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
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