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AMATEUR WINS AOP OPEN BEST IN SHOW AND THERE IS A DOUBLE HONOUR FOR PUBLIC CHOICE AND JUDGES CHOICE WINNER
The Winners of the AOP Open Best in Show, Public Choice and Judges Choice Awards have been announced after the prize giving on the 21st August.
The Best in Show winner of the 2008 AOP Open is announced as Uygur Yilmaz for his striking portrait of a personal friend entitled Gul. Selected by our four industry judges, from over 1,700 images entered, the winners were announced at a Prize Giving ceremony at the AOP Gallery, London, on the 21st August.
An accomplished amateur photographer, Uygur spends his professional time as the Creative Director of an advertising agency in Turkey. The AOP Open 2008 Best in Show title, adds to the image’s existing success as it has already been awarded with the Let’s Face It: 4 winning title from the London Photographic Association.
Our judges described the winning image as an “atmospheric, alluring portrait that had a drama and appeal that easily eclipsed both more difficult, self-consciously edgy or shocking subjects. Both immediately striking and persistently haunting it was a portrait to which out of thousands of photographs we kept being drawn back.” Olivia Cole, Arts Journalist
There has also been a double whammy for Tanja Schimpl who has been selected for both the Public Choice and Judges Choice Awards. There were more votes than ever before for the Public Choice Award with over 1,700 votes online and in the AOP Gallery.
Three additional images have been selected as Judges Choice winners:
1. Brighton Girls by Tanja Schimpl, chosen by Judge Olivia Cole (as above)
2. Jo by Mat Taylor, chosen by Judge Lottie Davies
3. The Rocks, Swimmer #1 by Liam Arthur, chosen by Judge Steve Edge
4. Accidentally #1 by Mara Sommer, chosen by Judge Clare Freestone
The AOP Open is one of the only major photographic competitions accessible to everyone; vivid, eclectic and full of imagination, it pushes the boundaries of contemporary photography through an exploration of its power and diversity. 82 images have been selected for the exhibition by our panel of industry professionals from 1,700 entries this year. The entire exhibition can be viewed at www.the-awards.com and in the AOP Gallery until the 12th September 2008.
Now in its ninth year, the Association of Photographers Open competition goes from strength to strength and continually surprises with the originality and creativity of the work on show. A search for outstanding imagery with the highest standards met in all genres, it offers a rare opportunity for amateurs, emerging photographers and established professionals to contend on a level playing field.
The Best in Show award winner receives an Epson Stylus Photo R2880 Printer and the winner of the Public Choice receives an Intuos3 Pen Tablet system by Wacom.
The AOP Open exhibition will be held at the AOP Gallery, London EC2A from 12th August to 12th September 2008.
Exhibition opening times: Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm
Admission FREE First Thursdays – 4th September – until 9pm
Saturday 13th September 12 – 6pm as part of Shoreditch Shuffle (tickets required) |
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