Your Best Shot

Enter your best shot in the Microsoft Future Pro Photographers Photography Contest, download free photo tools, and discover how to submit your photos to National Geographic.

Every now and then I stumble across something that doesn't quite fit with a short write up. This is one of those times, so please bear with me. I promise to make it as short and painless as possible.

Expired
Microsoft has a Future Pro Photographers Photography Contest. (who knew?)

Microsoft says this about the contest:
'This is the most lucrative and influential international student photo contest in the world. The Grand prize is $20,000 and some great photo gear, but more importantly, it provides all four winners the opportunity to kick-start their careers.
Full time college and university students from around the world are invited to submit their three best photos in one of three categories; Nature & Landscape, People & Portraits, and Sports & Photojournalism.
There are no entry fees and all rights remain with the photographer.

Prizes include a $20,000 Grand Prize and three 1st Place prizes of $3000 in each category.
In addition, winners will receive an Epson printer, Lenovo PC mobile workstation, and a five year membership in the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
In addition, winners are invited all expenses paid, to the annual Microsoft Pro Photo Summit held in Redmond, WA each year. Past winners have leveraged this opportunity to network with some of the most influential stakeholders in the digital imaging industry which has resulted in portfolio reviews, internships, and job opportunities.
The Microsoft Pro Photo Summit is invitation only, and an unsurpassed networking opportunity that most pros can only dream of attending.'
The submission period is March 1st through April 30th, 2009.
You can see the site below to enter.

And, Microsoft has a whole site on professional photography with some interesting tools you can download for free.
You can browse various galleries, download Microsoft Pro Photo Tools 2 for free, download Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer for Windows XP for free, browse several good articles and some interesting galleries, including one featuring Art Wolfe that includes a section of his photography tips. (I have a few screen savers featuring his photos - just amazing)

The last place I'm going to mention is the 'Your Shot' section on National Geographic.
No prizes, though you can submit your shot for possible publication in the magazine.
The site also features the editors Daily Dozen picks, jigsaws, free downloadable wallpapers and some other interesting things.

Microsoft Future Pro Photography Contest (link expired)

Microsoft Pro Photo Home

Download Microsoft Pro Photo Tools

Download Microsoft RAW Image Thumbnailer and Viewer for Windows XP

Photo tips from Art Wolfe

National Geographic 'Your Shot '

Signing off,
Rhiannon

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