The Olympus PEN E-PL1 has just received a Red Dot award from a jury of internationally renowned designers. With more than 12,000 submissions from more than 60 countries, the international Red Dot design award is the largest and most renowned design competition in the world. The Olympus E-PL1 is a new affordable Micro Four Thirds camera with a built-in flash, sensor-shift image stabilisation and one-touch HD video recording.
LONDON, 28 August 2009 – Canon, world-leader in imaging solutions, has today been awarded Gold at the International Forum Design (iF) communication design awards 2009 in Germany, in further recognition of its continued success in technology design. The company has received the Gold iF award in the Product Interfaces category for its Digital IXUS 110 IS digital camera. Canon also received an award in the Packaging – Sales Packaging category for the Canon PowerShot E1, a digital compact camera.
As one of the largest photographic events existing today, the Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA), reach far beyond an awards programme for the still image. The SWPA is a
convergence of festival events, focused photographic agendas, exhibitions, awards schemes, student programmes and an industry-led gala evening ceremony which marks the pinnacle of the week-long event held in April 2009.
From fine art to applied photography in fashion, advertising and sport to humanistic and documentary photography of people,social, cultural and current affairs to the environmental image of landscape, wildlife and ecology, there are few subjects or genres left undiscovered. The celebration of the still image – its roots, conception, adaptation and continuous evolution – is a constant parallel, unifying all categories of the Sony World Photography Awards.
The Sony World Photography Awards are entirely international,welcoming amateur and professional photographers from across the globe to submit their photographs into a highly competitive awards programme.
Professional Competition
As an entering professional photographer, you will be judged by the World Photographic Academy in the hopes of being recognized by leading industry figures and taking the stage in Cannes to receive one of the 12 prestigious category awards and, the most coveted prize, L’iris d’Or, given to The Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year, with the recipient taking, amongst other things, prize money of $25,000.
Amateur Competition
As an amateur photographer, you also have the opportunity to be judged by the World Photographic Academy in the hopes of taking the stage in Cannes to receive one of the most sought after prizes in the competition: The Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year.
Deadline for submissions: December 4th, 2009
For more information on this competition visit
http://www.photocompetitions.com/2009/sony-worldphotography-
awards-2/
Or http://www.worldphotographyawards.org/
PhotoComment attended the Profoto Award’s Gala Prize dinner on Thursday 19 March 2009 and was suitably impressed by the standard of photography awarded by the PPSA and their panel of judges. Watch out for our April issue of PhotoComment magazine to see the winning images and learn more about the photographers behind each lens.
Here is the official press release from Sony SA.
Sony News Release – 19 March 2009
Top photographers in Southern Africa awarded
Top professional photographers and photography students were presented with the 2008 Profoto Awards, presented by Sony, at the Wanderers Club in Illovo, Sandton on 19 March.
At a gala dinner, attended by many luminaries in the photographic industry, 152 single entries were awarded gold, silver and bronze 2008 Profoto Awards certificates in 16 different categories, and 140 portfolios were awarded gold, silver and bronze certificates in the professional and student categories. Photography students could only enter portfolios.
The 2008 Profoto Awards, the only competition for all categories of professional photography in Southern Africa, is a combined effort of Sony South Africa and the Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA) to promote professional photographers, and to acknowledge their talents and dedication.
It attracted the largest number of participants since its inception in 1989, with more than 4 000 images being submitted, fully justifying its reputation as the most prestigious and influential photographic competition on the continent. Also, for the first time in the competition’s history, entrants had to register online and post their photographs digitally.
The gala dinner was the culmination of a series of electronic messages that created much excitement and interest within the photography industry, and enabled the organisers to keep participants up-to-date with the evolvement of the competition, such as the call for entries, the closing date, the announcement of the judges and the judging process.
The public was also involved in the competition, as they were invited to predict the ‘Image of the Year’ online. Maritsa Botha voted for the correct image and by doing so won a Sony α350 DSLR kit, which included a camera body and lens.
The electronic format of the Awards enabled judges to view and judge entries anywhere in the world. Four international judges formed part of the judging team, which comprised specialists in various fields. The top finalist images, selected from over the 4 000 images, were selected on Saturday, 7 February 2009. The final judging was conducted live on Sony High Definition BRAVIA LCD TVs at Sony South Africa’s head office in Midrand.
The 2008 Profoto Awards “Image of the Year” was also selected during the final judging process. This image, a monochrome toned image of a tree frog’s foot, was taken by Hansie Oosthuizen, a professional photographer from Hermanus in the Western Cape.
According to PPSA President, Pieter de Ras, the 2008 Profoto Awards came at the right time, as many photographers hadn’t had the opportunity to have their work judged by their peers.
