How to enter the 2020 AMB Photography Awards presented by Shimano

They're back again! In 2020 the AMB Photography Awards presented by Shimano adjust their focus onto photography – sounds wild, right? We have created a mix of categories that represent a range of mountain bike photography styles. The terms might not be too technical, but you will need to brush up your skills to really nail and win a category, or the overall.

Given 2020 has thrown up many challenges, we encourage you to go through your stock photos to find images that suit. If riding outside with one other is safe and allowed in your region – go right ahead and get something fresh.

Take a look at the winners from 2019.

New categories for 2020

There will be four categories. Each will have a winner, second and third place as voted by you from a short list that we put together with our judges. There will be an overall winner for the most complete portfolio, selected by a judging panel.

Young Photgrapher of the Year

If you're under 20, you can enter our Young Photographer of the Year award at the same time with any photo you upload. This will be a one off image in any of the categories, and the winner will be selected via public voting from a short list selected by our judges.

So – the categories!
 

Hero Shot

We are always looking for the hero shot. The photo that grabs attention on Instagram, or lands on a cover, or opens a major print feature. Hero shots are high action and show great detail of the bike and rider, filling a lot of the frame with the bike and rider. Getting a good hero shot can be all about the right combination of rider, photographer, trail and light. Absolutely nailing it takes great timing and direction.

Photo: Cam Mackenzie

Pan shot

A pan shot is often attempted but not always perfected. It's not a terribly hard skill, but it does take an understanding of your camera settings, and choosing the right area on a trail to get the right effect. We'll be looking to see as much of the rider being as sharp as possible, and the framing to capture the speed and path of motion of the rider.

Photo: Tim Bardsley-Smith

Wide angle

Mountain biking takes us into the wide open spaces. In this category we want you to show us how well you capture that. Shooting a wide angle photo takes a strong understanding of composition, setting up your camera to deal with the different light in each area of the frame, placing the rider in focus, and pulling it all together through excellent post production editing. While we might often take a really nice wide angle photo showing off the environment we get to ride bikes in, getting it just right is an art.

Photo: Tim Bardsley-Smith

Detail

What draws your eye when looking at a photo? Is it seeing how sharp the roost is off a back wheel? The focus of a rider's eyes through clear lenses? How a tyre is deforming to find traction over a wet root on an off-camber corner? You will not always find this level of precision and detail in photos, but those images that catch the action and precision in a frame frozen in time, in perfect clarity, are exactly what we are looking for. Show us focus, show us precision. Both on the bike and behind the lens.

Photo: Nick Waygood

AMB Photographer of the Year

This is the big one! To win the overall title you need to blow our judges away with your portfolio of four images, one from each category: Hero Shot, Pan Shot, Wide Angle and Detail. You can enter more than one portfolio, but we really recommend making sure you have one that is the best of the best!

The Photographer of the Year wins $3000 and a Shimano XTR M9100 group set! Plus you will beinterviewed and have your work showcased in Issue #185 of AMB.

Young Photographer of the Year

For this one, we're looking for your best photo from a photographer who is under 20 during the competition period. It can be from any category: Hero Shot, Pan Shot, Wide Angle or Detail. You can enter more than once.

The Young Photographer of the Year wins a paid photo feature in AMB, a Shimano Deore XT M8100 group set, along with having their winning photo featured in Issue #185 of AMB, along with an interview.

How to enter

Point your browser to photoawards.amb.com.au and you can choose wether you want to enter one category, a couple, or all of them! You can enter as many times as you like, but if you really want to have a crack at being the Photographer of the Year, choose your mix of four images wisely. One image that's a bit off could be what puts you out of the running.

Full terms and conditions and FAQs are online.