Sony To Offer Grants For Photographers
Shutterbugs are in for a treat, as Sony is calling in all photographers to participate in the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards. Photographers can now submit their entries at www.worldphoto.org. Winners of the contest will secure a grant to fund future photographic projects. The company said in its press release that the new “Creative” and “Discovery” categories are designed to embrace photographers working at the cutting-edge of the medium. Sony added that the judges will specifically look at originality, experimentation, and imagination in these categories.
Frederik Buyckx, 2017’s Sony World Photography Awards winner, said that the contest offered him a new lease of life.”Being named Photographer of the Year has given me more exposure than I could ever have imagined,” he said. Buyckx added that the opportunity not only opened new doors but it also encouraged him to keep on working on his personal projects.
According to Gulf News, the Sony World Photography Awards comprise four competitions: Professional (10 categories judged on a body of work of 5-10 images), Open (best single images across 10 categories), Youth (young photographers aged 12-19 responding to a brief with a single image), Student Focus (for those studying photography). For the full list of competition categories, photographers can visit the website here.
Sony Grant to fund photographic projects
In an effort to create opportunities for its photographers, Sony has also introduced a new grant program those participating in the Professional and Student Focus competitions. From the winners of the 2018 Professional categories, Sony will award multiple grants of $7,000 to selected photographers to pursue photographic projects of their choice. Shortlisted photographers from the Student Focus competition will each be given $3,500 to work together on a new photographic commission set by Sony and the World Photography Organization.
London, I'm coming! ? Photo:Piotr Leczkowski Dancer: Natalia Maria Wojciechowska #swpa #sonyphotographyawards #sonyworldphotographyawards pic.twitter.com/81GSrkcquz
— Piotr Leczkowski (@LegoPiotr) April 18, 2017
All category winners will receive digital imaging equipment from Sony. Cash prizes of $25,000 will be presented to the Photographer of the Year and $5,000 to the overall Open competition winner. All category winners plus many of the shortlisted Awards photographers will be exhibited at the annual Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition in London and then toured internationally.
Proud wife moment! @HodsonNigel @SomersetHouse #London #sonyphotographyawards @Sony #wildlife #cannon pic.twitter.com/I0Cd94W7h6
— Carly Hodson (@carlyhodson) May 6, 2017
Considering that the photography community is large, more photographers are expected to take part in the contest.
[Featured Image by Gregory Bull/AP Images]
