LAUSANNE, July 18, 2022 - Find below some Frequently Asked Questions about the AIPS Sport Media Awards for the Photography categories.
What are the categories for Photography?
There are two senior photo categories: Action Photo and Portfolio.
What’s the description for Action Photo?
An image that depicts a moment of excellence or athletic skill from a particular sporting event.
What’s the description for Portfolio?
A portfolio of at least three but no more than five sports photos. These photos may be from the same sport or same event, or they may be from different events and different sports.
How many submissions do I have?
Applicants are limited to a maximum of two entries across all categories of the Awards. A separate online entry form and supporting materials will be required for each entry.
Can I participate with two Action Photo entries or two Portfolio entries?
Yes, it is possible to submit two entries for the same category. But be aware that in the case of qualifying with both entries to the third phase (shortlist) in the same category, only the most voted submission can qualify into the top 10. If you submit in different categories, then both submissions can advance to the final.
Is it possible to submit a same photo for action and portfolio?
No. You should choose in which category you would like to submit your photo. You can use pictures from the same sequence and make changes before deadline.
What kind of editing is allowed?
Our rules are very clear: photographs may not be manipulated to block out distracting elements or to make significant changes in color and contrast. Cropping or removing dust and scratches are allowed.
What fields do I have to fill in the submission form?
Every submission form has a field for Title and Description. Please use the description as a caption. It is imperative that you write the caption in order to know better the context of your picture. Please add all additional information that can be valuable for the judges: the difficulties you’ve faced, the position you were and the equipment you were using.
For the portfolio category, should I submit a general description or a caption for each photo?
We recommend that you make a general description of why did you choose this portfolio, and then write the caption of each of the participating pictures, which is especially important when they are not from the same event. Please be aware that the more details you add in your submission form, the more information will the jurors have when it is time for judging, ie if it was an official competition or a training session.
Can I send two action photos in the same submission form?
No. Please be aware that a separate online entry form and supporting materials will be required for each entry. If you submit two pictures in the same entry, you will be notified to make the proper submission with only one picture per form.
I’m a freelancer. Is it possible for me to participate?
Yes, participation is open to all professional photographers, whether directly employed by media outlets, agencies, or freelancers.
I’m not a member of AIPS, can I still participate?
Yes. There’s no need to be a member of AIPS to participate. But you need to be a professional photographer.
What’s the rule for professional photographers?
Our first rule is that all entrants need to be professional photographers, and will have to prove their professional status if we require so.
Do I have to pay a fee to participate?
No, participation is completely free.
I was born after January 1, 1993. Can I participate in the Best Young Reporter category for Photography?
Yes, should you decide so, you could use one of your submissions for the Best Young Reporter in Photography, which offers the chance of winning a scholarship at a top international sporting event, and use your remaining submission to participate in any of the senior categories, which offer a money prize. Only one entry in the Young Reporter category is allowed.
My photo was published on a personal photo sharing platform or personal website, is it still valid as proof of publication.
Independent photographers might have the possibility of publishing their work on photo sharing platforms or personal websites (sometimes their own agencies), which is why we consider these valid, as long as they comply with the rest of the rules. We can contact entrants and ask for additional information during the judging process before making a decision.
What does proof of publication mean?
We need to verify that the picture was taken in the valid period of competition, between November 5, 2021, until October 14, 2022.
How can I prove the date of publication?
Proof of publication for photos could be 1) a link in which the date is visible (ie from an agency you work, or a media that published the picture). 2) a photo belonging to an event that took place in the valid period of participation (ie Winter Olympics 2022). 3) a PDF or JPG of a publication (newspaper, magazine) with the picture and the date visible in the page. 4) a PDF of a print publication with the picture, and if it shows no visible date, adding the PDF of the cover to check the date of publication.
My picture was uploaded in a photo agency before the period of participation, but was published in a website/print publication during the period of participation. Is it still valid?
No, your picture must belong to the period of participation. We consider the first time the picture was published in any country of the world, including the photo agency that offers it.
Can I delete my submission or change it before the deadline?
Yes, it is possible to make amendments, add missing documents or complete missing fields. You can also delete your submission, in case you’ve decided to submit a new one.
What do the rules say regarding copyright?
The photographs entered in the contest must be made by the photographer who owns and retains the copyright for the photo. We will only use the picture in case with watermark in case it reaches the final, for the purposes of promoting the Awards, presenting the nominations, having the panel of judges determine the Awards, conducting the presentation ceremony and making the finalist and winners entries available to the public.
Where can I check all the rules?
You can check all the rules here https://www.aipsawards.com/awards#RULES.
Who are the past winners in this category? Can I see the winning works?
Yes, here are all the winners and you can click on the submission name to check their work.
Photography Sport Action
2018
1. VINCENT RIEMERSMA (The Netherlands), Skating Shadows, PZC (Netherlands)
2. ALEXEY FILIPPOV (Russia), Fourcade, Sputnik (Russia)
3. NORBERT SCHMIDT (Germany), Mud Fight, Norbert Schmidt Sports Photo
2019
1. Juan Arboleda (Colombia), You set the limits – AFP
2. Zhuang Wu (China), Chinese boxer Xu Can - Xinhua
3. Ganbat Chuluunbaatar (Mongolia), Before a catch! - Mongolian Sports Press Union
2020
1. Andrezj Grygiel (Poland) Crash - Polish Press Agency)
2. Andrew Bernstein (USA) LeBron Walking On Air - NBAE/Getty Images
3. Eduardo Alvarez del Fresno (Spain) Until the Last Breath - Zuma Press
2021
1. Andrej Isakovic (Serbia) The Halo Effect - AFP
2. André Durão (Brazil) Sure kick - Globoesporte)
3. Féliz Sánchez Arrazola (Spain), Tentacles in the sand - FotoRunners
Photography Portfolio
2018
1. Adam Pretty (Australia), Budapest World Swimming Championships, Getty Images (Germany)
2. Xu Liu (刘 续) (China), Young gymnasts, Xinhua news agency
3. Patrick Kraemer (Switzerland), Aquatics, Magicpbk/EPA/Keystone
2019
1. Roman Vondrouš (Czech Republic), Horse racing - Czech News Agency
2. Adam Pretty (Australia), Infinite trails - Getty Images
3. Sergey Kivrin (Russia), Nomad Games. Gedebey, Azerbaijan - Azerbaijan Airlines Magazine
2020
1. Adam Pretty (Australia) Climbings Olympic debut - Getty Images
2. Roman Vondrouš (Czech Rep.), Football fans of Bohemians Prague during the covid pandemic - Czech News Agency
3. Clive Brunskill (UK), Kings & Queens of Swing - Getty Images
2021
1. Ueslei Marcelino (Brazil), Taste of Golden - Reuters
2. Clive Mason (UK), Olympic Sailing - Getty Images
3. Loïc Venance (France), Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - AFP
Young Reporters Photography
2019
1. Mattia Ozbot (Italy), Lights and Shadows
2020
1. Anna Szilágyi (Hungary), European Champions - Fradi.hu
2021
1. Joe Allison (New Zealand), Eyes on the ball - Getty Images
For general questions about the AIPS Sport Media Awards, please click here.
Submissions for the 2022 edition are now open at www.aipsawards.com
