This gallery presents the collection of photos submitted for the World Of Signage Photo Contest by the readers of Smashing Magazine. We received over 2,500+ photos from our readers across the globe, and present a selection of the most interesting photos in the overview below.

The topic of this gallery is Hotel and Restaurant signs, i.e. signs that more often than not very clearly state what their businesses have to offer.

A beer friend of mine, Kim (the better looking one who runs beerlens.com) took a great shot of the Cheshire Cheese an iconic pub and sign (pah she got page one)

So I set up my tripod this afternoon in the new Bar area of the house, ok it’s the converted garage but I have manged to use a corner to store my beer.

As brewdog was on top of my beer rack then they were the ones in focus…

This was the shot I finally choose after taking about 30!

Some of the other ones that I don’t think made the grade.

OK Iam still not up to the half the quality of Rob, but he does have a better camera & glass then me

I took this images a few years a go at the Newton santa run, when I was getting into digital photography, it’s not shot on a DSLR on a canon powershot, but its my biggest selling shot (I only sell a few of my photos a month, so wont give up the day job)

Looking back it was not a great image in terms of composition and the colour was not great.. but its been popular and allows me to buy odds and sods for my camera every year as its for sale on iStockphoto

Unfortunately the quality of photos you need to put up nowadays is very high and I don’t have many accepted

Wild Strawberries in pots not bought as the price may display!

At the otley nice & light 4 summer but bitter aftertaste

Nice pint bit hoppy from newmans brewery caerphilly

Nothing strange there, but we were taking part in the Cardiff photo marathon, the rules are simple.

You receive a 12 picture film.
Over 12 hours you have to take pictures on 12 given topics.

Anyway it was great fun but a bit odd using a film camera but it made you think a lot about pressing that button, as you only had once chance to capture that moment.

I can’t post my entries here as it was film but here’s my certificate to prove I finally did it, if you come to the exhibition mine will be photos 243, the ones that are overexposed or did not come out at all…

and a shot I took while getting a drink during the day, I did wonder what went in Iron Bru!!!

The last time it was held was in 2007 and the winner is here I don’t think they need to fear me!

anyway you an follow what people thought about it as many were twittering while they were snapping.

The staff top notch were very helpful , I will take part next year.. lots of fun but very tired

one of the photomarthoners did a poem as well

Photomarathon 2009
by Mike Alcock (entry 116)

A marathon run
Are you having fun?
Twelve frames shot
What have you got
Shooting on a theme
Running out of steam
Hoping for a prize
Blank behind the eyes
Get them all in time
For Photomarathon 09

All very true!