Entries open for mEYE World Photographic Competition

Macular Disease Foundation Australia is calling for entries into the 2015 mEYE World Photographic Competition. Open to all Australian residents, the competition this year asks entrants to submit a photograph that captures the theme ‘See My World’.

The annual event helps to raise awareness of macular disease, Australia’s leading cause of blindness and severe vision loss. Macular disease includes diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration — conditions which take away the sight of many Australians — but if these are detected early, sight can still be saved.

“This competition reminds us to value our vision and the importance of having an eye test and macula check to protect it,” said Macular Disease Foundation Australia CEO Julie Heraghty. “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 the competition, all you need to do is submit a photograph online in conjunction with a brief explanation of how it depicts this year’s theme. Four competition categories are open for entry: Open (general public); Macular Disease Community; Healthcare Professional; and Junior (under 18 years).

Entries will be judged on their creativity, composition, content and technique by a high-profile judging panel which includes the patron of Macular Disease Foundation Australia, Ita Buttrose; internationally recognised photographer Rex Dupain; and one of Australia’s longest serving news photographers, Alan Pryke. Buttrose said she is “looking forward to seeing entries which are personal and creative interpretations of the entrant’s world”.

The competition runs from 14 July to 8 September, with the winners to be announced on 12 November. For more information and to enter, visit www.meyephotocomp.com.au.

Image caption: Dr Kerry Boytell was named the 2014 Grand Finalist and Healthcare Professional category winner for this awe-inspiring photo of a snow leopard in the wild.