Liverpool’s first Liverpool City Region photography award, LCR23, is taking place at the Open Eye Gallery in Mann Island between 10th March - 23rd April.

Pretence went along to the launch event on Friday 10th March, and what a launch it was.  The gallery was packed with photographers, creatives and enthusiasts, all sharing a mutual appreciation for the offerings from Liverpool photographers.

The award itself is divided into the categories of Urban Living, Wildlife & Nature, Youth, People & Places, Portrait, Sport, Still Life, Analogue, Creative, Living Sustainably and Mobile.  As a fitting testament to the diversity of Liverpool, each category delivers a varied response from its inhabitant photographers, from the traditional capture of the industrious bee, playful youths at the docks to images of refugees on their journey to a new home.  Proud cultures and people from all walks of life, brought together in one exhibition.

Such is the diversity of the exhibition, the jurors couldn’t agree upon the overall winner.  Category winners and  four Jurors Choice commends, still led to a split decision.  Eventually two photographers received the honour of overall winners Ahmed Mohamed, for his series documenting his journey through borders, and Jane MacNeil for her vivid urban nature images.

In all, 380 photographers entered the LCR23 Award, a fantastic response and a massive undertaking for the jurors.  Those who didn’t make the shortlist get more than a Thank You however, with their entries on show in the popular digital display in the Open Eye Gallery window.

The exhibition is free to view, so, if you haven’t visited the exhibition yet, we highly recommend you take the opportunity to get down and see it.