SheClicks Sponsors Travel Photographer of the Year Women in World Cultures Category
SheClicks is sponsoring a new category in the Travel Photographer of the Year Awards 2024. Called ‘Women in World Cultures’, the category is for images of women involved in every aspect of life across the globe. It’s designed to recognise and celebrate the essential role and contribution made by women to many diverse cultures.
Any travel-related subject is valid for entry, but the image must feature a woman or girl. The images can be taken at any time and in any location. The competition is open to amateur and professional photographers alike.
The winner of the Women in World Cultures will receive a fantastic prize from Lensbaby worth over £1000/$1000 that will open up a wealth of creative opportunities.
Women in World Cultures Prizes
The winner of the Women in World Cultures category will receive a Lensbaby Velvet 28 worth £599/$549.95 and a Lensbaby Twist 60 & Double Glass II Optic Swap Kit worth £459/$499.95.
The Velvet series of lenses (the Velvet 28, 56, and 85) are some of Lensbaby's most popular and widely known standalone lenses. The Velvet 28 is a full-frame 28mm f/2.5 lens available in a wide range of mounts, including for DSLR and mirrorless cameras with full-frame, APS-C, and Four Thirds sensors. It produces an ethereal soft focus effect. Its wide angle of view is perfect for a range of applications, including landscapes and environmental portraits.
The Lensbaby Twist 60 and Double Glass II Optic Swap Kit includes both the Composer Pro II and Straight Body barrels, which can accept any of Lensbaby's Optics Swap optics. The Twist 60 produces images with a sharp central area of focus surrounded by swirling bokeh while the Double Glass II surrounds the sharp zone with wonderfully soft blur.
Thanks to its bendy design, the Composer Pro II allows the sharp spot to be moved around the frame.
The Lensbaby Twist 60 and Double Glass II Optic Swap Kit includes:
Composer Pro II
Optic Swap Straight Body
Twist 60 Optic
ND Filter
Double Glass II Optic
Large Optic Swap Case
Lens Cloth
The Lensbaby Twist 60 and Double Glass II Optic Swap Kit and Velvet 28 will be supplied in the same mount to suit the winner’s camera.
To find out more about Lensbaby lenses and the effects they create, read our guide to the best Lensbaby lenses.
The Lensbaby Twist 60 & Double Glass II Optic Swap Kit includes two Lensbaby bodies or optic housings that allow any of Lensbay’sOptoic Swap lenses to be used on a camera.
Image credit: Karin Claus: The Twist 60 optic creates a swirl effect in out of focus areas.
About the Travel Photographer of the Year (TPOTY)
The TPOTY journey began in 2002 when Chris Coe, a professional travel photographer, grew frustrated with the narrow perception of travel photography among image buyers and picture editors. Despite many photographers capturing great images, these were often overlooked in favour of the predictable ‘pretty pictures’ commonly used in travel features and books.
One day, while driving back from meetings with picture editors in London, Chris heard a BBC radio presenter dismiss travel photography as ‘just pretty brochure shots and Photoshop. Anyone can do it!’ This was the catalyst for Chris. He realised the need to change this perception and to showcase the best in travel photography. Together with his then-wife Karen, Chris decided to create an award that would celebrate and recognise the diversity and breadth of subjects covered by travel photographers, demonstrating the creativity and skill required to capture truly outstanding travel photographs.
Today, the Travel Photographer of the Year awards are firmly established and have an excellent reputation. There’s also a wide range of categories with options to suit everyone, whether you are travelling within your own country or abroad. Visit the TPOTY website for more information and to enter.
The 2024 competition closes for entries on 6th October.
The Lensbaby Velvet 28 is available in many mounts and can be used on DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, including full-frame, APS-C and Micro Four Thirds formats.
Travel Photographer of the Year Categories
This year, the categories are as follows:
Portfolios (for a collection of images)
Faces, People, Cultures
Planet Earth - landscape, climate & water
Travel in Monochrome
Wildlife, Nature & Underwater
Rising Talent Award
One Shot
Cities, Towns, Streets
Escape
Festivals & celebrations
Women in World Cultures
Young Travel Photographer of the Year
Travel experiences
Image credit: Lauren Bramlett. The Lensbaby Velvet 28 produces a soft focus effect at wide apertures.
Travel Photographer of the Year Judges
I was delighted to be invited to join the esteemed panel of judges last year, and I’m happy to say I’ve been invited back for 2024. This year, we are joined by wildlife photographer and Canon ambassador Ellie Rothnie. Ellie had some great advice for photographers of all levels recently, you can find out more by listening to her in a recent episode of the SheClicks Women in Photography podcast.
The full list of TPOTY judges is:
Angela Nicholson – photographer, editor, writer, reviewer and founder of the SheClicks community
Cheryl Brophy Chan – former picture editor at Corbis
Chris Coe – photographer, speaker, mentor & tutor, author & TPOTY founder
Colin Finlay – stock photography expert & print collector
Daria Bonera – photographers’ agent, mentor & picture editor
Ellie Rothnie – wildlife photographer & speaker
Frank Meo – photographer’s agent
Jason Edwards – wildlife, conservation and National Geographic photographer
Jeremy Hoare – photographer, TV lighting cameraman & radio presenter
Keith Berr – advertising & charity project photographer
Linda Barberic – producer & art director
Manfred Zollner – Editor-in-chief at Fotomagazin, Germany
Megan McCubbin – zoologist, conservationist, wildlife TV presenter & photographer
Richard Dunwoody – photographer & former champion jockey
Simon Hill – editorial photographer & RPS President (HonFRPS)
Image credit: Cathy Kuhlman. The Lensbaby Double Glass II delivers a central spot of sharp focus surrounded by blur.
