Win a Trip to French Polynesia

AWARDS:
The Travel Photography Awards (founded 2013).
DESCRIPTION:
The Travel Photography Awards are an online, international travel photography competition where registered users to the site submit – for a set fee – a portfolio/s of five images in order to win prizes. Winners are judged based on the photographic skill of their entry and chance plays no part in the determination of winners in these Awards.
DATES:
The current year’s Travel Photography Awards begin in February 2014 and end at midnight on the 30th of June 2014. Judging takes place during the month of July, with the winners announced on the 1st of August 2014.
The Travel Package to French Polynesia offered to the Grand Prize winner must be taken sometime during the month of October 2014.
ELIGIBILITY:
Entry is open to both amateur and professional photographers internationally over the age of 18 years as at the 1st of January 2014.
To claim the Amateur Grand Prize (French Polynesia travel package), entrant must also have a valid passport for travel to French Polynesia, with no mitigating circumstances that may prohibit either application and provision of a travel visa (if required), travel on Air Tahiti Nui, or entry into French Polynesia (such as prior criminal convictions or airport customs violations). Check with your local travel agency to be sure.
The Travel Photography Awards are not open to the employees (or any of their direct family members) of Chris McLennan Photography Ltd nor to the employees (or any of their direct family members) of any of the sponsor companies involved in these Awards nor to the employees or direct family members of any of the judges of these Awards.
HOW TO ENTER:
To enter the Awards users will be asked to first register to the site, and then login and complete their digital entry. Each entry consists of completing an online entry form, uploading a portfolio of five digital images to the specifications below, and payment of an entry fee of US$15 per Amateur portfolio or US$25 per Professional portfolio. (Entry fees discounted for the first month of the awards to US$10 per Amateur portfolio and US$20 per Professional portfolio).
Registration and entry is made online at www.travelphotographyawards.com. Registrants and Entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules and to agree to be bound by them when registering to the site and / or entering these Awards.
PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR CATEGORIES:
To enter the professional category, you must derive the majority of your annual income through the provision of professional photographic services of any kind.
To enter the amateur category, you must NOT derive the majority of your annual income through the provision of professional photographic services of any kind.
PHOTOGRAPH SPECIFICATIONS:
Photographs must be in digital format (though they need not necessarily be taken with a digital camera - scans of negatives, transparencies or prints are also acceptable). They must be submitted in .jpg or .jpeg file format, with a maximum file size of 2MB per image. Images should be 1200 pixels on the longest side and should be named without the use of special characters. Please use the following file format:
"Yourname_ImageNumber_ImageName.jpg"
Explicit or x-rated adult content will not be accepted and should not be submitted.
The photographs should be the original work of the entrant.
While some post production and creative techniques are allowed, intense image manipulation that changes the original subject matter of the image should not be submitted. RAW files may be requested to verify potential winning entries if deemed necessary by the judges. Examples of post production techniques that are NOT acceptable would include merging of two or more different images (different exposures of the same image is acceptable), removing a large part of the subject matter in an image or adding content to an image that was not in the original shot.
Please do not watermark any images with entrant name or other details, watermarked images will not be accepted for entry.
COPYRIGHT:
All images submitted to these Awards as part of a registered users’ entry must be the property of the registered user, who warrants that they are the copyright owner of the images and are responsible for any necessary releases pertaining to any of the subject matter included within the image/s.
By submitting images into the Travel Photography Awards, the registered user releases the images to the Travel Photography Awards for use and display in connection with THE TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS ONLY, as per the following:
All images submitted as part of an online entry will be displayed on the Travel Photography Awards website (www.travelphotographyawards.com) within the Entries pages. From time to time, certain images may also be selected by the Awards administrator for use on the News page of the Travel Photography Awards website – any such use will include the registered users’ name as provided during the entry process as the photography credit for the photo.
As part of the voting process for the People's Choice award, a thumbnail from the entrant's portfolio may be shared on the Facebook page of the person voting (with a link back to the awards site) as part of the "Share" button option within the Awards Entries pages. The Awards administrator may also from time to time select certain images for display on the Award's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/TravelPhotographyAwards). Any such use will include the registered users’ name as provided during the entry process as the photography credit for the photo.
Finalist and Winning images will be displayed in the online Winners Gallery on The Travel Photography Awards website (www.travelphotographyawards.com) and may also be displayed elsewhere on the Travel Photography Awards website as deemed appropriate by the Awards Administrator (for example on the home page of the site in promotion of prior year winners). Any such use will include the registered users’ name as provided during the entry process as the photography credit for the photo.
Finalist and Winning images may also be published in print as part of a Winners Gallery in specific magazines contracted to publish the same on behalf of the Travel Photography Awards. All such appearances will include the entrant’s name and their finalist or winning position within the Awards.
Finalist and Winning images plus the entrant’s name and their finalist or winning position may also be used in PR opportunities and future advertising relating to these awards, or to the advertising and promotion of future Travel Photography Awards.
JUDGING:
The judging process will be undertaken in two stages. In Stage one, each judge selects their top ten portfolios to move forward into Stage Two. Judges will make their selection based on image quality, artistic & creative merit, and where necessary by referring to the written application included during the entry process.
In Stage Two, all of the finalist portfolios from Stage One will be individually and anonymously scored by each of the judges based on a score out of ten for each of the following criteri

