Photography competition

pounds 15,000 IN PRIZES TO BE WON IN THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY/FIRST DIRECT AWARDS

The Independent on Sunday and First Direct, the UK's premier 24-hour direct bank, are still accepting entries for one of Europe's most generous photography competitions. The theme this year is `Celebration'. While all pictures entered for the main prizes should be in black and white, entrants are invited to interpret the theme as freely as they like. Shown below is last year's winning photograph of children in Madagascar taken by Chris Simpson, on the theme of independence.

PRIZES

AMATEUR

1st prize pounds 5,000 plus a paid photographic assignment with the IoS

2nd prize pounds 1,500

3rd prize pounds 500

PROFESSIONAL

1st prize pounds 5,000 plus a paid photographic assignment with the IoS

2nd prize pounds 1,500

3rd prize pounds 500

UNDER-18s

1st prize a PC

2nd prize a camera

3rd prize pounds 50

Twenty runners-up in each category (10 for under-18s) will have their work shown along with the winners in a special exhibition

HOW TO ENTER

Photographs must have been taken in 1998 or 1999 and must be black and white. Entry is restricted to UK residents - although pictures may have been taken anywhere in the world. Only one print per entry is permitted. (Under-18s should follow the same guidelines as above, but photographs can be any size and entries can also be in colour.)

Prints (10in x 8in minimum and 16in x 12in maximum) must be received by 31 May 1999. Judging will take place in June 1999, and the winners will be announced at a ceremony, and in the Independent on Sunday Review, in July.

On the back of the photograph please label clearly in indelible ink the category for which you are entering the picture as well as your name, age if under 18, address and a telephone number where you can be contacted. Please also indicate which category you are entering under on the reverse of the envelope. If you would like your photograph to be returned to you, please include a stamped addressed envelope and suitable packaging. Neither the Independent on Sunday or First Direct cannot accept any responsibility for material damaged in the post.

Send your entry to: Independent on Sunday/ First Direct Black & White Photographic Award, Band and Brown Communications Limited, 5 Jamestown Road, London NW1 7DB

The Independent on Sunday and First Direct reserves the right to use any photographs for promotional purposes in connection with the competition. The competition is not open to employees, families of employees or agents of Independent Newspapers, members of the HSBC Group or their agents. A list of winners will be available from Band and Brown Communications from 19 July 1999. The above constitutes the terms and conditions of the competition