When entries closed at midnight on Friday for the 2018 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition a record number had been received.

Project leader Sally Cooke says they have once again been overwhelmed with the calibre and number of photos.

'Last year we received over 1700 entries, which was amazing for the inaugural event, so to top that this year is fantastic. It is great to see the community initiative continuing to grow.”

This year they received 2094 entries.

Sally says the judging process commenced as soon as entries closed.

'We have a very robust and fair judging process and a community panel of judges that consider the images on a number of aspects and elements. It's an incredibly exciting part of the project, watching the judges deliberate and choose the 20 finalists who will appear on the large-scale display boards on The Strand for the Trustpower Photographic Exhibition.

'It's no easy task because of the diversity and calibre of entries. Even more exciting will be the awards presentation when we gather the 20 finalists together and announce the winners for this year.”

This year's judging panel comprised Carolyn Schofield from Trustpower, Councillor Larry Baldock, Jenny Rudd from UNO. Magazine, Belinda Francis from Media Works, Karl Chitham from Tauranga Art Gallery, Anton Steel from Bay of Plenty Film, Millie Newitt from Downtown Tauranga, and Lena Kovac from Creative Bay of Plenty.

Trustpower marketing communications and programme manager Carolyn Schofield says the calibre and diversity this year is impressive, especially as this is very much a community initiative designed to encourage both professionals and amateur photographers to take part.

'Being involved in the local community around Tauranga has always been an important part of Trustpower's company DNA. Tauranga is our home too, and we're delighted to support the exhibition.

'It was particularly exciting to see so many entries from young people. The inclusion of a digital photography category this year gave photographers, young and old, an opportunity to showcase what can be done when creativity and technology come together.”

The winners will be announced and unveiled at an awards presentation next Friday, January 26, in Downtown Tauranga.

'We have $10,000 in prizes to give away including the Supreme Prize of a trip to London, Paris, New York or Rome worth up to $3000 from House of Travel Tauranga and Downtown Tauranga. Also this year some of the winning photos will be sent to Hitachi, Japan to appear in a photographic display there to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship.”

The exhibition, which opens to the public immediately after the awards ceremony, is run as a partnership initiative with Trustpower, Downtown Tauranga, Media Works, UNO. Magazine and The Weekend Sun and is believed to be the region's largest outdoor photographic exhibition.

The exhibition season runs until March 25 on The Strand as a free community event. For more details go to www.downtowntauranga.co.nz