Over the past few weeks, more and more top names have joined the Red Bull Illume judging panel. They include Outside magazine's photography director, Hannah McCaughey, Sérgio Branco, editor-in-chief of Brazil's Fotografe Melhor and Caren Firouz, from Reuters (Iran). The elite panel is ready to sort through thousands of images in their quest to find the world’s greatest action and adventure sports photographs when submissions close on April 30th, 2013.
Photographers may be wondering what it will take to impress. Alan Davis from Decline magazine reveals what he is looking for: “Since this is an action sports photography contest I think it goes without saying that dynamic, or implied, motion and compelling illumination are imperative. A unique point of view and a narrative will push a good image over the top, but of course this is a high stakes contest so everything else in the images has to be spot-on perfect. No pressure!”
Other judges like Steve White from Action Asia have an affinity towards grit: “Those chewed-up hands and feet, frame-filling faces and lovingly shot gear smacks me in the eyes!” For Kim Scott-Clark, a photo editor on the Daily Mail, it's simply 'the wow-factor'.
Adam Scorey, from Professional Photographer, offers his advice: “I’m looking to be inspired; image impact comes first and then the technical elements. As long as I feel or respond in some way – good or bad. Ambivalence is fine, apathy is not. I also like to read good captions… failing that, a clever title,” says Scorey.
If all else fails, there is certainly one final option that will impress Aaron Checkwood from TransWorld SURF: “Twenties and hundreds!” jokes the photo editor.
Be sure to visit the full list of judges here and browse through their profiles to pick up some tips. Submissions for Red Bull Illume are currently open and there is a handy FAQ that will be of help to photographers with questions.
How to impress the judges
How to impress the judges
