Sydney Life finalists announced

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said in October our City celebrates Sydneys vibrant, creative spirit with the popular Sydney Life photography exhibition in Hyde Park

Images of a new mother and baby seconds after birth, a colourful character from the Hellfire club, a storm brewing over the Domain and a former Guantanamo Bay detainee are among many stunning finalists in this years Sydney Life photography competition.

A record 830 images were submitted to the competition this year, which is part of Sydneys biggest public art festival, Art & About.

This years finalists go into the running for the $10,000 first prize, consisting of $5,000 cash plus a $5,000 investment in the AMP Capital Sustainable Share Fund. The winner will be announced at the free public launch of Art & About in Taylor Square, Darlinghurst on October 9.

Sydney Life will be on exhibition along the central walkway of Hyde Park North from October 4 - 26, forming an amazing open-air gallery. Visitors to Sydney Life will be able to vote in the Peoples Choice Award, with the winning photographer receiving FUJIFILM Australia products worth $3,000.

Hyde Park will also see art and food combined at The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Month Night Noodle Markets open each weekday night from October 13 - 24.

"Sydney Life really captures the diversity, drama, humour, culture and vibrancy of our City through photography. The high quality of entries this year meant the judging panel had a very difficult job selecting the 22 finalists,"said Sydney Life Curator Sandy Edwards.

This years judging panel includes Sandy Edwards (Curator, Sydney Life), Malcolm Smith (Program Manager, Australian Centre for Photography), Inara Walden (Curator, Museum of Sydney) and Alastair Walton (Director, City Engagement, City of Sydney).

SYDNEYLIFE 2008 - FINALISTS: