Profoto Awards in judging phase

The 2008 Profoto Awards is a combined effort from Sony South Africa and the Professional Photographers of Southern Africa (PPSA) to promote professional photographers, and to acknowledge their talents and dedication. This is the only competition for professional photographers and photography students in southern Africa.

According to Pieter de Ras, president of the PPSA, photographers in SA don't have a platform where they can judge their abilities. “It is only when you participate in such a competition that you can really judge the standard of your work and how it compares with that of other professional photographers within the industry,” he says.

Largest number of participants

The 2008 Profoto Awards attracted the largest number of participants since its inception in 1989, who have submitted more than 4000 images. Entrants had to register online and post their photographs digitally.

The electronic format of the awards enables judges to view entries anywhere in the world. Judging is done in three phases. From 23 January to 3 February, during the first and second phases, preliminary judging has been taking place. On Saturday 7 February, judges from Gauteng will convene at Sony's head office in Midrand, where the final judging will be done live on Sony High Definition BRAVIA LCD TVs. During the judging, the Image of the Year and Portfolio of the Year will also be selected.

The judges are as follows:

• Elliot Landy, portrait photographer, known as the original “Woodstock photographer” (USA)
  
• Carol Allen-Storey, photojournalist specialising in shooting Aids and woman's abuse campaigns in Northern Africa (US)
  
• Delly Carr, top freelance winning sports photographer (Australia)
  
• Elizabeth Kalua-Olivier, award winning wedding photographer (Namibia)
  
• Kevin Lucas, concept copywriter at Ledger Bennett Advertising in Buckinghamshire (UK)
  
• Des Kleineibst, award winning international car and advertising photographer, and has been awarded his fellowship with the PPSA
  
• Peter van Niekerk, still life photographer, past president of the PPSA, associate and honorary fellowship with the PPSA.
  
• David Larsen, editor of Africa Media Online
  
• Adrian Whines, MD of Brand DNA Design Studio in Johannesburg
  
• Rory McNaught, partner at Cornerstone Design and Advertising (offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town)
  
• Roy Clucas, international award winning designer
  
• Leigh Toselli, freelance fashion and beauty director, stylist and image consultant
  
• Sean O'Toole, magazine editor and photo critic
  
• Greg Marinovitch, international news photographer
  
• Marlene de Villiers, award-winning wedding photographer
  
• Duif du Toit, award-winning sport photographer
  
• Jo Ractliffe, senior lecturer in photography at the Wits School of Arts
  
• David Goldblatt, international documentary photographer
  
• Gareth Lessing, executive creative director at DDB Johannesburg
  
• Jane Filmer, fashion stylist
  
• Brendon Bell-Roberts, publisher of Arts SA and Snapped magazines
  
• Karen Beukes, director at the SA Ballet Theatre

Vote online

Images entered for the competition and selected as award finalists can be viewed from 10 February. The public are invited to vote online for their favourite image, the People's Choice Image of the Year. One person who votes online stands the chance to win a Sony 350 DSLR kit, which include a camera body and a lens.

Winners in the 15 different categories, as well as the People's Choice winner, will be announced at a gala dinner on 19 March. Following the awards ceremony, the finalists' images will be exhibited at local shopping malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town, where members of the public will be able to view the work of southern Africa's photographic talent. These images will also be promoted in leading print publications, as well as online.

For more information, go to www.profotoawards.co.za.