Camera-carrying Abu Dhabi residents better make it snappy if they want to defend the city’s title as home to winner of a coveted international photography award.
Shutterbugs have just one-month left to enter the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards, one of the leading photography competitions in the world.
Last year, Abu Dhabi resident Manny Fajutag beat nearly 50,000 fellow amateurs to be awarded the Open Travel category prize, with his winning image showcased at the prestigious Somerset House in London.
The competition, which is run by The World Photography Organisation (WPO), is now in its seventh year, with applicants able to enter in one of three categories – professional, open and youth – with major cash prizes, aswell as international recognition, for the successful entrants.
For the winner of the Professional Photographer of the Year title, a whopping $25,000 (AED 91,800) prize is on offer. The category is open to serious photographers skilled in the art of documenting stories and capturing ideas, people and places, with the overall winner announced on 14th April.
The Open category is for amateur photographers from all backgrounds and skill levels, with $5,000 (AED 18,360) as the prize, and the Youth award is open to budding photographers aged 19 and under who are keen to show their skills.
The competition’s winners and shortlisted photographers receive international exposure and recognition through the WPO website as well as various media outlets around the world. Winners across the board will also have their images published in the 2014 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book and receive the latest in Sony digital imaging equipment.
Sitting on this year’s Honorary Judging Committee, chaired by New York-based photography consultant William Hunt, are nine of the industry’s most desirable professionals. The panel includes American photographer Matthew Pillsbury, Burberry creative media manager Suzy Koo and CNN digital director of photography Simon Barnett.
The Open competition closes on 6th January while entries for the Professional category must be submitted before 9th January. Entry is free.
Visit: www.worldphoto.org
