Captured on film
The Getty Images Gallery contains over 70 million images dating back to the 19th century
As director of the Getty Images Gallery in London for 8 years, Louise Garczewska knows more than a thing or two about what makes a truly great photographer. "One of the biggest things I'm looking forward to is the prospect of finding an incredible new talent," she says, when quizzed about the Duracell How do you Recharge Your Batteries? photography competition.
The Getty Images Gallery is one of the most comprehensive collections of photography, with 70 million images dating right back from the 19th century. It's Garczewska's job to dive into this vast archive and source specific images for various exhibitions and projects that take place throughout the year.
"One of the things I love most about my job is when we're given a really specific brief, to find certain images from a particular period or subject," she says. "We can do 'deep file' research into the depths of our library – stretching right back to when photography was first invented – in order to find just one image.
"Right now we're looking at shots from Afghanistan, which were taken in the late-1800s; they're incredible. We've got portraits of everyone from Karl Marx to Kate Moss – and anyone you can think of in between."
The idea behind the gallery was to showcase some of these wonderful images to the public, rather than keeping them locked away. Since the space opened in 1996, Garczewska has overseen several major exhibitions including The 100 Most Beautiful Women, which ran in conjunction with Harper's Bizarre, and 40 Years of Legends – an exhibition celebrating motor racing's greatest heroes.
An expert panel of judges – including two Getty photographers, a picture editor from The Independent and renowned fashion and portrait photographer, Huggy Ragnarsson – will choose 50 of the best photographs from the winners of the Duracell How do You Recharge Your Batteries? competition which will then be shown at the Getty Images Gallery from 29 September to 25 October. Getty Images Gallery, 46 Eastcastle St, London W1W 8DX (020-7291 5380; www.gettyimagesgallery.com).
Duracell photography competition
