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The build up to a competition is always exciting. Everyone who throws their hat into the ring is hoping for a chance to take home the prize or at least get a mention. Today is one of those days when hopes will be crushed as eyes scan the winning list of the Mobile Photography Awards and don't see their name among them. I know I was hoping against hope that one of my images might miraculously appear as an honorable mention. Oh darn! Maybe next year.

I have had a few people ask me about the results of this year's competition:

Was it fair?

Should one artist get several honorable mentions in one category?

Should one image get an honorable mention in more than one category?

I kind of remember a similar discussion last year. Here's the way I look at it. A competition like this is subjective - if there had been a different set of judges, there would probably be a different set of winners. It's not like a foot race where the first one across the finish line is the winner. Not every image was my cup of tea, but then again, that's why they make different types of tea! That said, each of the winners and those given honorable mention are deserving by mere virtue of the fact that they were chosen by the judges in what must have been a very difficult process.

Now, to answer the other questions about one artist getting several honorable mentions or one image getting an honorable mention in more than one category. I thought a bit about how I would organize a competition like this one. The "mom" in me wants things to be fair, so I would probably limit the number of honorable mentions to one per category, although I would allow a photographer to be mentioned in more than one category. But I imagine the organizers of the MPA wished for each image to be judged on merit alone and therefore allow an artist who is particularly accomplished to be mentioned several times. And, let's be honest, if I were one of those artists to get more than one honorable mention, I would be over the moon!

While I'm discussing this year's results I do want to congratulate all of those who won or were mentioned. There were names that are quite familiar - people I consider my friends although we've never met, and some  new names to investigate. Each and everyone of you must feel particularly proud to be recognized for doing something that is close to your heart.

So to the winners, a hearty "Congrats" and to those of us who didn't win or get a mention, we will lick our wounds and continue to create in this wonderful art form that allows us such a wide variety of expression. I started this journey because of the love of it and it is for that reason that I will happily continue.

Here's to next year!

(Please feel free to share your comments below.)

The waiting is over and the results are in! The winners and honorable mentions have been posted. You can see the full results by clicking on the image below.


Extending my warmest congratulations to all of the photographers.

Press Release:

"Landscape photography is the supreme test of the photographer..."  Ansel Adams


TO ENTER PLEASE SIGN IN to your MPA profile or REGISTER AN MPA ACCOUNT

For more information please visit the Pocket Vistas FAQ.

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

On October 2nd the 4th Annual Mobile Photography Awards officially opened for submissions. The MPA began in 2011 and each year the response has grown as mobile photography attracts more and more people to this rapidly evolving art form. It is now the largest event of its kind!

To enter you'll have to create an account on the MPA site. You can enter your images until December 1, 2014. The Grand Prize is $3000, a $500 prize will go to the top Photo Essay and there are other prizes as well.





I am proud to announce that I am among the Jurors for this year's awards.  You can find the complete list of Jurors here.



If you'd like to view last year's winners, you can visit the MPA 2013 Winners Gallery. I'm looking forward to seeing the work of mobile photographers from around the world. Good Luck to all!

I attended the LAMAF exhibit last year and it changed the course of my life, literally.  Until I toured the exhibit, I didn't realize the potential of the instrument I carried with me everywhere...my iPhone.

Now it's your chance (and mine too!) to enter your best work for this year's Mobile Photography Awards. Click on the image below to visit the MPA website.



























Here are the photo categories:

Architecture/Design
Black and White
Digital Fine Art
Lifestyle/Food
Landscapes
Nature/Wildlife
Macro/Details by Olloclip
People
Performing Arts
Photo Journalism
Portraits
Travel by Trover
Still Life
Self-Portraits
Street Photography
Transportation
Visual FX
Water
Photo Essay by Diptic

Each of your images may be placed in up to three (3) categories.  In case you're wondering what the cost is to enter:

3 Photo Entries for $20
5 Photo Entries for $30
9 Photo Entries for $50
20 Photo Entries for $100
Photo Essay $35

The jury for the 3rd Annual Mobile Photography Awards includes:
Ed Kashi
Christopher Wahl
Misho Baranovic
Bob Weil
Nicki FitzGerald
Marty Yawnick
Dutch Doscher
Melissa Vincent
Sarah Jarrett
Lee Towndrow
Star Rush
Richard Bangs
Laura Hubbard
Dan Marcolina
Stephanie Calabrese
Nathanial Park
Nettie Edwards
Andy Royston
Joanne Carter
Robert-Paul Jansen
Jen Pollack Bianco