We held what turned out to be a really fun and well attended showcase and awards event for the inaugural Cardiff Clicks at The Cardiff Story museum on Friday 28 November.

Cardiff Clicks is an all-ages photography competition from Photo Junior and I Loves The ‘Diff, which we created to do two things: get people (especially families) out enjoying Cardiff and for people to celebrate the ‘Diff through photography.

“Our first Cardiff Clicks has been fantastic,” said Natasha who runs Photo Junior. “We have been really treated to an array of interesting and vibrant images. It has been great to meet all of the brilliant photographers face to face and congratulate them personally.”

Judging by the 150+ entries, the quality of the images, and the fact that more than 100 people of all ages attended the celebration event, Cardiff Clicks didn’t do badly in its first year. We’d like to say thank-you if you took part, whether that was by entering or turning up on the 28th for a drink and a chat.

We’d also like to say a massive congrats to the winners and highly commended (listed below), some of which will be published in Cardiff Life magazine.

Every single entry was on display at the event, with blown-up prints of the shortlisted photographs, kindly printed by Touch Graphics of Cathays.

Cardiff-born Dr Rhys Jones of BBC One’s Rhys Jones’s Wildlife Patrol fame one of the celebrity judges (along with photographer Warren Orchard and Welsh zoo-owning Anna Ryder Richardson) and we were lucky enough to have Rhys host the night’s proceedings.

“Regardless of age, capability or equipment, this was a competition for the people of Cardiff to express everything they love about this city in a photograph.”

Passionate about Cardiff and dressed better than Daniel Craig’s 007, the Cardiff University scientist and lecturer was really excited about the photos and had a hard time judging the Adults category.

“I was taken aback not only at the number of entries but their quality," said Rhys. "Eventually, and after much deliberation, I chose three pictures that moved away from the traditional rugby balls, castles and stadiums, three pictures that spoke to me, representing all that is good about Cardiff.”

Cardiff Clicks Winners

OVERALL AGE CATEGORY RESULTS

Under 12s
1. Sophie Frost
2. Lily Gunnarsson
3. Agnes Little

Teens
1. Genevieve Leake
2. Sara Szwarc
3. Daria Gutowska

Adults
1. Paddy Faulkner
2. Gareth Thompson
3. Thomas Roberts

SPONSOR AWARDS
Organisers’ & sponsor’s faves

Under 12s (chosen by us)
Sophie Frost

Teens (chosen by CPS Homes)
Matt Peters

Adults (chosen by Photo Junior)
Mike Griffiths

HIGHLY COMMENDED
Chosen by Vel Illic, editor of Cardiff Life

Under 12s
Cameron Carbis

Teens
Matt Peters

Adults
Jools Abel

You can see all the winning photos on the Cardiff Clicks FB page.

Prizes included a camera, camera kit vouchers worth £150, and of course I Loves The 'Diff merchandise for one lucky photographer (Matt Peters).

Sophie Frost, who came first in the Under 12 category for a brilliant self-portrait won her first camera. “I am pleased to own a real one, not a toy or mummy and daddy’s, but my first proper camera,” she said. (Please note, Sophie won both that amazing balloon camera – thanks Dr Bob’s Balloons of Barry – and a shock-proof compact digital one.)

Paddy’s Faulkner’s winning image of Daniel Crute AKA The Mighty Moustache was taken on Clifton Street during an event called Streets Alive, organised by NoFitState Circus to celebrate the opening of its new Four Elms Centre. “I was three feet away from Daniel when I took the picture and he wasn’t in any mood to stop and lose momentum,” said Paddy, pictured below shaking Rhys Jones's hand. “It was an exciting moment, but I risked being run over.”

You can see more of Paddy’s photos at panopticphotography.co.uk

“This brilliant photograph by Paddy Faulkner screams everything that makes me proud to be a Cardiffian,” said Rhys Jones. “Cardiff is arguably the most successful multicultural city in the United Kingdom, and has been for over a hundred years.” Here’s a pic of Paddy and Rhys and the winning photo, taken by Scott Griffiths. (Cheers to Scott for the photos credited to him.)

“I expected my first placed photograph to raise a few eyebrows, the choice perhaps questioned, but I was delighted when everyone just ‘got it’," said Rhys.

Of his other choices – 3rd place Thomas Roberts's bay shot, Rhys said, "The photograph depicts an old man in a cap hand in hand with a young boy as they stroll past the fishermen of the Cardiff barrage. The photograph reminded me of my own grandfather, that same profile complete with flat cap and I could almost place myself in the photograph strolling along beside him. It’s soft bronze tones seemingly transport the harbour scene back to times past more reminiscent of old Tiger Bay than the modern Cardiff bay barrage where it was taken."

Gareth Thompson was placed second for his a striking black and white portrait of the merchant seafarers’ war memorial at Cardiff Bay. "The sculpture, created and formed by Brian Fell and commissioned in 1994, has always been a favourite of mine," says Rhys. "It literally puts a face to the brave souls who lost their lives after being caught up in an armed conflict alongside our naval forces. It says a lot about Cardiff that we have a sculpture of this calibre and it was a photograph that demanded to be placed.”

Rhys would have gone on, but we had to remind him that the beers were quickly dwindling at the free bar and we needed to get over to it.

Cardiff Clicks was organised thanks to hands-on help and money from sponsor CPS Homes, so thanks very much to director Emma James for her input.

“Speaking to the children, parents, enthusiasts and supporters who attended, it was apparent that people really relished the opportunity to be part of this local event," she said. "The quality of photographs across the age ranges astonished me. "

We have to say thanks too to Dr Bob’s Balloons Unlimited for the cool camera which every kid in the room (and Rhys Jones) wanted to keep, and to Wally’s Deli for going the extra mile on the wonderful buffet and at very short notice.

Thanks also to Touch Graphics for the printing, the Cardiff Story team for their support, and finally to Rhys Jones for top being a top bloke.

The last word goes to Lily Gunnarsson, who came 2nd in the Under 12s category. Lily said, “Cardiff is such a beautiful, fun city which makes it easy to photograph. I love Cardiff.”