Heath Ledger, Cate Blanchett and Lleyton Hewitt on show at Werribee Mansion!

Striking images of actors Heath Ledger, Cate Blanchett and Deborah Mailman are part of 150 works on display by Australia's leading photographers at the Fuji ACMP Australian Photographers Collection 9 at Werribee Mansion from November 6 to 30, 2003.

In its ninth year, the Collection features thought-provoking, quirky and controversial images, spanning themes of celebrities, animals, children, architecture and exotic landscapes. You'll also see sporting greats like Steve Waugh, Lleyton Hewitt and Kyle Vander-Kuyp photographed as you've never seen them before!

Not only does the Collection provide major exposure for the country's most inspiring photographers, it gives the public a chance to see both commissioned and non-commissioned photography as a magnificent art form in its own right, beyond the short life of ad campaigns or magazines.

Attracting more than 120,000 visitors last year, the Fuji ACMP Australian Photographers Collection 9 will be launched in Melbourne before touring Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Fremantle and Adelaide.

Further exposing the undeniable talent of Australian photographers to the world, a selection of images from the previous Collections will tour to Tokyo, Japan for one week in November.

The Society of Advertising, Commercial and Magazine Photographers (ACMP) received 1598 submissions this year in the four categories of commissioned, non-commissioned, series and student/assistant. Judges carefully examined emotional content, composition, texture, spontaneity and overall quality of the images.

Judging panel chair, Chris Budgeon said: "We are surrounded by millions of pictures a year and the public at large is becoming increasingly savvy in their visual literacy. Putting these images into a completely different context such as an exhibition, gives a new perspective for them and opens up a new meaning."

He said the body of work in the Student/Assistant category was particularly strong and it was satisfying to see such high calibre from this emerging talent.

"'People' once again came forward as a strong and persistent theme: from the famous to the absolute unknown."

The late Rennie Ellis will be inducted into Collection 9's Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of Olive Cotton, Max Dupain, Wolfgang Sievers, Peter Dombrovskis, David Moore, Jack Cato and Athol Shmith.

With summer around the corner, Werribee Park and its beautiful historic mansion will be a popular venue for many Melbourne events. Only 20 minutes over the Westgate Bridge - make a date to experience culture at its best!

For further information or high resolution images, please contact Beth Gibson at JMM Communications (03) 9696 5060 or 0408 505 880.

* Please note: Photographer and Collection must be credited when using images

Where: Werribee Mansion, Werribee Park

Dates: November 6 to November 30 Times: 10am to 4.45pm daily

Admission: Adult $11 Concess $6.50 Child $5.50 Family (2A & 4C) $28.50

Website: www.acmp.com.au

Inquiries: Parks Victoria

Infoline: 131 963

Background
The Society of Advertising, Commercial and Magazine Photographers (ACMP) is the industry body for professional photographers and representatives from the Australian photographic industry. It was established in 1991 to raise the profile of professional photographers in Australia and overseas. As an organisation, it is committed to promoting high standards and ethics in photography.

Chris Budgeon - Judging panel chair

One of Australia's leading commercial photographers, Chris has won numerous advertising and print awards and has been photographed in the annuals of Graphis, Communication Arts and Archive.