A record number of entries for the 2019 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition have presented judges with an exciting challenge.

When entries closed at midnight on Thursday for the 2019 Trustpower Photographic Exhibition more than 3600 entries had been received.

Project lead Sally Cooke says they were once again overwhelmed with the calibre and number of photos.

'Last year we received over 2000 entries which was amazing for the second year of the event, so to top that this year with a more than 75 per cent increase I entry numbers is fantastic. It is great to see the community initiative continuing to grow.”

Sally says the judging process is now underway.

'It's an incredibly exciting part of the project, watching the judges deliberate and choose the 20 finalists who will appear on the large-scale display boards on The Strand for the Trustpower Photographic Exhibition.

'It's no easy task because of the diversity and caliber of entries. Even more exciting will be the awards presentation when we gather the 20 finalists together and announce the winners for this year.”

One of the judges, Mainstreet Tauranga's Manager Millie Newitt says she has already started looking through some of the entries.

'It's going to be tough as there is an exceptionally high standard this year and there is amazing variety in the images.

'Choosing the top 20 won't be easy but it's incredibly rewarding to judge this competition alongside the other judges and enjoy the talent that is on display through the photos.”

The winners will be announced and unveiled at an awards presentation on Friday, January 25 with the 20 finalists appearing in the exhibition and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place-getters sharing in $10,000 in cash prizes.

The exhibition, which opens to the public immediately after the awards ceremony, is run as a partnership initiative with Trustpower, Downtown Tauranga, Media Works, UNO. Magazine and Weekend Sun and is believed to be New Zealand's largest outdoor photographic exhibition.

The exhibition season runs until April 14 on The Strand as a free community event. For more details go to www.downtowntauranga.co.nz