Local photographers are being asked to join their colleagues from around the world in an international photographic competition.

The competition will be launched next April by New Zealand publishing company M.I.L.K. -- Moments of Intimacy, Laughter and Kinship -- with the aim of capturing "the essence of humanity'' in all its geographic and cultural diversity.

Professional and amateur photographers from all the world's 192 countries are being asked to participate in the event and submit unique images of friendship, family and love.

Registrations have already been received from 125 countries. Celebrated Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt is the chief judge in the competition.

Project director Ruth Hamilton said: "The M.I.L.K. team is tremendously impressed with the quality of the prints submitted so far, and with the creative interpretation of the competition themes.

"This has to be one of the most affirmative projects I've ever worked on.

"The universality of humanity simply radiates from so many of the images we are receiving.'' The 300 winning images will form the M.I.L.K. Collection, the basis for a series of photographic books and a major travelling exhibition.

The winning photographers will share a cash prize pool of US$750,000 and ongoing royalties from their images.

Complete information and free entry is available on the web site at http:/www.milkphotos.com and entries cannot be postmarked later than September 30.