The judging for Nikon Photo Contest International (NPCI) 2008-2009 took place this week. After deciding with the other judges the general prizes, as a judge invited by Nikon Imaging Japan Inc., have selected the Emerging Talent Award of this region.

We spent most of all the 3 days in a meeting room but it was really interesting to discuss our thoughts amongst the other judges and I enjoyed seeing many photos that had come from different places of the world.

However, I thought it was a pity and did not like the fact that I saw many that were apparently imitating the previous awarded photographs of the past (how would we ever choose the same kind of images as before), and it was really a shame that we saw a lot of manipulation in the photos afterwards with the computer software that were deceptive (trying to create and make the scene look better is different from creating a false story).

Additionally, being very honest, I did not encounter something that really made us astounded or had impact on me. Though it was a relief to see more naive and innocent feelings in the photos of the 29 year-old and under participants. I look forward to seeing photographs that are not copying someone else’s work (it is not bad to start photography by trying to imitate) but is something that you could say it is your own, your original. The prize winners are (planned to be) announced at the end of July 2009.
http://www.nikon-image.com/jpn/activity/npci/npci2008-2009/index.htm