Release Issued by Sony:
Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Winner Announced
Arup Ghosh wins prestigious ‘Sony World Photography Awards Amateur
Photographer of the Year’ title ahead of the VIP Gala Awards Ceremony
The Sony World Photography Awards is proud to announce the amateur winners of the inaugural 2008 awards. Arup Ghosh from India has triumphed as the overall amateur photographer along with eight category winners spanning from abstract to sport, fashion to nature. Ghosh will be awarded the prestigious title of ‘Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year’ as well as a $5,000 cash prize donated by headline sponsor Sony.
The winners have been chosen out of 25,934 amateur submissions through a competitive judging process by the Honorary Board Members of the World Photographic Academy. This panel, made up of some of the industry’s most respected members includes Nan Goldin, Bruce Davidson, Tom Stoddart, Elliott Erwitt, Stephen Cohen, Rankin and Martine Franck, who together have carefully deliberated over the shortlisted entries.
The Honorary Board was presented with the shortlist chosen by the rest of the Academy members through a pointbased system, and had an exceptionally difficult decision to make in choosing the overall amateur winner. Mary Ellen Mark commented, “The calibre of amateur photography is outstanding – far higher than I had imagined - and in many cases reaching professional standard.”
The winners will travel to Cannes to receive their award at the VIP Gala Evening on 24th April at the Palais des Festivals. The winning professional photographers will be revealed on the night, and at the same time, the Legacy Award will be presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to photography.
Accompanying this will be the Sony Legacy Exhibition, curated by Magnum Photos from 21st to 25th April, in which winning images will be displayed alongside works by some of the world’s most influential photographers, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, David Seymour and George Rodger. In addition, Saatchi Online will make a selection of 100 images from the highly commended amateur entries, to be displayed on the Saatchi Online Gallery Wall in Cannes during the Awards.
James Kennedy, General Manager Marketing Communications, Sony Digital Imaging Europe said, “This is an exciting time for amateur photography, with the development of digital equipment allowing the highest quality of photos to be taken. We hope that the Sony World Photography Awards will inspire amateur photographers around the world to capture the best imagery possible.”
Key Dates
Professional category finalists announced
• Monday 14th April 2008
Legacy Exhibition, Palais des Fesitvals
• Monday 21st- Friday 25th April 2008, free entry
Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony
• Thursday 24th April, Cannes
