The 2014-2015 Nikon Photo Contest is now open for entries:
Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 Open for Entries
35th annual contest will welcome entries taken using any type of device for the first time
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 19 September 2014 – Nikon Europe is calling on aspirational photographers to once again share their passion and enter their work in the 35th annual Nikon Photo Contest. For the first time, all award categories in photography and video will accept entries from any digital device, including smart devices. Entries this year will be open to professional and amateur photographers of all backgrounds until December 15th 2014.
Held annually since 1969, the prestigious Nikon Photo Contest (NPC) provides photographers with the opportunity to communicate and enrich global photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike. Last year’s contest saw a record 99,339 entries from 153 countries around the world, and showcased everything from evocative landscapes to quirky portraiture.
Four new challenges have been added to the 2014-2015 contest:
A new additional ‘Home’ theme has been introduced across all photography and video categories, open to the unique interpretation of each entrant depending on their personal understanding of the concept of ‘Home’
Entries captured by any digital imaging device (including smart devices and camcorders) will now be accepted in each photography and video category
Video entries between 6-180 seconds long will now be accepted in the video categories, in recognition of the hugely expressive and creative entries in this area
A new ‘Generation N’ Award will be presented to 10 chosen entrants aged 19 and under across all categories
This year’s contest will be judged by a globally diverse panel of 17 judges, representing prominent current photographers, film directors, creative directors and imaging experts. They will be responsible for selecting 96 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from each category in addition to the overall Grand Prize.
The overall winner of the Grand Prize in the Photograph and Video categories will receive a trophy, a certificate for Nikon products valued at ¥1,000,000 and a ¥500,000 cash prize. First place winners in each themed category will receive a trophy, certificate and Nikon products valued at ¥500,000 in cash. For details of prizes for all categories, please visit www.nikon-photocontest.com/en/
Winners will be announced in June 2015, with an exhibition of the winning entries to follow.
Takami Tsuchida, President, Nikon Europe, comments: “Each year, the Nikon Photo Contest judging panel is astounded and inspired by the hugely diverse range of entries from photographers around the world. It is very much about celebrating photography and the passion people have for this art, which is why we are opening it up to everyone. Together with our collaborating partner, Western Digital Technology, we’re calling on photographers to start thinking about what they could enter with this year, and are very much looking forward to seeing all the submissions.”
Chief judges announced
Stephen Mayes and John C Jay, both world-renowned creative directors with great and varied experience, have been invited to act as chief judges in the photography and video categories.
Stephen Mayes, who will serve as chief judge for the photography category, is currently Executive Director of the Tim Hetherington Trust*1. He has managed the work and careers of top-level photographers and artists in areas as diverse as art, fashion, photojournalism, and commercial photography for over 25 years.
In addition to serving as Secretary to the World Press Photo competition from 2004 to 2012, he has written successful business plans and reshaped operations for a number of imaging companies around the world.
John C Jay, who will serve as chief judge for the video category, plays an active role as President and Executive Creative Director of a strategic and creative consultancy developing new companies, products, and services.
He has been named one of the Top Ten Most Influential Art Directors in the Past 50 Years by readers of Graphic Design USA, and he has been inducted into the prestigious Art Directors Club of New York’s*2 Hall of Fame.
*1Tim Hetherington was a British photojournalist. His work focused on the documentation of conflict, and one of his photos was selected as the World Press Photo of the Year in 2007. The Tim Hetherington Trust exists to preserve the legacy of Hetherington’s professional life, including the safe archiving of all physical materials, and the management of the intellectual and artistic use of his work.
*2The oldest organization for art directors in the world (headquartered in New York, the ADC was founded in 1920). The Art Directors Club of New York recognizes excellence in art direction in fields such as advertising and graphic design with their international ADC Annual Awards.
For further information on the Nikon Photo Contest, categories and entry requirements please visit www.nikon-photocontest.com/en/
