How to #SnapMelbourne: What you need to do to get involved in the community event of the year

#SnapMelbourne 2016 is a day of snapping, hashtagging and sharing what we love about Melbourne life. Here’s the lowdown on what it is, and how to get involved.

#SNAPMELBOURNE will culminate on November 16 in a day of snapping, hashtagging and sharing as we come together to celebrate what we love about Melbourne life.

Here’s how to get involved in the community event of the year:

What is #SnapMelbourne?

The aim of SnapMelbourne is simple: to celebrate what we love about our city. So you are invited to snap pictures of Melbourne life and share them with your fellow Melburnians on social media.

When will it be held?

From sunrise on Wednesday 16 November, for 24 hours. But we encourage you to start practising now!

How do I take part?

Snap. Hashtag. Share. Take a picture that embodies your city, suburb or street. Hashtag it #SnapMelbourne, then post it to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

Remember to make your Facebook profile public so we can see your shots!

Can I take pictures in my local community?

Yes please! This is a local, community initiative and the best pictures are those we take in our own backyards and the streets where we live.

Keith Forbes has been taking an early-morning dip at Brighton every morning for the past 54 years. Picture: Valeriu Campan

What hashtags do I use on my social channels?

#SnapMelbourne or, if you happen to be interstate, #SnapSydney, #SnapAdelaide, #SnapBrisbane, #SnapPerth are also happening around the country.

Where can I see all the pictures?

Here you’ll find information about competitions, events and those who have leant their support to #SnapMelbourne so far.

What kind of pictures should I take?

In the lead up to November 16, we’d love to see pictures in three main categories:

1. How your city wakes up: (This can be anything from a stunning sunrise, your morning run to a delicious breakfast).

Shooting into the sun in the early morning can produce a great effect.

2. Local larrikins and characters: introduce us to the people who make your community unique.

3. Pictures of your passions: show us what you love most about our town.

Any top tips for taking great pics?

As a matter of fact we do. Experts from the Canon Collective have offered to take the perfect #SnapMelbourne shot for How your City Wakes Up:

● Silhouettes work brilliantly for sunrises. Aim your camera at a bright light source, then let the subject of the shot turn black to create this striking effect.

● Head to your local cafe. You can find all kinds of fantastic colours and contrasts here. Try to capture the textures in the walls, colour choices and materials used in the decor, wait for the right moment, then snap.

● Most people think you can’t actually shoot into the sun but doing so creates a halo around the subject, producing a “sun flare” which can make for a great shot.

● Mornings mean longer shadows. Aim your camera at the ground to capture the shadows.

What happens next?

After the big day, we’ll publish the best shots taken across our 26 local newspapers. A permanent digital gallery will be in place on SnapMelbourne.com.au