Up to 10 points Instant Visual Appeal - “Do I like this group of photos AS A SET? Do they generate a response from me”?

Up to 10 points Technical Achievement - “Are all or most of the images in the portfolio technically correct in terms of focus, sharpness, colour, lighting and composition?”

Up to 10 points Subject Matter - “Do the images - whether individually or as a whole - engage you with the choice of subject matter. Do they hold your interest”?

Up to 10 points Relevance - “Do the images combine well to tell a story about a place - documenting the people, the land or the culture? Are they good travel images?”
Up to 10 points Creativity - “As a portfolio of images do they present a new idea or document the subject in an unusual or unique way? Do they offer visual creativity?”
Prizes will be awarded to the three highest scoring portfolios in each of the two categories (Amateur entries and Professional entries), apart from the People’s Choice Winner which is chosen through online voting, and the Rookie Winner chosen by Chris McLennan as a single portfolio showing good creativity with potential for further technical development.
Judges decision on the winners will be made by the 31st of July. Judges decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:
Winners will be notified by e-mail on the 1st of August 2014. A list of winners will also be announced on the Travel Photography Awards website as of the 1st of August. All winners will be expected to confirm receipt of their winner announcement within 10 days of the announcement being made. If, after 10 days, we have been unable to contact a winner and confirm their receipt of the winner announcement, their prize will be forfeit and - at the sole discretion of the Sponsor - may be offered to an alternative winner (the next highest scoring portfolio, or the next People’s Choice vote, or an alternative Rookie winner selected by Chris McLennan). Winner’s prizes will be forwarded by international air once they have confirmed receipt of their winner announcement, and provided us with an appropriate delivery address.
AWARD PRIZES:
All winners and the top finalists from Stage Two of the judging onwards will receive winner/finalist certificates. All winners will be included in the online Winners Gallery.
Additional prizes will be awarded as per the following:
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Winner (highest scoring portfolio):
Nikon Df DSLR Camera with 50mm f1.8 lens. The Nikon Df DSLR Camera revolves around a unique manual and mechanical design that champions a simple and intuitive method of working, while still retaining the highest imaging quality and functionality available. Featuring a full-frame, FX-format 16.3MP CMOS sensor and EXPEED 3 image processor, the Df is capable of producing high-resolution, well-detailed still imagery with exceptional color rendition, tonal gradation, and highlight and shadow detail. Included is the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Special Edition lens, a fast normal prime that pairs well with the classical design of the camera body.
Runner Up Winner (second highest scoring portfolio):
3 x 32GB 1066x Lexar Professional CF (or SD) cards. These cards are the latest in memory solution technology from Lexar with high speed read transfer rates of up to 160MB/s - capture high quality images and extended lengths of 1080p full HD, 3D and 4K video, supports video performance Guarantee specifications and includes downloadable Image Rescue software.
Highly Commended Winner (third highest scoring portfolio):
Lowepro Rover Pro 45L AW Backpack. The perfect travel/action backpack for professional shooters the Lowepro Rover Pro 45L AW fits your SLR pro camera body with long lens attached, plus 3-4 extra lens, laptop, sleeping pad, small tent and other accessories. It includes a 2 litre hydration compartment as well as many other storage options with front and side access. Comfortable shoulder straps, a weather resistant exterior and an all-weather cover make this the ideal backpack to see the world with.
AMATEUR CATEGORY:
Grand Prize Winner (highest scoring portfolio):
7 night photo trip to French Polynesia with Chris McLennan. Includes one return Economy Class flight to French Polynesia from the Air Tahiti hub nearest to the winner’s usual place of residence (currently Tokyo, Paris, Los Angeles or Auckland). Includes all accommodation, all meals and all refreshments. Includes all scheduled activities organised as part of the travel itinerary. Includes one-on-one mentoring by Chris for the duration of the trip. Does NOT include Airport/Govt/Security taxes & charges, travel insurance, travel visas if required, alcohol or any personal purchases. PLUS: AquaTech underwater housing prize package including AquaTech Sport Housing and Lens Port (not including camera).
Please Note: The travel prize to French Polynesia must be taken during the month of October 2014. So make sure you have your passport handy and are eligible for international travel before you enter!
