Visitors to Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West, which is renowned for its beauty, architecture, manicured gardens, soaring mountain peaks and wildlife, have the opportunity to enter a photographic competition, Essence of Vergelegen, and showcase their work to a wider audience.
“Vergelegen is so much more than a wine farm, it is an historical gem that’s constantly evolving and ready to be explored and discovered,” said managing director Wayne Coetzer. “With so much heritage, visual beauty and photo-worthy moments, we are asking professional and amateur photographers, and visitors, to submit images which best capture this spectacular location. The judges will be on the hunt for eye-catching images that inspire viewers and make them want to visit Vergelegen. Photographers must also reflect what they believe Vergelegen stands for – the essence of Vergelegen.”
There are three entry classes: camera class (taken on any camera, with or without lenses), smart phone class (any cellphone or mobile device); and junior class (under the age of 16 years, image taken on any device).
Photographs must be taken from December 2022 to end-January 2023. No images taken before 1 December 2022 will be accepted.
The top 30 entries in each class will be announced on the estate’s website and social media on Friday 10 February. These will be whittled down to the top 20 in each class, announced on Friday 17 February, and the top 10 on Tuesday 21 February. The winners will be announced at an awards event at Vergelegen on Tuesday 28 February .
There will be one overall prize-winner, plus a runner-up in each class. In addition, a People’s Choice Award will be made according to event guests’ votes. The judging panel will comprise professional photographers, a representative of Orms camera store, Coetzer, and Stephen Forbes of Meropa Communications.
There are some great prizes to be won, including two Canon PowerShot Zoom cameras worth R4 495 each sponsored by Orms, Vergelegen tour experiences, restaurant vouchers and wine. The finalists’ images will be exhibited in the glorious surroundings of the estate in March next year for all visitors to view, with the intention to make this an annual event.
Criteria for the Essence of Vergelegen competition include:
• Each entry must relate to Vergelegen and be taken at the estate.
• The image must be submitted with a caption that tells a story. The judges will consider both the image and caption.
• Two photographs are allowed per person. All entrants must confirm that the images are their own work.
• Entry is free.
• High resolution images will be required upon being chosen to be in the exhibition.
• The winners and owners of the top 10 images must undertake to have their photographs displayed at the estate and used on social media, in print communications and Vergelegen digital channels. The image owner will always be credited. Any further use, which is considered commercial, will be agreed in writing with the photographer.
Scan the QR to enter the competition, or go to https://forms.zohopublic.com/vergelegen/form/VergelegenPhotographyCompetition/formperma/bczIqDFUywxyLkBw3tEl-Z2kH1LSrmF-YZ5sP5x7PD8.