He added that it became very apparent at the live judging of the Profoto Awards that there are two distinct camps with regards to where professional photography is going.
“On the one side, there is the ‘traditional’ outlook where some of the judges totally dissociated themselves from any form of manipulation of the image. The other camp felt that the final result was what counted, with total disregard to ‘image manipulation’.
This is, and is going to be more of a debate, as we move further into the digital era. If a photograph has been manipulated, can we still call it a photograph, or should it then be referred to as an image?”
De Ras continued: “The judging was however a success and only the best have made it to the top.”
Following the awards ceremony, the finalists’ images will be exhibited at shopping malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where members of the public will be able to view the work of Southern Africa’s top photographic talent.
From 21 to 28 April, the winning 2008 Profoto Awards images will be on show in the Banking Mall Court at Sandton City, and will also be exhibited in the Upper Stuttafords Court at Canal Walk, Cape Town from 26 May to 1 June. These images will also be promoted in leading print publications, as well as on the internet and on the Profoto Awards website www.profotoawards.co.za.
Profoto Awards 2008 sponsored by Sony Alpha, have officially closed and the judges have made their decisions as to which images are the best, but while we have to hear till 19 March 2009 to find out their choices you have your chance to vote.
That’s right, the awards are now open to you to vote and if you pick the same image of the year that the judges do, you stand a chance of winning a Sony Alpha 350.
All you need to do is visit the Profoto website and place your vote online so head to www.profotoawards.co.za
Professional photographers and photography students now have until 31 December to enter for the Profoto Awards, sponsored by Sony Alpha. The Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA), in collaboration with Sony, have had such overwhelming response for this competition that they have extended the closing date for entries by two weeks.
The Profoto Awards has attracted the largest number of participants since its inception, which fully justifies its reputation as the most prestigious and influential photographic competition on the continent.
The Sony Profoto Awards is the only competition for professional photographers in Southern Africa. According to Pieter de Ras, President of the PPSA, photographers in SA don’t have a platform where they can judge their abilities. “It is only when you participate in such a competition that you can really judge the standard of your work and how it compares with that of other professional photographers within the industry”, says De Ras.
Professional photographers who would like to enter the Sony Profoto Awards can do so by visiting www.profotoawards.co.za.
With the closing date of 15 December looming, professional photographers and photography students have less than two weeks to submit their entries for the Profoto Awards.
The aim of the competition, presented by the Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA) and sponsored by Sony α (pronounced Alpha), is to recognise and promote photographers for their skills and dedication to the industry. Already the Profoto Awards has attracted the largest number of participants since its inception, which fully justifies its reputation as the most prestigious and influential photographic competition on the continent.
The Sony Profoto Awards is the only competition for professional photographers in Southern Africa. According to Pieter de Ras, President of the PPSA, photographers in SA don’t have a platform where they can judge their abilities. “It is only when you participate in such a competition that you can really judge the standard of your work and how it compares with that of other professional photographers within the industry”, says De Ras.
Photographers can enter in fifteen different categories, including Advertising, Aerial, Architecture, Beauty/Fashion, Editorial/Documentary/Photo Journalism, Fine Art, Industrial, Medical and Scientific, Nude, Portraiture, Self Promotional, Sport/Action, Still Life, Musical/Theatrical,Wedding and Wildlife Environmental.
Photographers have the freedom to enter in more than one category, regardless of their trade. Photo journalists can, for example, enter in the Editorial/Documentary/ Photo Journalism category, the Sport/Action category, Portraiture or even Wildlife Environmental category.
Professional photographers who would like to enter the Sony Profoto Awards can do so by visiting www.profotoawards.co.za.
As you have noticed, PhotoComment is giving a lot of coverage on the Profoto Awards 2008. This is largely due to the fact that we are excited to see these awards back on the Photographic calendar since the last awards were held in 2003.
Below is a Press Release from the PPSA and Sony South Africa just to remind you professionals and students out there that entries close in just one month on 15th December 2008.
PRESS RELEASE:
Only a month left for photographers to enter for the Profoto Awards, sponsored by Sony Alpha.
(South Africa) – The opportunity for professional photographers and photography students to enter for the Profoto Awards is drawing to a close. Presented by the Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA) and sponsored by Sony Alpha, the competition closes on 15 December 2008.
As one of the largest and prestigious photographic events in Southern Africa, the Profoto Awards is a premier showcase of professional photography that recognises, rewards and promotes photographers for their unique photographic talents, skills and dedication in producing truly exceptional photographic images.
