Photography gets its own 'Oscars'

[Terrance Hounsell]

Title: Photography gets its own 'Oscars' Date: 10 October 2007

A new $25,000 global photography prize is now open for entries. The World Photography Awards, which is backed by Sony, is open to established and undiscovered talents alike.

Entries will be judged by an academy of experts, which already includes one hundred picture editors, gallerists, photography critics and writers including BJP editor Simon Bainbridge. And some of the world's most famous photographers have also joined up, including Phil Stern, Terry O' Neil, Chien-Chi, Sylvia Plachy, and Magnum photographer Carl de Keyzer (who is a headline speaker at BJP's Vision event). The academy will grow annually as each year's overall winner will automatically gain membership. A full list of current academy members can be found at www.worldphotographyawards.org

The academy will be governed by an honorary board, which comprises eleven members, including Tom Stoddart, Mary Ellen Mark, Martin Parr and Elliott Erwitt. Stoddart says: 'It's a great honour to be part of the inaugural Sony World Photography Awards. The awards will showcase the very best imagery from around the world and will undoubtedly inspire and excite anyone who is passionate about photography.'

Indeed, founder Scott Gray - a British businessman with 10 years experience in events and exhibitions around the world - says he hopes that the awards will become the photographic equivalent of the Oscars.

There are 11 professional categories open for entry from today until 31 January: Abstract; Advertising; Architecture; Fashion; Music; Nature; Nude; Portraiture; Photojournalism; Science and Sport. A shortlist of three finalists from each category will be announced in February, and they will be invited to a black tie awards in Cannes at the Palais des Festivals on 24 April 2008. From this list, 11 category winners will be announced. The photographer behind the overall best image will be presented with l'Iris d'Or, which comprises the title Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year as well as $25,000.

The winning image, as well as a further 25 photographs from the winner's portfolio, will go on show at the 2009 World Photography Awards, be exhibited on the award's website and be 'promoted worldwide'.
A Lifetime Achievement award will also be presented on the night.

A competition for amateur photographers will run in parallel with the professional awards. More details are published on the awards' website.

Source: © Incisive Media Investments Ltd 2007

 

[waynecrider]

The competition is free to enter apparently.

 

[Drew B.]

I can't be involved in something that doesn't allow entrance thru an American language portal....!

 

[Gay Larson]

I agree, why not the American flag on the languages portal? I actually sent them an e-mail. We'll see if anyone responds.

 

[MurrayMinchin]

I've got a t-shirt with Homer Simpson on it saying, "English? I don't need to learn English...I'm never going to England"!

Sounds like an interesting event. Wish I was a member so I could start stuffing my pockets with payola from gallery owners trying to get their photographer to win

Murray

 

[Roger Hicks]

I agree, why not the American flag on the languages portal?.

On the other hand, why? Americans always say they speak English. Now's a chance to prove it.

 

[dferrie]

I agree, why not the American flag on the languages portal? I actually sent them an e-mail. We'll see if anyone responds.

I guess then that being Irish I shouldn't even consider this as there is no Irish flag, even though not only do we speak English but also have our very own language. Of course maybe I just won't enter because my images are not good enough and nothing to do with a flag not being on the portal!

David

 

[Roger Hicks]

I guess then that being Irish I shouldn't even consider this as there is no Irish flag, even though not only do we speak English but also have our very own language. Of course maybe I just won't enter because my images are not good enough and nothing to do with a flag not being on the portal!

David

Dear David,

Please do not take this as ill-intended or personal, because it isn't; I merely thought you might enjoy the play on words.

Many years ago I worked for an advertising agency in London run by two Irish brothers. They were so tiresome that they were known as the Erseholes.

Cheers,

R.

 

[scootermm]

I am really hoping that people are jesting when they say they expect an american flag to be listed????????
Please tell me it is a jest on the previous posts?

The flags are visual cues to the 8 most common languages. The point being, a majority of people can visually interpret the flag of the language they speak.
hence, knowing what to click.

Not to mention the fact that NO ONE speaks american.

 

[Kevin Caulfield]

I agree, why not the American flag on the languages portal? I actually sent them an e-mail. We'll see if anyone responds.

You are joking, right?

 

[MurrayMinchin]

One winking smiley and this could have been avoided. I just assumed it was a joke...but you never know...

Murray

 

[mark]

I can't be involved in something that doesn't allow entrance thru an American language portal....!

