PHOTOMARATHONS
Back in early 2011 I stumbled across a reference to a Photomarathon competition that took place in Cardiff. After a bit of Googling research I was registered and keen to take on the unknown challenge of doing 12 pictures on 12 topics in 12 hours. So what is a Photomarathon? It is the challenge of having to take a number of pictures on given topics in a set time, in addition the topics are released in batches throughout the day and the topics have to be taken in the correct sequence as well. For further details on the main UK event in Cardiff visit www.photomarathon.co.uk. (Sadly this event has now ceased to operate.) A new Photomarathon has now started in Newport and is run in October. Further details can be found at www.newportphotomarathon.com It all seems pretty simple and easy in theory, but by the end of the day it can become tiring as inspirations gets drained away. I have now participated in a number of these events and details of my efforts can be found below
27^th Oct 2018, Photomarathon, Newport
Entrants = 100; Topics = 12; Time = 24 Hours
Topics:
Topics 1 - 12 1. Hero 2. Play 3. Red 4. Pattern	5. Delay 6. Symmetry 7. Storyteller 8. Union		9. Get Close 10. Tourist 11. Sharing 12. Decisive Moment
** All images are straight of the camera with no editing.
How did I do:
To be announced on November 17, 2018
25^th May 2013, Photomarathon, Cardiff
Entrants = 400; Topics = 12; Time = 12 Hours
Topics:
Topics 1 - 4 1. My Entry Number-Who Am I 2. Poetry 3. Asymmetric 4. Space	Topics 5-8 5. Out and About 6. Behind the Scenes 7. Animated 8. A Bit on the Side		Topics 9-12 9. Shadow 10. Mixed Message 11. Elegant 12. Another Perspective
** All images are straight of the camera with no editing.
How did I do:
The set of 12 images reached the final 66 judging round The follow Images were in contention for the topic prize 1 - My Entry Number-Who Am I 4 - Space 11 – Elegant
16^th June 2012, Photomarathon, Cardiff
Entrants = 400; Topics = 12; Time = 12 Hours
Topics:
Topics 1 - 4 1. My Entry Number-Celebrate 2. Press 3. Friendship 4. City Life	Topics 5-8 5. My Favourite Thing 6. The State We’re In 7. Handmade 8. Truth		Topics 9-12 9. Out of Place 10. Silence 11. Established 12. Smile
** All images are straight of the camera with no editing.
How did I do:
3 –Friendship was Topic Winner
28^th August 2011, Newport Photomarathon, Newport
Entrants = 30+; Topics = 10; Time = 10 Hours
Topics:
Topics 1 - 5 1. This is Me 2. Upside Down 3. Natures Patterns 4. Camera 5. Doubled Up		Topics 6-10 6. Your Entry Number 7. Charity 8. Up Close and Personal 9. The Human Touch 10. It’s a Strange World
** All images are straight of the camera with no editing.
How did I do:
5^th Prize
11^th June 2011, Photomarathon, Cardiff
Entrants = 400; Topics = 12; Time = 12 Hours
Topics:
Topics 1 - 4 1. My Entry Number-Work of Art 2. Inside Out 3. Community 4. Super Powers	Topics 5-8 5. Drama 6. The Great Outdoors 7. Double 8. My Secret		Topics 9-12 9. Element 10. Movement 11. Obstacle 12. I Have a Dream
** All images are straight of the camera with no editing.
How did I do:
The set of 12 images reached the final 66 judging round The follow Image was in contention for the topic prize 9 - Element
Do I have some tips? Well apart from don't do it unless you are mad: 1) Get a support team, it makes the day more fun and you have access to models for your photos if required. 2) Take some simple props along if you can, just in case E.g. Sellotape, Scissors, Pen, Paper, Cuddly Toy, Lego Figures. 3) Have friends available on the end of a phone you can bounce ideas off. 4) Google can be your friend to!! 5) Be familiar with and research the area/location you are participating in. 6) Try and think about and plan future shots while you are doing your first images.

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