Six budding photographers are being given the chance to take their own shots
of live bands, working with a professional music photographer, in a
fantastic new project.

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Youth Arts Project is offering six young
photographers the unique opportunity to be involved in a Band and Live
Performance Photography Project, working with photographer Darren Warner.

All six chosen to be part of the project will be given a complimentary
ticket to this year's Full Ponty festival to see bands such as Lost Prophets
and The Automatic. Two of the six winners will also be chosen to shadow
Darren at the Full Ponty and capture the bands performing.

To enter, you must:
· Be aged 16-25 and living in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
· Submit three photographs you have taken of a band or other live
performance. (These can be a digital photograph or prints.)
· Have some photography experience along with a passion for band
photography. Entrants must also have access to an SLR Camera, preferably
digital.

All entries should be sent to:
Liz Driscoll, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Llwyn Castan, Library Road,
Pontypridd CF37 2YA
Email: Elizabeth.A. Driscoll@rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk
Tel. 01443 490208

The closing date is Friday, May 4, 2007. Photographs will be judged by a
panel of professionals and those selected to take part will be announced on
Tuesday, May 8, 2007.

"The aim of this project is to support and develop tomorrow's budding music
photographers in Rhondda Cynon Taf, giving them a unique opportunity to
receive first hand on location training and mentoring from professionals in
how to become a music/band photographer," said Liz Driscoll, Youth Arts
Coordinator for the Council's Cultural Services.

"We have so many talented young people living in RCT, and this project will
hopefully help to develop our young people into the creative industries."

Darren Warner started his career photographing gigs at local venues around
Milton Keynes and London and moved on to work for music papers the NME and
Melody Maker, photographing bands like U2 and The Cure.

His career took him into advertising photography and commercials working out
of Los Angeles and London. He worked as part of award winning teams which
included gaining a gold Palme D'Or at Cannes with the musician Chris Rea for
a groundbreaking NSPPC Commercial.

If you are one of the six successful young photographers chosen to be part
of the project, here's what you will receive:

· A complimentary ticket to this year's Full Ponty, to see bands
including Lost Prophets and The Automatic.
· Two of the six will receive media passes to work with Darren Warner
photographing at the Full Ponty.
· Your work will be part of an exhibition at The Muni Arts Centre,
Pontypridd, in October.
· The chance to get your photographs published in the first issue of
Rhondda Cynon Taf's new music magazine, to be launched in September.
· First hand mentoring at live gigs and events, along with expert advice
on how to frame and display your work for exhibition.
· A special mock gig setting photo shoot will be created in which you
will be able to work with Darren, helping you develop techniques, including
etiquette at events and gigs.

In Association with...

www.visiblenoise.com
www.thepopfactory.com
www.sonig.org.uk