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: This has to be a joke.....Right

I agree, why not the American flag on the languages portal? I actually sent them an e-mail. We'll see if anyone responds.

Damn Right..S and S forever baby! heh heh
I really hope this one was a joke.

 

[jovo]

The photographer behind the overall best image will be presented with l'Iris d'Or, which comprises the title Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year as well as $25,000.

The winning image, as well as a further 25 photographs from the winner's portfolio, will go on show at the 2009 World Photography Awards, be exhibited on the award's website and be 'promoted worldwide'.

I find this as dismaying as I do the "Acadamy Awards". The "best" runner of a given race is so because he/she is the fastest. A world champion boxer is so because he's managed to get a title fight based on a highly successful competitive record and manages to 'best' his opponent on points, or by knocking him into a coma. The very term 'best' is comparative and assumes a standard or standards against which it is measured. To regard a creative, innovative, and unique achievement in an art form as somehow 'winning' just seems profoundly wide of the mark.

The far better model, I think, is one that recognizes excellence in and of itself and not as 'compared' to another's equally excellent work. In music, the Leventritt Award, for instance, is given to someone who usually has no idea they've even been considered, is based on their overall achievement and potential to continue to make a significant contribution. As well meant as this l'Iris d'Or prize is, I would hope it can evolve into something more akin to the Leventritt.

 

[SuzanneR]

It's free to enter, right? If more than a few filmies submit work, then maybe we'll get a notice. I say, WTF?? And just see what happens... as for the flag... uh...

Well, I speak American, thank you very much, but I know they speak something similar in the UK, well, sorta... so it's a nonissue for me!!!

 

[manalishi]

http://www.lucieawards.com/007/

 

[Bandicoot]

Not to mention the fact that NO ONE speaks american.

Sure they do. Seminole, Blackfoot, Cree...


Peter

 

[Drew B.]

Not to mention the fact that NO ONE speaks american.

I bet the English say that we speak American! As a sidelight, where would "English" be without the French?!

 

[mark]

Where would English be without most other languages in the world. Truely a mutt language.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I agree , I see no problem with their set up and looking at the judging committie for the first year they are a serious group to get your work in front of. Submitting 10 images of a series of your work is a good way to center your attention on your photographic vision.
I am going to enter this competition.

It's free to enter, right? If more than a few filmies submit work, then maybe we'll get a notice. I say, WTF?? And just see what happens... as for the flag... uh...

Well, I speak American, thank you very much, but I know they speak something similar in the UK, well, sorta... so it's a nonissue for me!!!

 

[Andy K]

I see no reason photographs made with film cannot be sent in. It certainly isn't prohibited in the rules.

I bet the English say that we speak American! As a sidelight, where would "English" be without the French?!

We say that North Americans speak English, as do the Australians and most Canadians.

As a sidelight where would the US be without the French?

 

[MurrayMinchin]

My main concern about this contest is that it's done via the Internet.

What happens if someones computer image management skills far outstrip their ability to put the goods down on paper? This opens the door for poor quality prints being in the 'final three' of each category, which would result in someone with really beautiful prints out of the game.

If actual photographs were required it would be a fair contest, and would reduce the number of entries thereby allowing the judges to spend more time considering the finer qualities of the work submitted, as they only have thirteen days to do it.

Murray

 

[Daud]

Just a little input – If you read the speeches of Oliver Cromwell one will find that his turn of phrase is very like some current American idioms.
So who speaks English?
I am told mine is "received” ….
But does it matter?
Just playing ‘Devils advocate' – it makes a change not to find an American flag…..

David.

 

[Gay Larson]

Ok, so maybe I didn't think it through but I ask you, what if there was an American flag and none from the UK? Would it be just ok with those of you from "across the pond"? I guess I was thinking that some people might not recognize the correct flag. I guess that is kind of silly too because most people know the UK flag. So from now on I'll just stay out of discussions since I tend to jump too quickly before evaluating all sides.

 

[dferrie]

Just a little input – If you read the speeches of Oliver Cromwell one will find that his turn of phrase is very like some current American idioms.

Ah yes, good old Oliver Cromwell, who coined the phrase "to hell or to Connaught" which will always get a rise from an Irishman!

David

 

[haris]

So, it must be that 4 billion of people (people from countries which flags are not on web site) are not allowed to participate...

Now seriously, there isn't flag of any country where people speak Arabic language. Is that accidentally or...