Quote:
Originally Posted by strongmanmike
Well done Andy, its a fine image for sure, this region has been successful for you, huh?  
Just curious, a multi filter, multi sub frame astroimage, wouldn't normally be the traditional sort of fair entered in a nature/wildlife category, so how does the judging work when viewing a narrowband nebula image, that required complicated, multi day acquisition and significant pre and post processing, with other more traditional nature shots, of birds, bears whales and mountains etc ie "Earth" based., most of which I imagine would be one click on site shots, plus maybe a little enhancement in PS or similar..? Do many astroimages get entered into this category? Just interested in your thoughts given your experience as a photographic judge and your master standing within the pro photographers circles (AIPP?)
Did you play the drums there during the presentation? 
Cheers
Mike |
Hi Mike,
The AIPP no longer exists post Covid, and was disbanded last year.
The Australian Photographic Prize is a privately run competition by former members who wanted to recreate an inclusive spirit of community & connection previously enjoyed by members and visitors to AIPP awards and conferences.
As such the APP is open to amateurs and professionals alike (even school kids!) with various awards for Print, Digital and Video in several categories, with many valuable prizes sponsored by Epson, Nikon, Kayell and many others.
The Epson Print Awards is open to everyone, and the Nikon Digital awards are only open to amateurs.
An amateur photographer is defined as an actual person, receiving less than $10,000AUD per year in photographically-related income.
As to mixing Astro images with nature - from the APP rules -
Images should show the beauty of nature or wildlife captured in their natural habitat.
Category rules allow for focus stacking, HDR, time exposures & stitches etc. Post-production techniques, may be used to enhance the image as long as the authenticity of the original scene is retained.
Techniques that remove in-camera elements, such as dust spots, digital noise, and film scratches are allowed. With the exception of cropping, the addition, removal, relocation, or replacement of pictorial elements is not permitted.
A description to provide judges with additional technical or biologically significant information is permitted (limited to 25 words).
As an entrant, I wasn't judging that category, but I did get a chance to watch my print get judged on the replay of the online livestream. There were many positive comments between the five pro photographer judges on the panel, and I'm sure that having a description available assists their assessment when viewing such diverse imagery including Birds, Whales, Waves and of course Astro.
As a working professional, I could enter the Epson Print Awards, but I'm ineligible to enter the Nikon Digital Awards. I'm lobbying the organizers to promote the Nikon Digital Awards competition even further next year amongst astro societies etc. so more astrophotographers are encouraged to enter either the Nature & Wildlife or Landscape categories.
It's pretty cool to be able to see and hear your images judged, by either being there in person or watching live online, in an open and fully transparent manner with instant feedback available.
FYI - No drums were harmed or eardums ruptured during my presentation.
