Up Close and Spineless Competition

July 4, 2007: The Australian Museum is once again inviting photographers to enter the annual Up Close and Spineless invertebrate photography competition.

Now in its sixth year, the competition celebrates and explores the wonderful world of invertebrates – animals without a backbone, which inhabit both land and sea and make up more than 99% of all animal species on Earth. The competition is open to both professional and amateur photographers and features great cash prizes and photography equipment for award-winning entrants.

The competition consists of four categories ø¢â‚¬” Primary School, Secondary School, Open and Professional ø¢â‚¬” with a winner and highly commended selected from each. The winners of the Open, Secondary and Primary School categories each receive a digital camera, while the winner of the Professional category will be awarded a $600 gift certificate to spend on photographic supplies. Entries are judged on a range of criteria including clarity of detail; interesting behaviour displayed; aesthetics; composition; and, unusual or rare species.

Entries close 31 August 2007 and winning submissions will be displayed in the popular Up Close and Spineless exhibition at the AustralianMuseum later this year. For entry forms and conditions, please contact Fara Pelarek on (02) 9320 6165 or visit www.australianmuseum.net.au.