The British Heart Foundation is asking the UK to get snapping and enter the first Red for Heart Digital Photography Competition. The three winning, and a selection of finalist, images will launch National Heart Month in February 2010 with an exhibition on the landscape area next to the Merlin Entertainments London Eye, which receives an average footfall of six million visitors per year.

The theme is Red for Heart – the colour red must be incorporated into the photo, but you don’t necessarily have to feature hearts – the picture could show what heart means to you. Beyond this, the brief is open to interpretation and we are encouraging creativity! For each image submitted a short supporting statement of no more than 100 words needs to be written to describe the picture.

There are three entry categories: adults aged 16 and over, students aged 16 and over and juniors aged 15 and under. The competition is open from today and closes on 6th January 2010. There are some fantastic prizes to be won.

Category: Adults aged 16 and over

Winner: A unique opportunity for a one-to-one master class, with award winning photographer John Angerson, with a signed print and copy of his book, a Red Panasonic Lumix Camera with 8x optical zoom, a Philips Digital Photoframe that stores up to 1000 images, a beautiful bound hard back photobook of your choice from Bob Books (value up to £136.99) and a pair of tickets for the London Eye.

Category: Students aged 16 or over undertaking full or part-time courses at UK based college or university

Winner: A once in a lifetime opportunity for a one-day shoot shadowing award winning Getty Images commercial photographer Chris Ryan. The winner will also receive a Philips Digital Photoframe that stores up to 1000 images, a beautiful bound hard back photobook of your choice from Bob Books (value up to £136.99) and a pair of tickets for the London Eye.

Category: Juniors aged 15 and under

Winner: The image will be displayed in all BHF Shop windows – that is over 600 Shop windows across the UK. The winner will also receive a Philips Digital Photoframe that stores up to 1000 images, a beautiful bound hard back photobook of your choice from Bob Books (value up to £136.99) and a pair of tickets for the London Eye.

Runner up: The runner up from each category will receive a year’s subscription to Amateur Photographer Magazine and a pair of tickets for the London Eye.

Entering could not be easier – each entrant can submit up to three digital photos for a cost of £10 for adults and £5 for students and juniors. The photos will be judged by a highly esteemed judging panel; professional photographer John Angerson, The Independent on Sunday Picture Editor Sophie Batterbury, Amateur Photographer Magazine Editor Damien Demolder and Director of Content at Getty Images, Paul Foster.

To enter go to bhf.org.uk/redphotos

If you feel photography is not your thing you can still get involved in Red for Heart by joining National Wear Red Day on Friday 26 Feb. For fun and inspiring fundraising ideas for National Heart Month – February 2010 – order a Red for Heart Fundraising Kit today. Visit bhf.org.uk/red or call 0845 241 0976.

Full details on entry requirements, image size and submitting of images can be found at bhf.org.uk/redphotos

http://www.bhf.org.uk/red_for_heart_home/photography-competition-oct-09.aspx?utm_source=R4HPC-digitalphotographer&utm_medium=R4HPC-email&utm_campaign=R4HPC-redphotos