Contrary to popular belief there's more to camera phones than taking selfies. No really - once upon a time people used to take pictures of deadly things they spotted in the big wide world, pictures that other people would be happy to look at and share. Sure it's really interesting and cool to have 20 million snaps of yourself in various poses stored on your phone but imagine the amazing sights you are missing out on while you are perfecting your duckface and fixing your hair.
Sightsavers want to remind us to not take our sight for granted. People living in the developing world are at a greater risk of losing their sight due to preventable diseases. 90% of blindness exists in these countries yet four out of five people who are blind there do not have to be. This is why Sightsavers are calling on people across Ireland to turn their camera phones around from taking the usual 'selfies' and to Snap a Sight from the world around them.
The Snap a Sight competition is open to people of all ages living in the Republic of Ireland and photo submissions can be made through www.sightsaverscompetition.ie, on the Sightsavers Ireland Facebook page or by sending your photo, name, age, county, email and telephone details to [email protected]. The closing date for entries is 31st January 2014.
All photos entered in this nation-wide photo competition will be featured on the page in its online gallery for the public to upload, share and vote for their favourites. The top publicly liked images will be submitted to the judging panel, all of whom are top social media users - rugby legend Cian Healy, radio broadcaster Rick O'Shea, music blogger Niall Byrne (Nialler 9) and journalist Una Mullally.
Cian Healy shared these thoughts: 'As a sportsman, my sight is integral to me, without it I wouldn’t be where I am today. Because of this, I am proud to lend my support to Sightsavers. I believe that raising awareness about avoidable blindness and how we can help sends a message to people that they are capable of doing change for the better. The ‘Snap A Sight’ competition is a brilliant initiative and an easy way for people to get involved with the cause. I feel it will make a positive difference to the plight of many people in our world and I am lucky to be part of that difference in a small way.'
Snap a Sight prizes include an iPad and One4All Vouchers but the most important thing is that everyone who that enters, likes or shares a photo will be spreading the message that people should not lose their sight unnecessarily.
So get your cameras at the ready and snap the sight that you would most miss if your vision was taken away. All types of photos are welcome, from scenic views to humourous takes on the theme and photos of people are also allowed. However, to add a creative twist, only ones where the person cannot be identified will be accepted. And remember - no selfies!
Watch this deadly video of Hollywood ledge Robert de Niro made by celebrity impersonator Sean Burke talking about the competition:
