The competition, ‘Capturing the Spirit of Modern Manufacturing’ is being launched with the support of Manufacturing Insight, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and The Digital Asset Lab.

It is aimed at professionals and amateurs from within manufacturing companies and elsewhere, as well as young people aged 14-19. It is intended to showcase the excellence of UK industry, through high end visually striking technology, processes and people.

The competition will culminate in awards for the winning entry in each of the three categories of professional, amateur and young people aged 14-19. They will be presented at the prestigious EEF Future Manufacturing Awards in January 2011 and used to promote EEF’s Manufacturing Week in Spring 2011.

Commenting, EEF Chief Executive, Terry Scuoler, said: “For too long there has been a stereotypical image of our sector which is way out of line with reality. Modern manufacturing is a vibrant arena in which to operate with the potential for striking imagery of technology, processes and people. This is the chance for manufacturing companies and their workforce to help do something about this image and change way people think by capturing its spirit.“

Giving his support to the competition, Business Minister, Mark Prisk MP, said: “Many people have an outdated image of manufacturing, which means that too many people don’t realise how modern industry works. This Government is committed to promoting manufacturing so that we can attract the talent which will make us more competitive on the world stage and generate growth.  I fully support this competition which will encourage young people to discover and capture the true innovative spirit of manufacturing in this country.”

Entry is via the EEF website www.eef.org.uk/photo with entries closing at the end of this year.

We English, the latest work of one previous winner, Simon Roberts, will be exhibited at the Museum in March 2010. We English was produced with the help of a £7,000 award from the scheme.

Applicants must provide a brief written synopsis of their proposal together with their CV, an example of their work, and application form. Applications are invited from all nationalities providing they are resident in the UK at the time of the award and forms can be downloaded from:

http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/Photography/Photo_Bursary.asp

Projects must be completed within one year of awards being made and successful applicants are expected to work independently, but will receive support and guidance from Museum staff if required. At the completion of the project successful applicants must donate one work from an edition, or a series of works, to the National Media Museum.

The closing date for applications is 25 September 2009.

The sponsors working in partnership with the Museum are
Michael G Wilson (Chairman of the Trustees of the National Media Museum),
Zelda Cheatle (WMG Photography Advisor and Curator),
Simon Crocker (Chairman of The John Kobal Foundation),
Pierre Brahm (Chairman of the BRAHM and Henry & James Property Group),
James Hyman (James Hyman Gallery)