Ballarat will be put into the spotlight as entrants are encouraged to capture images of the city representing life through their eyes.

The Ballarat Foundation chief executive officer Geoff Sharp said this year’s competition was about giving a personal insight into what mades Ballarat so special.

“We’re looking for remarkable images and we want people to think about crafty images, but we’re not looking for professional photographers. We want people to express how they see Ballarat.

“We’re really looking for stories. A picture is worth a thousand words, but we want the story behind the picture.”

Mr Sharp said he hoped to expand on the 400 entries in the competition’s inaugural event in 2013.

“One of the winning photos last time was a photo of the Arch of Victory taken through a windshield on a rainy day with an iPhone – it shouldn’t have worked, but it was incredible,” he said.

“Last time we had lots of images of Lake Wendouree, but this time we want photos of people and the stories that make Ballarat so special.”

This year’s competition categories include places, faces and the people’s choice category which will be judged on Facebook.

A young photographer category has been added to encourage younger people to show others in the community how they see Ballarat.

The competition will coincide with the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, with entries on display at Central Square in August.

Entires are open and will close on July 27.

For information or to enter, visit ballaratfoundation.org.au/photocomp or www.facebook.com/BallaratThroughMyEyes