WebSpy, sponsors of the Martin Bailey Photography Podcast, have for a third time kindly set aside funds for us to offer some amazing prizes for the participant with the most accumulated votes after the next six month's worth of monthly assignments, from June to November 2010. I am also going to throw in a fourth and fifth place prize. Details below... Basically how it works is that we keep a count of the votes each participant receives (like this) from their peers in the MBP community each month, and the three lucky photographers with the most votes when we complete the November 2010 assignment will win one of the following three prizes, according to their placing.
It's important to note that you don't have to win every month. You don't even have to enter every month to win. You just have to come up with enough high quality images over the six months to be awarded a lot of votes from your peers, to get ahead of the rest of the group. Details of where to post your images and the voting system are also available in the Assignment & Critique Forum.
So, here goes, with the prize list for the June to November 2010 MBP/WebSpy Photography Assignment!
Drum roll.....
1st Place Prize: Sony Alpha NEX-5!
This is amazing! Courtesy of WebSpy, we're bringing you to brand new Sony Alpha NEX-5 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with an 18-55mm Lens. You can chose black or silver, it's your shout.
[caption id="attachment_2205" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Sony Alpha NEX-5 Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera"][/caption]
Specification:
- Extremely Compact HD Imaging System
- 14.2 MP APS (1.5x) Exmor CMOS Sensor
- Interchangeable 18-55mm E-Series Lens
- HD 1080/60i Video / Dolby Digital (AC-3)
- Tiltable 3" 921,600-dot TFT TruBlack LCD
- Up to ISO 12800 / Up to 7 fps
- Auto HDR capture / DRO Optimizer
- In-Camera 226° Sweep Panoramas
- Magnesium-alloy Body (8.1 oz)
- Memory Stick PRO Duo or SD/SDHC Cards
I'm telling you, I want one of these! I seriously envy the participant that takes this camera away with them.
2nd Place Prize: X-Rite ColorMunki Photo
Every photographer should calibrate their monitor as a bare minimum. Not only does the ColorMunki Photo enable you to do just that, it also enables you to create printer/paper combination profiles to color correct printing, as well as supporting the calibration of projectors. If you also own a ColorChecker Passport, you can actually color correct your entire digital workflow.
[caption id="attachment_2109" align="aligncenter" width="472" caption="X-Rite ColorMunki Photo"][/caption]
Now that's cool!
3rd Place Prize: X-Rite ColorChecker Passport
The ColorChecker Passport contains a Creative Enhancement Target, a Classic Target and a White Balance target. You start by setting an accurate custom white balance in the field, and then you shoot the Classic Target and Creative Enhancement Targets under the same lighting conditions, to create custom camera profiles in a stand alone desktop application or Adobe Lightroom.
[caption id="attachment_2108" align="aligncenter" width="472" caption="X-Rite ColorChecker Passport"][/caption]
If you incorporate a ColorMunki Photo calibration tool as well, you realize a totally color managed digital workflow. You will be amazed at the difference this makes to your photography.
4th Place Prize: an MBP Fine Art Folio of Your Choice
The fourth place winner will be able to select one of my Fine Art Folios from mbpfolios.com.
[caption id="attachment_1259" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="Martin Bailey Photography Fine Art Folios"][/caption]
It's also possible that there'll be more folios available in six months time.
5th Place Prize: an MBP Fine Art Print of Your Choice
The fifth place winner will be able to select any of my images from my online gallery and I will create a top quality print on Hahnemuhle fine art paper and dispatch it to your door.
[caption id="attachment_1258" align="aligncenter" width="590" caption="The Colours of Japan Folio Prints"][/caption]
Take a look at the images in my Gallery (also via Cooliris) or PhotoShelter albums to get an idea of what you could select.
Thanks WebSpy!
I'm really stoked to be able to bring you these prizes, the first three of which courtesy of our fabulous sponsor, WebSpy. Thanks once again to WebSpy for supporting the MBP Podcast and Blog!
Please do check out WebSpy's products, and remember to use the discount code MBPWSY for 10% off anything that you buy.
You can also follow WebSpy on Twitter, to keep up with new product releases.
Now it's Down to You...
So now it's just down to you now to start shooting! Remember, the June 2010 assignment theme is Cityscape. Check the Assignment forum for details, and you will need to check the Assignment forum each month for details of the following five assignments.
And remember, even if you don't win a prize, we all win by becoming better photographers from working on these fun assignments.
Good luck!
-- Martin Bailey