A photography competition featuring natural landscapes and the diverse cultures of China and the UK was launched on Wednesday in London.

The competition, open to all photography enthusiasts from around the world, has three main categories: the natural landscape and architectures, Chinese people, and culture. Aiming to enhance the cultural communications between the two countries, bringing closer together the two peoples and their lives, the competition does not impose limitations on age, nationalities or careers among participants.

The panel of judges saw some of the big names in both Chinese and British photography, including Professor of Beijing Film Academy Yang Enpu, former council member of China Photographer Zhou Meisheng, Tim Flach, president of the Association of Photographers of UK and Simon Hill, president of the Royal Photographic Society.

"Photography is the medium of our age, and we are in the time where we're surrounded by imagery," said Tim Flach, adding that the competition provides a good opportunity for bridging the two different cultures of China and the UK.

"China has such a diverse landscape, so there is incredible range and diversity that can be celebrated in the submissions," he added.

Dr. Michael Pritchard, director of programmes at the Royal Photographic Society, also shared his experience of working with Chinese photographers.

"The pictures are worth more than a thousand words," said Pritchard. "For me taking pictures in China and showing it to my family or to some of the members will tell them far more about my experiences with people, with places and things I've seen and done in China than if I wrote that down."

Jointly organized by the China National Tourist Office, Nouvelles d'Europe UK Edition and Shangtufang Image Art Studio, the event has support from the Cultural Affairs of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Global Photographic Union (GPU), Sino-European Arts (SEA), and Beijing-London Short Video Festival (BLSF).

China Global Television Network (CGTN) is among the media partners as well.

The submission of works will be open until October 31, and the panel of judges made up of professional photographers from both China and the UK, will decide on 50 finalists, the selected works of which will be showcased on the Instagram account of the organizers, as well as a Metaverse Gallery "Beauty Across Borders" on Spatial.io.

The competition will also announce three winners for top award, nine winners for second award, 15 winners for third award and 30 winners for honorable mentions.

INFORMATION ON COMPETITION

Competition Sections: 

"Beautiful China" showcase the breathtaking natural landscapes, ancient monuments, and modern architecture that adorn China's vast and diverse land. 

"Splendid China" This section encourages participants to capture the splendid and diverse cultural manifestations across China, such as festivals, folk customs, Intangible Cultural Heritage Crafts, showcasing the rich cultural life of the Chinese people and the positive and uplifting spirit of various ethnic groups. 

"Impressions of China and the UK" Capture Chinese cultural elements in various places throughout the UK, from British people dressed in Chinese costumes and cheongsams to vibrant Chinatowns and fascinating Chinese technological gadgets.

Submission Period: July 26 – October 31, 2023. All participants must submit their artworks through https://chinaukpc.com/ and via email.

Submission email: submission@chinaminutes.com

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