Macular Disease Foundation Australia launches annual mEYE World Photographic Competition

Macular Disease Foundation Australia is calling for entries into the fifth annual mEYE World Photographic Competition and is asking all Australians to submit a photograph that captures the theme: See My World.

A high profile judging panel will decide this years’ winners, including media identity and Patron of Macular Disease Foundation Australia Ita Buttrose, internationally recognised photographer Rex Dupain and one of Australia’s longest serving news photographers, Alan Pryke.

Says Buttrose, who has judged the competition for four years: “Photography captures the world around us like no other medium. It gives a unique insight into the world of the photographer and I am looking forward to seeing entries which are personal and creative interpretations of the entrant’s world.”

Macular disease is the leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss in Australia and includes diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. These diseases take away the sight of Australians but if detected early sight can be saved.

Says Julie Heraghty, chief executive officer, Macular Disease Foundation Australia: “This competition reminds us to value our vision and the importance of having an eye test and macula check to protect it. There is so much beauty in the world around us and I encourage all Australians to embrace the theme See My World by entering a photo which highlights the importance of sight in their daily life.”

To enter, submit a photograph online that represents the theme of See My World, plus a brief description. There is over $13,000 worth of prizes to be won.

The competition runs until 8 September 2015.

For more information and to enter, visit www.meyephotocomp.com.au.

2015 Competition details:

The competition runs from 14 July to 8 September. 

Winners will be announced on 12 November.

The four categories for the competition are:

Open – general public

Macular disease community

Healthcare professional

Junior – under 18 years.

Entries must be submitted online and in conjunction with 30 – 60 words that explain how the entrant’s photograph depicts this year’s theme of ‘See My World’. Entries will be judged on their creativity, composition, content and technique.

(Photo credit: Dr Kerry Boytell, of Mosman NSW, won the Grand Finalist and Healthcare Category prize for the mEYE World Photographic Exhibition 2014 with an awe-inspiring photo of a snow leopard in the wild)