WORLD'S RICHEST PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION LAUNCHES AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, 13 April 1999 /NZPA-AsiaNet/--Photographers from every country are invited to take part in the richest photographic competition in history. Organisers of M.I.L.K. (Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship) expect the work submitted to be comparable to 1955's ground-breaking "Family of Man" exhibition in scope and quality. Winning photographers will share a prize pool of US$750,000, and for many it will be the stepping stone to international recognition. Chief Judge for the M.I.L.K competition is renowned New York photographer Elliott Erwitt and the project is backed by major London-based international publisher Hodder Headline PLC. Project Director Ruth Hamilton says 100 winning photographers will be selected in each of three categories: Friendship, Family and Love. A major international publishing programme based on the winning images is planned under a licensing arrangement with the winners. Photographers will retain all copyright in their work and they will receive an ongoing share of publishing royalties. Entry is free. As one of the world's most respected photographers, Elliott Erwitt's work has been seen by millions. His books are best-sellers because of his skill, but also because of his humour, optimism and faith in humanity - qualities the M.I.L.K. project seeks in this global competition. Elliott Erwitt has this advice for those entering work. "The kinds of pictures I would hope to see are .... pictures that champion the joy of living rather than the opposite. But ... they've got to be good pictures. [Photos] have got to tell you something that you haven't seen, or touch you in some way emotionally," he says. The M.I.L.K. website at www.milkphotos.com includes full competition details and online registration forms. Closing date for entries is 30 September 1999.For more information contact:Ruth HamiltonPhone: +64 9 300 9957Email [email protected]