Faith Through A Lens - Photography Competition 2011

Congregational & General Insurance (C&GI) is one of the country’s most respected insurers of homes and churches.  Based in Bradford, C&GI is wholly-owned by the Congregational & General  Charitable Trust which to date has received over £6million for disbursement through grant application to churches and other worthy causes.

Following its successful the launch last year, Congregational and General are running a photography competition to showcase the positive impact faith has in the local communities across the UK and beyond. 

Backed by other community groups, including Community Matters, The Inter-Faith Network and Churches Together in England, the competition invites all budding photographers from all faith groups to enter a photograph that conveys the importance of faith, be it within their local community or globally.  The judging will be led by award-winning photographer, Don McCullin.

‘Faith through a lens’ seeks to find a photograph that reflects various aspects of faith and the community. The competition seeks to inspire people when taking their picture by providing the following five categories that the winning image will be judged upon:

-          MOMENTS OF FAITH
Capture those special moments that really demonstrate the faith that exists within your community, whether it be a planned event or a one-off instance that catches the eye and the imagination.

-          COMMUNITY HEROES
The positive role that people can play within a community can go unrecognised. Perhaps get a snapshot of those special people around you who show an exceptional contribution to their community.

-          PLACES OF FAITH
There are unique places which can encourage faith. Perhaps your picture could incorporate one of these and illustrate how important these are to your community.

-          COMMUNITY SPIRIT AGAINST THE ODDS
For more than one reason it has been a difficult time for many over the past few years. Perhaps for some it has been a time when part of community has been particularly important. A photograph which conveys how your community has stuck together could make a great entry.

-          NEW FAITH
A look to the future! Is there an image of new life, an object or even a new place that signals that faith will be present in your community for generations to come?

Photo entries can be uploaded to the microsite – www.faiththroughalens.co.uk – or via the Congregational & General Facebook page.  The winner, runner-up and highly recommended entrants will be announced at an exclusive event to be held during Interfaith Week, 20-26 November 2011.

The judging panel for ‘Faith through a lens’ consists of; Internationally renowned photo-journalist Don McCullin; Chief Executive of Community Matters, David Tyler; Revd Dr David Cornick, General Secretary of Churches Together in England; and Paresh Solanki from Inter Faith Network.

Members of the public will, for the first time, also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite image through the dedicated microsite – www.faiththroughalens.co.uk  and social media platforms when the public voting stage of the competition opens on 01 September. 

The winner of the competition will not only receive a prize for themselves, but prizes will also be awarded to their chosen faith, charity or community group.  The winners will be awarded £ 1,000, £750 or £500 to spend on photography equipment with their nominated church or charity or community organisation also given the same sum.