Cardiff Clicks
New local amateur photography competition ‘'focuses’' on bringing families together.
Cardiff Clicks, the brain child of Photography Junior and I Loves The 'Diff, celebrated its first exhibition of finalists at The Cardiff Story in Cardiff's city centre. Supported and sponsored by CPS Homes, the night saw experienced and first-time photographers sit side-by-side in celebration of both local talent and the city as a whole. Attracting all ages, the simplicity of the competition meant anyone could enter, simply by capturing ‘What Cardiff means to them’ on camera.
“We were thrilled with the response”, exclaimed Natasha Jenkins of Photography Junior. “We simply wanted to encourage people – young and old – to pick up their cameras and enjoy going out as a family”.
Christian Amodeo, creator of I Loves The ‘Diff, said: “I really liked the idea of celebrating our city through photography, so I was keen to get involved with the event”.
The awards event was hosted by Cardiff-born Dr Rhys Jones, host of BBC One’s ‘Rhys Jones’s Wildlife Patrol’, and was attended by over one-hundred people, all vying for the top awards in each of the three age categories. As judge for the Adults category, Dr Rhys Jones was bowled over by the standard of the submissions.
“I was taken aback not only at the number of entries, but also their quality”, Rhys said. “Eventually, and after much deliberation, I chose three pictures that moved away from the traditional rugby balls, castles and stadiums. They were three pictures that spoke to me, representing all that is good about Cardiff.”
Talking of the winning photograph, Rhys enthuses: “This brilliant photograph by Paddy Faulkner screams everything that makes me proud to be a Cardiffian. Cardiff is arguably the most successful multicultural city in the United Kingdom, and has been for over a hundred years.”
The three chosen winners from each category (the Under 12s, Teens and Adults) got to see their photographs professionally exhibited, and they won prizes that included a camera and camera vouchers worth £150. Also, thanks to Cardiff Life Editor, Velimir Ilic, they will get to see their photographs featured in the magazine.
“Speaking to the children, parents, enthusiasts and supporters who attended, it was apparent that people really relished the opportunity to be part of this local event”, said Emma James of CPS Homes. “The quality of photographs across the age ranges astonished me. As an established, local business, one of our greatest pleasures is to use the skills and knowledge we’ve accumulated over the years and give back to the same local community that helped us grow. Being able to get involved and help shape Cardiff Clicks into the successful event we saw unfold was really quite a special opportunity for us all.”
Natasha’s aim was to inspire the next generation of photographers through creativity and experimentation. With the help of both Christian at I Loves the ‘Diff and Emma at CPS Homes, Cardiff Clicks seems to be well on its way to achieving Natasha’s dream.
Natasha Jenkins is a professional photographer who also founded and runs Photography Junior, an award-winning children’s-only camera club, which is the first of its kind in Wales.
Host and judge, Dr Rhys Jones BSc (Hons) MPhil PhD FLS FSB MCIEEM, is a broadcaster as well as being an ecological scientist and lecturer at Cardiff University.
Special thanks to: Wally’s Delicatessen & Touch Graphics of Cathays.
Event photographs by Scottandrachelphotography.com
THE WINNERS
Under 12’s
1st Sophie Frost – Self Portrait
2nd Lilly Gunnarsson – Roath Park Blossom
3rd Agnes Little – Roath Park Swan
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Teens
1st Genevieve Leake – Rowers on the Taff
2nd Sara Szwarc – Cardiff Sunset
3rd Daria Gutowska – Hands
Adults
1st Paddy Faulkner – Carnival
2nd Gareth Thompson – Sculpture
3rd Thomas Roberts – Fishermen
Sponsor Awards
Under 12s – chosen by I Loves the ‘Diff
Sophie Frost – Skoda
Teens – chosen by CPS Homes
Matt Peters – Pontcanna Fields
Adults – Chosen by Photo Junior
Mike Griffiths – Cardiff Bay Fireworks
Highly Commended Awards – chosen by Cardiff Life
Under 12s: Cameron Carbis – Seagulls Roath Park
Teens: Matt Peters – Pontcanna Fields
Adults: Jools Abel – Tiger Bay Cranes
