The winners of Hackney’s photographic treasure hunt Capture Hackney were announced last week (4 December) when a new exhibition of photographs, taken as part of the borough wide competition, was launched at Hackney Museum.

Over 500 photos were entered in the popular Capture Hackney competition, organised by Hackney Council’s Culture Team in partnership with Shoot Experience, which ran throughout late summer and early autumn this year.

Participants were invited to show off their photography skills and solve the puzzles with creative, original photos involving Hackney’s cultural highlights for the chance to win prizes.

The panel of judges were really impressed with the creativity and number of photos entered. But after much deliberation they managed to whittle the photos down to a shortlist of 10 before choosing three main winners.

First prize, an Olympus SLR and digital camera, went to Itziar Lorente. Second prize, a Mathmos ‘Big Blimp’ light, to Renato Larine and Hugh King won the third prize, a Shoot Experience hamper. The winners also received tickets to a range of cultural venues in Hackney. All prizes were sponsored by local businesses.

Councillor Nargis Khan, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “Capture Hackney was a wonderful showcase for the borough, a culturally cosmopolitan area with a fantastic collection of galleries, theatres museums and libraries, as well as popular parks and open spaces. Congratulations to everyone involved and all those who participated, especially the winners.”

A selection of photographs from the competition, including the winning entries, is now on display in the new exhibition at Hackney Museum on Reading Lane. The exhibition is free and runs until 14 February 2009.

For more information about exhibitions at Hackney Museum call 020 8356 3500 or visit the Council’s website: www.hackney.gov.uk/museum