A PHOTOGRAPHER in Altrincham has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award in the eighth annual EEF manufacturing photography competition.

Twenty-four-year-old, Matt McGillicuddy, was shortlisted in the amateur photographer category, for his image of Precision Investment Castings’ Machine Shop in Altrincham.

His photograph will now go on display at an awards ceremony in the House of Commons where the winning photographers will be announced on December 12.

Matt said: “I’m delighted to be shortlisted and honoured that my work will be on display in the House of Commons. Manufacturing offers lots of opportunities for exciting and dynamic images – the challenge as a photographer is to capture it in a single shot. I really hope my photograph goes a small way to changing people’s perceptions of manufacturing.”

Matt got into photography when he worked part time in sales and marketing at his family-run photography business.

He said: "I worked there for around five years whilst completing my a-levels and although I'm not a photographer I was fortunate enough to pick up bits and pieces and learn about the technical side of photography."

From here, Matt went to work in manufacturing, again in sales and marketing. He took photo's for content to be able to promote the businesses machinery, which is where he captured the photo for the award."

The competition aims to raise the profile of modern day UK manufacturing by showcasing the industry’s creativity, diversity and heritage through inspiring photography.

This year’s shortlisted photographs portray the various stages of manufacturing - from design, process and technology in action through to the finished product - and cover both traditional and high-tech sectors. There are £5,000 of prizes up for grabs for winners.

Terry Scuoler CBE, CEO of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, says: “This competition is all about capturing how innovative and exciting modern manufacturing is. Matt should be very proud that his image successfully captures the ingenuity and dynamism of our industry. I can’t wait to see this incredible image, along with all the other shortlisted images, on display in the House of Commons later in December.”