Canon launches Between the Lines student competition ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

Canon’s Between the Lines competition is a student photography competition offering ambitious amateur photographers the chance to experience a day in the life of a professional sports photographer, live from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. London, United Kingdom, 13ᵗʰ June 2022 – As part of Canon’s activity as Official Imaging Supporter of the Commonwealth Games, Canon is today launching its Between the Lines student photography competition. Aspiring amateur photographers can enter to be in with the chance of experiencing professional sports photography at one of the world’s best known sporting events. Three winning photographers will be taken trackside with Editorial and Commercial Photographer Paul Cunningham to learn top tips as well as editing expertise. With vast experience in the sports photography discipline, shooting at major international sporting events such as the World Athletics Championships, Paralympic Games, and multiple major tournaments across an array of sports, Paul will offer the competition winners invaluable advice and guidance during their photography experience.

Keeping visual storytelling at the heart of sports photography, the competition celebrates the three values of the Commonwealth Games: humanity conveying benevolence, togetherness or human nature: destiny conveying fate, aspiration or ambition; and equality conveying collective spirit, fairness, non-discrimination, or inclusion. Entrants must capture an image which reflects one of the themes which will then be judged by Neale Conroy, Canon UK and Ireland Marketing Director and Molly Darlington, Professional Sports Photographer and Canon Ambassador along with Paul Cunningham.


Judges will be assessing images based on their creativity, impact and the technical prowess. Winners will receive a full day’s mentorship on Wednesday 3rd August by professional photographer Paul Cunningham as well as a post-shoot editing session, accommodation and event tickets for Thursday 4th August. Winning images will also be showcased across Canon’s social media pages, providing the perfect opportunity for a budding photographer to gain both experience and recognition.


“We are passionate about supporting the next generation of photographers,” said Neale Conroy, Canon UK and Ireland Marketing Director. “Our Between the Lines competition provides the perfect opportunity to showcase up and coming talent and align with both our own and the Commonwealth Games values, complementing Canon’s role at the Commonwealth Games and supporting professional photographers on site. We’re excited to see thought-provoking images that demonstrate original creativity and technical prowess, all whist encapsulating one of the Commonwealth Games’ three core values.”


Molly Darlington, Professional Sports Photographer and Canon Ambassador said: “This is an amazing opportunity for an aspiring young photographer to experience for themselves what it’s like to be at the heart of the action. It’s so hard to put into words the rush of adrenaline you feel when you’re trying to get the perfect shot – there’s nothing like it. I can’t wait to see the final images our winners produce.”


Entries open on Thursday 26th May 2022, please find more information, including submission process here www.canon.co.uk/get-involved/competition/between-the-lines