The World Photographic Cup, co-founded by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and the Federation of European Photographers (FEP), announced the finalists from 32 countries who will square off in 2019. The national teams, including two-time winner Portugal, will be vying to take the cup from three-time winner and reigning champ, Team USA.
The World Photographic Cup’s mission is to unite photographers in a spirit of friendship and cooperation. This year’s record-breaking list of 32 registered countries spans all over the globe from Australia to the Netherlands to Malaysia and Spain. The full list of countries can be found at http://www.worldphotographiccup.org.
“The World Photographic Cup is unlike any other photographic competition in that it not only involves the best professional photographers from around the world but in true Olympic style, it offers nations the chance to compete against each other,” said PPA CEO David Trust. “The result is, in effect, the best possible portfolio of photography from across the globe that shines a bright light on our industry.”
Each country is represented by one team which is created by a national association comprised of professional photographers. Teams pick their own photographers and images to enter. Teams may submit up to three images in each of six categories: Portrait, Wedding, Commercial (including advertising, architecture, industrial, fashion), Illustrative/Digital Art, Reportage/ Photojournalism and Landscape/Wildlife. Teams may choose to enter the images of a single photographer in multiple categories; no single photographer may have multiple images entered into a single category.
Gold (1st), Silver (2nd), and Bronze (3rd) medals are awarded to the individual creator in each category. Teams are awarded points based on an aggregate score of the top ten placements in all categories. The World Photographic Cup is awarded to the national team that receives the highest overall score. The Team USA finalist photographers are:
Commercial category: Megan Drane, John Grusd, M.Photog., Ben Shirk, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr.
Illustrative category: Dan Francis, M.Photog.Cr., CPP, Dan McClanahan, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr., Ben Shirk, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr.
Landscape/Nature category: Sheila Gardner, M.Photog., Peter Lik, M.Photog., Chris Vander Velde, M.Photog.M.Artist.
Portrait category: Erich Caparas, Heidi Mixon, CPP, Ben Shirk, M.Photog.M.Artist.Cr.
Reportage category: Jennifer Alvi, Roben Bellomo, M.Photog., CPP, Ross Magnuson, M.Photog., CPP
Wedding category: Michael Anthony, Marceliano Munoz, M.Photog.Cr., Mario Munoz, M.Photog.Cr.
The WPC top-ten finalist images in each category will be formally announced and Best of Nation Awards will be presented at the Grand Imaging Awards of Imaging USA in Atlanta, Ga on January 21, 2019.
The winner of the World Photographic Cup will be announced at the WPC Awards Ceremony in Drammen, Norway, on April 8, 2019. For more information on the World Photographic Cup, and to view the finalist images from around the world, visit WorldPhotographicCup.org.
About Professional Photographers of America (PPA):
Professional Photographers of America (PPA) is the largest and longest-standing nonprofit photography trade association with a 150-year history. It currently helps 30,000+ pros elevate their craft and grow their business with resources, protection, and education, all under PPA’s core guiding principle of bridging the gap between photographers and consumers.
Leave a Reply