It's here. A brand new competition to challenge you to produce your best pictures ever. At the end of this year, one reader will be crowned "ThinkCamera Photographer of the Year" and walk away with an amazing prize. But first they will have to deal with a fiendish final round. Before that, well first you have to qualify!
Here's how it works:
- Every month from February to November there will be a new round. We'll announce a new theme on the website, any special rules for that round, and a prize. You have until the end of the month to enter your picture(s).
- At the end of the month, entries will be closed and the competition will be opened for voting. The next round will also be announced!
- Voting will continue for one week. At the end of that week whoever is deemed in the sole discretion of the editor to have won will be awarded the prize and the title of "ThinkCamera Photographer of the month".
- The winner will also qualify for the Fiendish Grand Final. If the winner has already qualified then the highest placed runner up will qualify.
- In December, the 10 finalists will fight it out for the title of "ThinkCamera Photographer of the Year". Oh and a huge prize too.
Simple - take pictures, win prizes.
There are bound to be questions on the rules. Here are a couple I've thought of.
- What's all this "sole discretion of the editor" malarkey?
To put it bluntly that's to stop cheating. Swing votes, multiple accounts, tactical voting, dead heats - we could make up a rule for every one of those but this one's simpler. I'll look at the reader's vote every month - usually I'll just approve the readers' choice but if there's any "funny business" then I reserve the right to pick the winner myself.
- What are the prizes?
Wait and see - they will be announced each round.
- How many pictures can I enter per round?
This will be explained each month - it will vary for each round.
- Do I have to be a member of the site to enter?
Yes. Remember it's free to join and you might even like it.
- I live in Indonesia/the USA/Lithuania/the Planet Zarg - can I enter?
Yep. And if you're good enough you can win too. However, the Fiendish Grand Final will require you to be in the UK at a specified date - you'll need to make your own way to the UK for the final. Airfare from Zarg might be more than the prize (but nothing can replace the honour of the title, right?)
- What's all this about the Fiendish Grand Final - and why do you chuckle every time you mention it?
It's the final, it's grand and it's very fiendish - more details nearer the time.
- I don't know anything about taking pictures - can I enter?
Yep. Every month we'll be featuring articles and tutorials themed around the competition to get you going. Join in, take part - everyone has a chance. Because of the qualification system it doesn't matter if you win the first round or the last one - you will still qualify for the Fiendish Grand Final and compete against 9 other people for the grand prize.
- I'm a professional photographer - am I allowed to enter?
Sure - just don't whinge when amateurs beat you.
One more very important rule: no recycling. We don't want you using pictures that have already been published or been entered in other competitions. We certainly don't want pictures that have already been posted on ThinkCamera - go out, take something new! And yes, they have to be all your own work!