Pieter de Ras, President of the PPSA, is excited about the number of multi-award winning photographers that have already registered on the website created to support the Profoto Awards, www.profotoawards.co.za. “The Awards promises to showcase the top talent in Southern Africa, including previous winners like Michael Meyersfeld, Amy Schoeman, Helga Khol, Libby Edwards, and Bob Cnoops”.
Photographers can enter in fifteen different categories, including Advertising, Aerial, Architecture, Beauty/Fashion, Editorial/Documentary/Photo Journalism, Fine Art, Industrial, Medical and Scientific, Nude, Portraiture, Self Promotional, Sport/Action, Still Life, Musical/Theatrical,Wedding and Wildlife Environmental.
Photographers have the freedom to enter in more than one category, regardless of their trade. Photo journalists can, for example, enter in the Editorial/Documentary/ Photo Journalism category, the Sport/Action category, Portraiture or even Wildlife Environmental category.
Entries will be judged by a panel of experts, which include picture editors, graphic designers, gallery experts and various luminaries within the photographic industry.
During the judging of the Profoto Awards by Sony Alpha, the public will be invited to predict which image will be voted Image of the Year. The final judging will take place in January 2009, when the finalists’ images will be screened on High Definition BRAVIA LCD TVs at Sony’s head office in Midrand. The winners will be announced at a black tie awards ceremony in Johannesburg, in March 2009.
Following the awards ceremony, the finalists’ images will be exhibited at local shopping malls during a roadshow across the country, where members of the public will be able to view the work of Southern Africa’s photographic talent. These images will also be promoted in leading print publications, as well as on the internet.
The awards and subsequent exhibitions will showcase professional photography in Southern Africa and will pay homage to the outstanding photographic talent in the region. Professional photographers who would like to enter the Sony Profoto Awards can do so by visiting www.profotoawards.co.za.
About Sony Digital Still cameras
Sony first entered the photographic market in 1989 with the release of one of the world’s first digital cameras. Through the years Sony has continued to push the boundaries of excellence with each new addition to their range, including the market-leading Cyber-shot digital still cameras and the DSLR Sony Alpha 100, 200, 300, 350, 700 and 900 cameras. It is with great pleasure that Sony looks forward to the growing success of the Profoto Awards by Sony Alpha in years to come. For more information on Sony’s products and services, please visit www.sony.co.za.
About the PPSA
The PPSA is the representative body for professional photographers, managed and supported by voluntary members. It is the only national institute for professional photographers in Southern Africa. The PPSA promotes the interests and welfare of its members, and endeavours to improve their professional status. The PPSA represents the interest of the profession in general, by promoting high ethical standards and service to the corporate industry and general public. The PPSA promotes professional conduct by members by utilising prescribed business practice documents, and the PPSA strives to stimulate public awareness of the benefits of employing the services of professional photographers. The PPSA acts as an accrediting body within the industry and maintains a national register of PPSA members, their category of expertise and contact details.
Recently you have read here on PhotoComment about the 2008 Profoto Awards beginning in October, well the time has arrived and entries for the Profoto Awards 2008 presented by the PPSA (Professional Photographers of Southern Africa) and Sponsored by Sony Alpha are officially open.
Remember that you only have till the 15th of December 2008 to enter so dont delay! You can enter online at www.profotoawards.co.za or by clicking on the banner to your left.
Judging will take place in January and the winners announced in March 2009. It is also the first time in the history of the awards that the judging and presentation of the winning pictures – during the road show planned for later next year – will take place on Sony Bravia High Definition LCD televisions.
Below you will find the official press release attached. Keep checking here on PhotoComment’s website for progress and other Profoto Awards articles.
Today Sony South Africa announced that they will be presenting this years PPSA (Professional Photographers of Southern Africa) Profoto Awards, and will be adding a bit of their Sony magic to the prestigious competition.
For possibly the first time in the world and certainly the first time in South Africa, this photographic competition is going to be judged digitally on Sony Bravia HD (High Definition) LCD televisions.
The competition is for professional and student photographers around South Africa and submission images must have been taken in the last 18 months. For the purpose of this competition the requirement of definition of a professional photographer is someone who earns 70% or more of their income from their photography.
Attached you will find the complete Press Release along with rules, guidelines and registration fees which are as follows:
R50.00 per student
R75.00 per PPSA member professional photographers
R150.00 per non-PPSA member professional photographers
The entry period runs from the 1st October 2008 – 15th December 2008. Judging will take place from early next year with a road show planned for some of the bug shopping centers where the winning images will be in display.
To find out more, get updates or enter – from October 1st, 2008 – go to the 2008 Profoto Awards website at http://www.profotoawards.co.za/
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