Pixiq

Forget fast shutter speeds and burst shooting this photo contest requires patience. Lots of patience. A UK website, LocalTraders.com, plans to hold the world’s first "watching paint dry” championship and they want to see your photos of this new sport in inaction. An assoication of British tradespeople--house painters, plumbers, electricians et al.--LocalTraders decided that,“After so many sporting disappointments we’re keen to invent a sport which England can excel at and watching paint dry could be just the thing. Let’s be honest, with England’s recent performances on the football and rugby pitches most of us would prefer to watch paint dry anyway."

The rules are simple. Take a wall, paint it, and watch it dry.

“'We’ve all heard the phrase, "I’d rather watch paint dry" and so we have decided the time has come to give people the chance to do so, for as long as they can bear.” Said one of the organizers, “'You don’t need to be physically fit or participate in a vigorous training regime, what’s more important is mental strength, concentration and endurance.”

"Previous paint-watching experience isn’t essential, but a bit of practice might help prepare contestants for the mammoth task ahead of them." 

Competitors must submit a photograph of themselves watching the paint dry and state the longest time they’ve managed to stare at the wall of drying paint without looking away. These photos should be uploaded to the contest at the website--LocalTraders.com. 

From all of the entries a shortlist of competitors will be selected and they will be  invited to a central England location for a “watching-paint-dry” media event. Then from this group, six paint watchers from around the world will be chosen for the final “stare down.” Competitors will fight it out for the international championship title and a new iPad.

Think watching paint is easy? Ask a pro. Here’s Keith Jackson who is paid to watch paint dry. Mr. Jackson works for a paint company in England and stares at a coat of matte or glossy paint for hours, touching it occasionally to see if it’s dry. He'll tell you it's a tough job.

Okay PIXIQ’ers, cameras at the ready. Go out and paint and get that winning shot!