Amateur and professional photographers will be able to enjoy unprecedented access to some of the most remarkable science and technology currently being undertaken in the UK, as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is to hold a series of 'Photowalks' across its impressive sites at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh, its Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire and its Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire, on 22, 23, 24 November respectively.

For the first time, more than 250 photographers will be given a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes tour of their chosen location and invited to take photos that provide a fresh perspective on the world-leading facilities there and the world-changing science and technology they host.

The best of the photos from each Photowalk will be eligible for entry into a unique regional and national competition. Judges will include award-wining photographer Max Alexander, professional scientists and members of the public, who will be able to vote for their favourite photos online.

Max Alexander said: "STFC's Photowalks are a fantastic and rare opportunity for members of the public and enthusiastic photographers to capture exciting images at some of the UK's leading science and technology facilities. I thoroughly recommend entering this competition, to get behind the scenes of these inspiring and world class facilities."

Photowalks, which involve walking with the specific aim of taking photos, are a well-established communal activity enjoyed by amateur and professional photographers all over the globe. The events will provide opportunities to visit a range of leading-edge facilities, such as the Diamond Light Source, the Central Laser Facility and the Robotics Trial Area at RAL, and the ALICE and EMMA accelerators and the Cockcroft Laboratories at Daresbury.

As part of the Photowalk at the Royal Observatory, a limited number of places are also available for an exclusive tour of the Crawford collection of historic books and manuscripts, one of the world's most extensive and valuable astronomical libraries.

Professor John Womersley, STFC Director of Science Programmes, says: "We want these Photowalks to generate some really striking exterior and interior images that will raise awareness of our cutting-edge science and technology. We're excited to see what eye-catching and surprising results a wide range of photographic styles and approaches will produce."

Each photographer will be invited to upload five of their photos on STFC's website within a week of the event. The best regional photo will receive a prize (£100 of vouchers from photographic retailers Jessops) and the best 10 from each group will go forward to a national competition alongside images taken during corresponding STFC Photowalks. The winner of the national competition, which will be announced in January, will win an iPad or £500 Jessops vouchers.

Winning photos and a selection of others will be posted on STFC's website. STFC hopes that the best images will be a permanent addition to the extensive portfolio of photographs it uses to raise awareness of its wide-ranging and fascinating work.

Places on the Photowalks are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. On registering, applicants will be sent a full information pack including factsheets on the facilities that will be visited during the tour. All participating photographers must be 18 years old or over.

Photographers interested in taking part in this free event should register now.

Follow the build-up to the Photowalk, on STFC's Twitter pages (link opens in a new window).

Notes for editors

The Photowalk at the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh will take place on 22 November 2011 and is limited to 20 photographers per session. Session 1 will be staged from 10.00 until 13.00 and session 2 from 14.00 until 17:00. Places on the tours of the Crawford collection are available on a first come, first served basis. Capacity is limited to ten people on each of the tours, which start at 11.30am and 3.00pm. Applications for a place can be made during the online registration process for the Photowalks (see main text above).

The Photowalk at Daresbury will take place on 23 November 2011 and is limited to 30 photographers per session. Session 1 from 09.00 until 11.00, session 2 from 11.00 until 13.00 and session 3 from 14.00 until 16.00.

The Photowalk at RAL will take place on 24 November 2011 and is limited to 72 photographers per session. Session 1 will be staged from 10.00 until 12.30 and session 2 from 14.00 until 17:00.

Max Alexander (link opens in a new window) is an award-winning editorial and commercial photographer. Born in New Zealand, he has been based in London for the last 20 years. He travels extensively for a large number of publications and his books include 'Bordeaux and its Wines' and most recently 'Vivir Madrid' for the regional government of Madrid.

Contacts

• Wendy Ellison
  STFC Press Officer
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603 232

Further information

• About STFC