Runner Up Winner (second highest scoring portfolio):
Lowepro Flipside Sport 20L backpack. The perfect backpack for carrying your camera gear with you when on the trail. With room for one or two camera bodies, multiple lenses and a tablet or small laptop this pack also has an optional 1 litre hydration compartment and internal and external accessories pockets.
Highly Commended Winner (third highest scoring portfolios):
3 x 16GB 1066x Lexar Professional CF (or SD) cards. These cards are the latest in memory solution technology from Lexar with high speed read transfer rates of up to 160MB/s - capture high quality images and extended lengths of 1080p full HD, 3D and 4K video, supports video performance Guarantee specifications and includes downloadable Image Rescue software.
HP PEOPLE'S CHOICE WINNER:
Chosen by online voting: HP DreamColor II Professional Graphics Monitor. The world’s first color-critical LCD monitor that utilizes the DeamColor engine, the DreamColor II takes this a step further with 10 bit native color, IPS technology, improved back lighting and more. Yet to be released, this is a monitor for the true graphics professional. Win one of the very first models to hit the market place!
ROOKIE WINNER:
Chosen from all entries by Chris McLennan as a single portfolio showing good creativity with potential for further technical development: Nikon 1 AW1 kit including Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm f3.5-5.6 lens. The perfect rookie package you can take anywhere! The stylish Nikon 1 AW1 delivers high quality images and boasts the world's fastest continuous shooting frame rate (15 fps with AF). With its tough waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof construction and additional features like Slow View and Live Image Control, you need never miss another shot, no matter where you are!
No transfer, assignment, substitution or cash alternative of prizes is allowed. If a prize (or part of a prize) is unavailable, the appropriate sponsor may substitute the original prize (or part of a prize) with an alternative prize of equal or greater value.
Any federal, state or local taxes, fees or surcharges placed on receiving a prize - whether domestic or international - are the sole responsibility of the prize winner.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
By registering to the site and / or entering these Awards, all registrants / entrants agree to release and hold harmless The Travel Photography Awards and its partners, sponsors, affiliates and representatives from any and all claims, losses or damages that may arise due to registering to the site / entering into these Awards, or in accepting and making use of any of the prizes awarded as a result of these Awards.
DATA PRIVACY:
As part of the registration process on the site, registered users will be asked to provide their full name, their phone number, their date of birth and also their e-mail address. This data is being collected and held by The Travel Photography Awards in its online database for the purpose of administering these Awards.
The Travel Photography Awards may use the registered users’ name and e-mail address to contact the registered user at any time with updates relevant to the Travel Photography Awards. Additionally, the Travel Photography Awards may use the registered users’ name and e-mail address at a later date to advise them of the submission dates of the following year’s Awards.
The Travel Photography Awards may use the registered user’s name, e-mail address or phone number during the Term of the Awards to advise the entrant of their position as a finalist or winner within the awards, or to contact them with regard to delivery of any relevant prize package after the closing date of the Awards.
The Travel Photography Awards may use the registered user’s date of birth to confirm they are over 18 years of age as at the 1st of January 2014 and are therefore eligible for the travel prize package provided for the Grand Prize Winner of the Amateur category.
The registered user has the right to access, correct or remove their information at any stage.
As a registered user of the site you agree that your name and e-mail address may also be passed on to the sponsors of the Awards for their use in sending you relevant promotional materials that may be of interest. You may opt out of any e-mails received by sponsors at any stage.
We respect your privacy. Any data provided as part of your registration to the site will be covered by the Data Privacy clause above and will NOT be passed on to any third parties outside of these Awards nor sold or provided to any third parties as part of a database list for sale or hire. We will not SPAM you!
ADMINISTRATION:
The Travel Photography Awards are administered by Catherine McLennan of 23B Sarah Todd Lane, Waimauku, Auckland, New Zealand.