Photographer of the Year 2011

[Amy Davies]

We've closed this thread now. Thank you for all your feedback.

Photographer of the Year 2011 is now live…

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Greetings folks,

Submit your POTY 2011 suggestions here...

[karenoliver]

I think it would be nice to have a category for mobile phone photography. Its still diigital and would allow people who don't have expensive cameras with lots of lenses to take part. It would also make you think more about the shot, composition and creativity. Probably lots of mobile phone companies that would love to sponser that category.

There is a huge drop from first prize in the competion and I have this idea:

1st prize =£10,000
2nd prize = £5000
3rd prize= £2500

Category winners:
1st = £1000
2nd =£500
3rd = £250

I am sure the funding could be found through sponsers or advertising.

One category's theme set by a guest photographer, like Martin Parr etc where he sets a brief and judges the photos. An additional prize there could be a day or masterclass with him/her.

Karen

[russbarnes]

For what it's worth:

1. I would like to see a return of a black and white only round as it's a significant part of photography which requires a specific skill.

2. In case it was an experimental idea, I would also like to see a continuation of the Portfolio round as I think this gives the greatest opportunity for any photographer to showcase their abilities.

3. As I've already mentioned on the 'other' thread, I would prefer to see a limit of one photograph shortlisted per round per individual photographer. That might stop Charlie Waite scooping all of the prizes in the landscape round next year if he decides to enter.

4. I think a specific round that was purely for the pros to enter might also help ease feelings of an unlevel playing field...

[russbarnes]

I like Karen's idea of a 'mobiles' round. Not something I would personally enter but I'm in awe of some of the stuff I've seen on Flickr taken with things like a Blackberry so could produce some interesting input. I also like the idea of spending a day with a top photographer as a prize; that's worth more than money - great idea.

Originally Posted by russbarnes

For what it's worth:

4. I think a specific round that was purely for the pros to enter might also help ease feelings of an unlevel playing field...

An interesting point Russ, however I wonder how 'the pros' is or would be determined to the satisfaction of all!

A tog who has passed an acertained level in college training, acredited exam passed. A self taught tog who simply rakes it in and earns a living through this Art. Or a tog who claims to be an 'am' yet consistently turns out highly professional images that leave many a pro wishing they could aspire to a similar style in quality. To my way of thinking the term pro could apply to all three.

Pro or Am entering one competition has never bothered me, or indeed the level / quality of the equipment used and available to any photographer. At the end of the day, good photographs speak for themselves and the tog behind them pressing the shutter release.

[karenoliver]

I just wonder what would happen if you had a pro- only category yet all the other categories were for amateurs. Would the pros decide to pass on the pro- only category so they could enter the larger number of categories set aside for amateurs? And besides, wasn't the winner last year from Iceland an amateur photographer?

The photo competitions I know of are, Digital photographer of the year which invites both amateur and pro entries. Amateur photographer of the year, ( self-explanatory) and professional photographer of the year. There are other competitions but I think a lot of them you pay a fee to enter. There is no fee here so that is a plus straight away. Okay, so you might be submitting an entry alongisde pro photographers but doesn't that just serve to expose you to really great work and in turn help you improve your own?

There is always choice at the end of the day as well, you don't have to enter anything. Or if you just want to enter alongisde fellow amateurs then find a different competition? But what have you got to lose by entering this one? Nothing. Its free and you learn something along the way.

Karen

[AndyStevens]

I agree with Russ, a B&W section would be good - almost makes me think the competition is incomplete without it now I think about it.

I'm looking forward to the portfolio shortlist - this, in my mind, is a better insight into a tog's talent. Most people can produce a decent shot - but a series on a theme... Perhaps we combine Russ's request here - each section requires a series of images which then counts as 1 entry..?

And a mobile phone section has produced good results in other comps.

Not sure about the pro/am thing - seen a lot of comps won by amateurs leaving pros in their wake. And Charlie Waite, Joe Cornish etc wouldn't really be able to enter as most of their images are published.

How about a RAW category? The original file is submitted with no adjustments - best shot 'as taken in camera'

Not sure about this but how about images must have been taken in 2011 to qualify (or after 2010 comp / before 2011 comp).

Cheers
Andy

[PolaroidSky]

"How about a RAW category?"

Awesome idea : )

[AndyStevens]

I thank you

[karenoliver]

Raw sounds a great idea as long as a raw file can't be edited? How would you upload a raw file because is the extension allowed for upload?

Karen