The annual Urban Photographer of the Year competition opened for submissions for a fourth year today with the news that entries are now welcome from across the globe.
First launched in 2007 by leading global real estate services firm CBRE as a contest focused on Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA), the Urban Photographer of the Year’s growth has been remarkable. It is now the largest competition of its kind in the world, receiving over 10,000 entries from more than 74 countries last year alone.
The competition’s popular theme “Cities at Work” is designed to challenge amateur and professional photographers alike to capture what they consider to be the essence of urban life at any time of day, be it poignant, inspiring, quirky or amusing.
The overall global winner of the 2012 competition will be able to choose a luxury photo safari from a range of exotic locations sponsored by CBRE. Prizes will also be awarded to two runners-up and for the 24 standout images representing each hour of the day.
Mike Strong, Chairman & CEO of EMEA, CBRE, commented:
“Understanding how cities work is an integral part of CBRE’s business, but they are made up of so much more than just buildings and infrastructure. With over half the world now living and working in urban communities, particularly driven by the phenomenal growth of super-metropolis’ in regions such as China and India, cities not only provide a rich backdrop for those with creative flair and a sharp eye, but a focal point for charting societal development and change.
“We established this competition as a forum for celebrating the urban environment and to showcase the talent of our region’s best photographers. I am delighted that the success of the contest is allowing us to globalise it this year and look forward to receiving the thought-provoking images of city life that have come to represent this competition.”
Past winners have drawn inspiration from a vast spectrum of city sights, from cycling commuters in Hamburg, workers at a recycling plant in Serbia, an urban desert storm in Saudi Arabia, to a city fireworks display in Hungary. Last year’s overall winning image was taken by Victor Melo of Portugal, who submitted an image of a Tunisian stallholder at work in Tunis’ ancient souk.
Martin C. Grahame Dunn, Chairman of the judging panel, added:
“Urban photography is a much neglected part of our social heritage, it is not an accidental by-product of modern life but a deliberate and creative activity. This competition has opened a new and stimulating door in the photography world and its format allows all manner of photographers to bring every hour of the day alive from thousands of different perspectives. Our new global dimension can only add to the meteoric rise of the competition and standard of entries. 2012 will be an exciting year for our judging panel.”
The Urban Photographer of the Year is now open to entries and photographers have until 30 June 2012 to submit their images of Cities at Work. The full list of winners, including the overall Urban Photographer of the Year 2012, will be announced in August 2012. To submit entries and for more information go to: www.cbrephotographer.com or follow @cbrephotos.