The inaugural Maldon Captured competition running through into January has been designed to encourage keen photographers at every skill level to visit the town.

Organisers say they have already received an incredible response to the locals-only trial run during Victoria's second lockdown, attracting 124 entries.

Now they've broadened the pool to include visitors, with categories for professionals, amateurs and under 18s.

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Competition organiser Pamela Jewson said the town wanted to be proactive about attracting tourists back after the lockdowns, to help local businesses get back on their feet.

Ms Jewson said the competition's aim was both to attract visits from keen photographers and use the results to advertise the town.

She said the idea for a photography competition came to her during one of many walks to fill the time the state's first lockdown, after her most of her events business was shut down.

Ms Jewson said seeing the once busy town so dead made her wonder what she could do to bring tourism back after restrictions ended.

"Everybody was concerned, what would happen .. post COVID," she said.

"Would the visitation be back to normal? Would people be scared of traveling? It was very iffy, a lot of the businesses were really really suffering.

"We thought, 'We can't wait for other people to do things for us ... we really need to be proactive'."

Ms Jewson said the 2020-21 competition would form the basis of an ongoing event, with a different theme each year.

Entries open until January 30, 2021. Find out more at: maldonphotographycompetition.com.au

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