FEP 2009 photo competitions: WHAT A SUCCESS!

“The Federation of European Photographers proudly announces the tremendous success of the 2009 FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year Awards”The “FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year Awards” which is supported by Epson has just closed. We had more than 2,000 entries from 600 photographers in 20 European countries, while the “FEP – Towergate Camerasure European Fine Art Photograph of the Year Award” had 550 entries. “We had a very successful competition and we must be grateful to all our colleagues who enthusiastically entered the competition, to the FEP national member associations for their cooperation, to the photographic professional media who promoted this award and of course our grateful thanks go to Epson and Towergate Camerasure for its support. It has been affirmed as a brilliant initiative to have set up a truly pan-European competition, fully dedicated to professional photographers”, said Neil Warner, FEP President and Chairman of the FEP awards. “Our European colleagues who entered the competitions gave us a terrific chance to verify their highest levels of quality and professionalism and to give just recognition to all those who work in this sector” added Neil Warner. “I am really amazed by the huge number of entries and by the interpretation of “fine art” given from our colleagues”, stressed Pascal Baetens, Member of the FEP Board and Chairman of the fine art section. “I am confident this competition will play a leading role in professional fine art photography in Europe”.”Events like this and such wonderful galleries of images hosted on our web site, will really help promote the photographic profession and raise the level of professional standards”, commented FEP C.E.O. Giuseppe Scozzi.The Judges worked to select the FEP European Professional Social, Commercial and Pictorial Photographers of the Year, the overall FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year as well as the FEP – Towergate Camerasure Fine Art Photograph of the Year. Using the latest technology, the entire judging was carried out online by an international jury voting directly from their own countries. The winners will be awarded at a special ceremony at the Photo Museum of Antwerp on December 17th next. The awards will consist of certificates and a magnificent cut glass trophy. Epson will print the finalist images for inclusion at the annual award ceremony. The Awards Exhibition will consist of 10 finalists in each of the categories from which each category will have been selected. The FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year will have been selected from one of the category winners. In the FEP – Towergate Camerasure European Fine Art Photograph of the Year Award, the collection will be represented by 10 finalists and the overall winning image.As an acknowledgement of the historic standards reached in the FEP – Towergate Camerasure European Fine Art Photograph of the Year Award, Epson will award the winner, membership of the Digigraphie® Collection which represents a world standard in fine art printing.Epson officially supports the “FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year Awards”.Epson has the right to use the photographs for promotional purposes for one year, publishing the name of the author and the event together with the winning images.

Members of the international jury:

“FEP European Professional Photographer of the Year Awards” Supported by EpsonNeil Warner MQEP – FEP President and Commercial Director – Chairman of the Judging Panel – IrelandJim Lowe – Member of the FEP Board and Chairman of the FEP Qualification Cell – UKAndreas Barylli – Member of the FEP Board – AustriaAdriano Scognamillo – Member of the FEP Board – ItalyBruno Vetters – President of the Nationale Vereniging van Beroepsfotografen – BelgiumPierre Delaunay MQEP – Photographer – FranceLucille Feremans MQEP – Photographer – BelgiumVincent O’Byrne MQEP – Photographer – IrelandJørgen Brandt QEP – Photographer – DenmarkMarion Benes – Photographer and Pedagogue – Czech RepublicJordi Borralleras – Market Development Manager for Epson Europe – The Netherlands

Towergate Camerasure officially supports the “FEP Fine Art Photograph of the Year Award”.“FEP – Towergate Camerasure European Fine Art Photograph of the Year Award”Pascal Baetens MQEP – Member of FEP Board – Chairman of the Judging Panel – BelgiumPool Andries – Director Museum of Photography – Antwerp, BelgiumBert Behnke – Former President WCPP and PPA – Illinois, USAJørgen Brandt QEP – Photographer – Chairman Museet for Fotokunst – DenmarkPaul Dyer – Director Towergate – UKPascal Young – Gallerist – Young Photo Gallery – Brussels, Belgium