Ricoh has announced the eighth Ricoh Photo Contest for photos taken with Ricoh compact digital cameras.

The theme for the contest will be "Precious Things, Precious Moment."

Since June 2004, Ricoh has been holding this contest for users of its cameras. With it, Ricoh seeks to honour photos taken casually by people who carry their cameras with them, rather than professional photographers.

Photos can be submitted via the contest website between May 30th and August 29th. A total of 50 photos will be chosen as winners from among the photos submitted, including a grand prize winner.

The winners will be exhibited on the Ricoh website around October, and will have their pictures printed in “poster size” (457 x 560 mm) and displayed at planned photo exhibits.

There will also be individual prizes, which includes a GR Digital II and accessories for the grand prize.

In addition, this year a 2009 Ricoh Photo Calendar will also be created using 13 photographs selected from among the winners.