The AMB Photo Awards presented by Shimano are back for 2019 and bigger than ever! We have had a huge response in 2017 and 2018, and in 2019 we want to engage with more riders around the world so that photos submitted, no matter where they are shot, fuel the stoke for a mountain biker globally.

There will be four categories, each linked to a hashtag. Each will have a winner, first and second place as voted by you from a short list our judges create. The overall winner for the most complete portfolio, selected by a judging panel. From the submissions of a whole portfolio across the four categores, will also select a local up and comer, an Australian photographer yet to land some major shoots. They will win a paid gig on a major destination shoot with the AMB crew.

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Categories

#joyofMTB

Mountain biking is fun, and mountain biking is joyous. A good ride leaves a smile on your face either from the trails, the buzz, the challenges met or the friends you experienced it with. An entry into this category needs to show the joy that mountain biking brings – either to a rider, a group of friends or a larger audience.

#betweenthetape

It has been at least a decade since mountain biking was lead by racing. But competitiveness lies in just about all of us. A Strava run is one thing, but having a number on your bars and pitting yourself against the clock, the trail, or your competitors changes the mountain bike experience.

Senses are heightened and emotions run to the extreme. This category needs to capture the racing experience. Commitment, risk, reward, dedication – the scope is wide. Whether it's riders going bar-to-bar in a local club XCO race or a leading Enduro rider letting it all hang out, the category is broad but needs to show the passion and commitment that racing requires.

#adventurebyMTB

Away from racing, mountain biking is about adventure. And adventure can only have a personal definition. Your adventure might be riding new lines at a bike park, another rider might define adventure as a multi-day bikepacking trip into the Yukon wilderness. We don't really care, but we want to see photos that show riders getting out there and experiencing the great outdoors. We have a whole world to explore by bike, so whatever location you are shooting in, make sure we can see why it is special and why it is an adventure.

#womeninAMB

We have a lot of women who are part of what you read and view in AMB. But we don't feel like the photo awards have done that justice. So whether you're shooting the women you ride with, the women who ride and race that inspire you – or you're the woman behind the lens, this category is one we want to see explode.

#joyofMTB

#betweenthetape

#adventurebyMTB

#womeninAMB

Photographer of the Year

There can only be one overall winner who earns the title of AMB Photographer of the Year. To be in contention you need to submit an image for each category. This category will be judged by our panel of judges.

The AMB Photographer of the Year will have their images featured in Issue #178 of AMB (the Photo Issue) and will win….

$3000 + A SHIMANO XTR M9100 GROUP SET

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Local Shooter

We want to recognise Australian-based photographers with talent to burn, but who might not have made a big impression across mountain bike media.

Enter as you would for the AMB Photographer of the Year, but select this option.

The winner will be judged by our panel, and will be paid to come and shoot a major feature with us, and Shimano will award them a Shimano Deore XT group set as well!

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Meet the judges

Mike Blewitt

AMB’s long-standing editor. Mike is an avid photographic enthusiast, a passion that has grown from sourcing and selecting some of the spectacular imagery that features strongly in AMB. And having ridden his bike in stunning locations all over the world, he is well placed to discern which photos tell the perfect story of an exciting adventure enjoyed on two wheels.
Tim Bardsley-Smith

One of Australia’s most talented photographers. More often found in the field than behind a desk, Tim has traversed the globe shooting World Cups and EWS rounds for years. Australia is his home, though, and you will just as often see him on the trail sides of a national round or deep in the bushes on some obscure line. With years of photographic expertise, Tim was a clear pick for a judge in this competition.
Paul van der Ploeg

Paul is mostly on the action side of a camera, but as his season of EWS racing and showboating around the globe has been sidelined a little due to breaking his leg in two places, we're calling on Paul's input to look at photos and give feedback on the ones that make him itch to get back out and shred.

F.A.Q’S

View the 2019 AMB Photo Awards Terms and Conditions

Can I enter more than one photo in each category?

Yes you can. You can enter each category as many times as you like. You can also submit multiple portfolios for the AMB Photographer of The Year, or Local Shooter, but we would recommend picking your best shot in each category to form a single portfolio.
How do I enter Photographer of the Year?

Visit the Entry page and upload a shot in each of the 4 categories, along with a location and caption for each image. At the bottom of the page there will then be a tick box available to also submit these four shots as a portfolio entry for the AMB Photographer of the Year. Make sure this box is selected before you click ‘Submit My Entry’.
How does the judging of Photographer of the Year work?

Our panel of nominated judges will review all entries and select the winner & finalists of the Photographer of the Year category. The winner will be deemed as the photographer who has shown the highest degree of technical and creative ability across the four different categories.
How does the public voting for the four individual categories work?

AMB Magazine staff will review all entries and select 12 finalists for each category. The 12 finalists for each category will then be displayed on our micro site http://photoawards.ambmaq.com.au and the public will be able to vote on the best image in each category between 27th August and 12th September. The winning image will be the one that receives the most votes.
How will I be notified if I am a finalist?

You will be notified via email if you are a finalist for any category.
How will I be notified if I win?

You will be notified via email if you are the winner of any category.
Do the photos have to be from this year?

No, not technically, but age of images will be taken into consideration and judged accordingly. Preference will be given to images shot over the last 12 months.

Can I submit photos which I put forward for the 2018 photo awards?

If your image made a category shortlist or won a category last year, it will not be reconsidered for this year's awards. You may re-submit images which were not shortlisted last year if you feel it is particularly relevant to one of the new categories for 2019, but preference will be given to new entries.
In what format and size do I need to supply my photos?

For best results, upload highest-quality JPEGs, with the longest side at a minimum of 1600 pixels. Maximum size is 2MB, minimum size is 1MB. Note that finalists and winners will be called upon to submit high-res & raw versions of shots if required.
Can I submit RAW files?

No you can’t.
What level of post-production is acceptable?

Basic image editing and colour corrections are allowed, i.e. brightness, contrast, sharpening, mood and temperature balance. Black and White is also acceptable.
If I submit images to the wrong category will I be disqualified?

No, you won’t be disqualified, but your image will be judged according to the entered category’s guidelines.
How do I enter Local Shooter?

Visit the Entry page and upload a shot in each of the 4 categories, along with a title and caption for each image. At the bottom of the page there will then be a tick box available to also submit these four shots as a portfolio entry for the AMB Local Shooter award. Make sure this box is selected before you click 'Submit My Entry'.
How does the judging for Local Shooter work?

Our panel of nominated judges will review all entries and select the winner & finalists of the Local Shooter award. The winner will be deemed as the Australian-based photographer who has shown creative and technical flair, and who has room to grow and expand.
When do entries close?

August 20th 2019

Categories

Photographer of the Year

Local Shooter

Meet the judges

Mike Blewitt

Tim Bardsley-Smith

Paul van der Ploeg

F.A.Q’S

View the 2019 AMB Photo Awards Terms and Conditions

Can I enter more than one photo in each category?

How do I enter Photographer of the Year?

How does the judging of Photographer of the Year work?

How does the public voting for the four individual categories work?

How will I be notified if I am a finalist?

How will I be notified if I win?

Do the photos have to be from this year?

Can I submit photos which I put forward for the 2018 photo awards?

In what format and size do I need to supply my photos?

Can I submit RAW files?

What level of post-production is acceptable?

If I submit images to the wrong category will I be disqualified?

How do I enter Local Shooter?

How does the judging for Local Shooter work?

When do entries close?

A FEW ENTRIES