WELCOME BACK
To the Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Awards.
HOPE
2020 has been a year like no other. We want all cyclists and cycling photographers to be part of the Awards — so our theme this year is “hope”. Hope that your images will bring some light and share some joy to each other — like they have in previous years.
To recognise the impact covid 19 has had on all our lives — including the lack of cycling events where almost all our entries come from — we’re encouraging you all to enter the images that represent what 2020 has meant to you.
We want to see the images that shaped your cycling lives in 2020 — and we recognise that there may not be as many race shots as we’re used to — leaving the opportunity for you to show the emotion that cycling has brought to you.
FREE ENTRY
This year, all photos can be entered free — to recognise that some people may have been affected financially by the pandemic. Of course the Awards — are and always will be, about making a difference — and if you can help support cancer research by paying the entry fee, we’re grateful to you. And if not — we’re glad you’ve entered your images this year and shared you’re experience.
OUR PURPOSE
Just before you enter the awards, one little reminder of why we exist — to help others. Selfishly, I have to admit that part of my motivation is to give my son Lucas something so special that encapsulates the values his Dad lived by. And I’m so proud to say that Lucas has grown into a kind human being, who shares some of Mark’s best qualities.
We’ve lost so many people worldwide to covid, and sadly, it and cancer will continue to take more. May your photos bring us all light, and hope, and joy in the weeks to come.
CYCLINGTIPS
The #markgunterphotoawards2020 are brought to you yet again with support of CyclingTips – and they open very now!
Happy searching — Leeanne Gatien, Mark Gunter Photography
ENTER NOW
Calling cyclists with a camera or phone to enter and bring HOPE to our community.
Simply upload up to 3 of your own images here.
Entries open 9am Friday 4th Dec 2020 and close 5pm Sunday 5th Jan 2021 AEDT. Winners are announced 11th Jan 2021.
Your AUD$25 entry fee goes towards cancer research.
This year entry is free to anyone who feels they’ve been affected financially in 2020.
JUDGING PANEL
We are pleased to announce our Judges who are renowned Professional Cycling Photographers and CyclingTips contributors.
Judge 1 Kristof Ramon
Judge 2 Tim Bardsley-Smith
Judge 3 Jared & Ashley Gruber
Our Judges announce their shortlists after the Awards close, to then commence the gruelling task of selecting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.
Photographer & long time contributor of the Awards Graham Watson
READ THEIR STORIES BELOW
GIVING BACK
Helping others is what we do because Mark loved the cycling community, and shared with others as much as he could.
In the spirit of giving back – and especially this year – proceeds from the entry fees are being donated to Tour de Cure
We’re not expecting as many entry fees this year, and sadly for this reason we’re not able to support young cyclists through the Young Cyclist Assistance in 2020. But we’re hopeful that this will return in future years.
This year images can be entered into one of two categories: Professional | Amateur
It has been a tough for many — including the businesses which support the Awards. Unfortunately, it means there aren’t any prizes on offer this year. On the upside, we’ve made entering free if you’ve been hit hard by covid.
We’re glad to confirm that we will continue to recognise the work of the Professional category by awarding the perpetual trophy and the medallions.
We hope you understand and you’re still keen to enter and be part of bringing hope to the global cycling community.
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER CATEGORY
2002 has been a very condensed Pro Tour calendar and it’s had an impact throughout the peloton, including photographers.
We encourage you all to enter images that inspire ‘hope’ from the year we’ll never forget.
By definition in the rules, a Professional Photographer earns AUD$25,000 from photography specifically relating to cycling in a normal year.
PROFESSIONAL PRIZES
We celebrate and recognise Professional photographers with the Mark Gunter perpetual trophy and medallion.
1st Place The Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award perpetual trophy and gold medallion
2nd Place The Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award silver medallion
3rd Place The Mark Gunter Photographer of the Year Award bronze medallion
AMATEUR CATEGORY
Anyone and everyone — whether you’re an enthusiast, semi-professional photographer, or an avid cyclist using your phone. You’re encouraged to submit your best work — and be part of something special.
Images from high end camera’s including DSLR’s, to mirrorless, interchangeable lens cameras, film, and compact, smartphones, and drones can be entered into the Amateur category.
AMATEUR PRIZES
Along with the accolade and the pride and joy of being selected by three of the top cycling photographers on the scene, we have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes by Wahoo Fitness @wahoofitnessofficial.
1st Place — Wahoo ELEMNT ROAM + 1-year Sufferfest subscription
2nd Place — Wahoo RIVAL Multisport Watch + 1-year Sufferfest subscription
3rd Place — Wahoo TICKR + 1-year Sufferfest subscription
Plus there’s the chance to be selected as part of Graham’s Choice — and be recognised by the original pro peloton cycling photographer.
In 2021, things will be different (they have to be!).
Image by Graham Watson | Cycling Photography Royalty
GRAHAM’S CHOICE
We’re delighted that Graham Watson is back again. He is our only contributor to be involved in all five years of the Awards!
Graham will select his top 10, most insightful and creative photos in the Amateur category — in Graham’s Choice.
Everyone who’s been picked by Graham in the Amateur category will be recognised.
GRAHAM’S CHOICE PRIZES
To be recognised by Graham Watson will have to be enough — as there aren’t any prizes for Graham’s Choice this year either!
LUCAS’S LIST
In 2019, for the first time since the inaugural year, Lucas showed an interest in the images in the Awards. He saw the Judges were making their Shortlists, and he wanted to be part of the Awards too!
It was completely unplanned that he picked his list. He was five years old, and connected to the competition in a way that makes me so proud — of him, and of Mark.
I’m thrilled to announce that Lucas will pick his list again in 2020!
LUCAS’S LIST PRIZES
There’s no accolade for being chosen by Lucas, but with any luck, he’ll add a little hope and light to your life if he’s chooses one of your photos.
KRISTOF RAMON
Kristof Ramon returns as a Judge in 2020 — he was a judge in the inaugural Awards. He hails from Belgium, the heartland of road racing, where cycling is in the blood.
Kristof describes himself as a storyteller; of everything from race, to the pro cyclists, and the scenes behind a race.
TIM BARDSLEY-SMITH
Tim Bardsley-Smith is an experienced cycling photographer, based in Australia, focusing on road and mountain bike racing.
Tim was the winner of the 2017 Photographer of the Year — Professional category — with his stunning image of switchbacks in Tibet. We welcome him to the Judging panel this year.
JARED & ASHLEY GRUBER
Ashley and Jered Gruber are two of the most well known photographers in pro cycling and they return as Judges once again.
After years of chasing cycling around the globe, their passion for both the sport and their craft has helped elevate them to amongst the best cycling photographers in the world.
GRAHAM WATSON
Graham has been with the Awards since it’s inaugural year in 2016. He is arguably the most well known cycling photographer of his time and his iconic images captured many of cycling’s most moments over his 44 years of photography.
As one of the pioneers of the cycling media, Graham brings an immense volume of knowledge and expertise in cycling photography. He and Mark knew each other well and we are thrilled that Graham is yet again part of the Awards.
Once again, Graham will contribute to the Awards by selecting his choice in the Amateur category. He’ll select his top 10 as ‘Graham’s Choice’, so you’ll have the chance — and the thrill — of being recognised by Graham! Graham Watson @grahamwatson10
RULES
Check out the full Rules of the Awards here.
Some key dates and information below;
– Awards open 9am 4th December 2020 and close 5pm 5th January 2021 (AEDT)
– Categories: Professional and Amateur (this year we’ve combined Enthusiast and Smartphone categories into Amateur)
– Each photo must have been taken between 1st January 2020 and 5th January 2021
– Each photo must relate to cycling and be original material by the photographer entrant
OUR CHARITY PARTNER
Our charity partner Tour de Cure Australia — a cycling based cancer charity in Australia, dedicated to raising money from within the cycling community.
They have contributed to 40 cancer breakthroughs and raised over $50 million dollars. We’re proud to be supporting them again in 2020.
SUPPORTED BY CYCLINGTIPS
It all started with one phone call from Wade from CyclingTips asking if there way any way we could honour Mark and his work.
From the inception in 2016, CyclingTips have supported and promoted the Awards — and 2020 is no different.
We want YOU to share your stories of whatever cycling looked like for you — at home on the zwift, or out on the road or gravel, with friends, or riding alone.
Be part of bringing hope to others today.