Amateur photographers now have another reason to register scenes in São João da Barra: the João Batista Rocha Award. The contest, launched by the Port of Açu, aims to encourage production of visual memories of São João da Barra and also pay homage to photographer João Batista Rocha, who registered inspiring moments in the city during a 40-year career. The cultural contest is also supported by the Mayor’s Office of São João da Barra, the Municipal Culture Council and the Thoquino beverage plant.
As the celebrated photographer did, the idea is for residents, workers and admirers of São João da Barra to turn their lenses to local landscapes. “Our city has magical scenarios, the most beautiful sunset I ever saw and it is where the Paraiba River meets the sea in Atafona, with so many stories to tell. I guarantee you that it is impossible not to get inspired. Certainly, the contest will encourage the ‘João Batista Rocha’ vision in each participant,” said Gleide Gomes, Social Responsibility coordinator of the Port of Açu.
To participate, amateur photographers just need a recent visual registration of São João da Barra, having the city as main character. Given that the city’s beauties forego any filters, retouched photographs are not allowed. Photos should be posted on Instagram using the hashtag #premiojbatistarocha, informing the date and location. The contest will consider pictures posted between 5pm on June 1 and 6pm on June 12.
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“The contest seeks to gather images captured by the eyes of citizens who are in love with São João da Barra, as was our celebrated photographer, who took the pictures of most postcards of the city. From the beach to the quayside, from the first to the sixth district, from town squares to the countryside, and from sunrise to sunset, the city has a variety of inviting scenes,” said Flávio Martins, chairman of the Municipal Culture Council.
All images will be submitted to a Judging Commission that will select the top 10. The criteria are originality, creativity and suitability to the proposed theme. The author of the best picture will receive a Cannon T3 I photo camera. All selected photographs will be part of an exhibit in São João da Barra. For this reason, participants must have the original file with at least 2Mb.
“History is everything that surrounds us and can be transmitted in writing, speech and photographs that allow moments, natural beauties, buildings and everything in our dear city to become eternal. The contest will allow each resident to show his or her vision and all of us are very happy for the homage to photographer João Batista, who we miss so much,” said Lúcia Siqueira, the local Secretary of Education and Culture.
The awards ceremony, along with the opening of the exhibition, will be held on June 24 at 4 pm at the Narcisa Amália Cultural Center (Rua Barão de Barcelos nº 88), in São João da Barra.
Please check out the regulations on the contest’s hotsite at premiojoaobatistarocha.com.br. All images submitted to the competition will be available on the website and can also be found on Instagram, using the hashtag #premiojbatistarocha
