes of £20 Jessops vouchers will be awarded for the best student, staff and external entries.

Anyone interested in attending the preview evening can obtain free tickets by emailing events@dundee.ac.uk or by calling 01382 385564.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk