WPPI Print Competition 2009
February 21st, 2009 | Personal, Seminars & WorkshopsA lot of you have asked about the WPPI print competition. I thought I should blog about it so we can understand the process better. Close to 3000 prints were submitted from around the world. About 700 scored above 80 points and were awarded the Accolades of Excellence. I’ll explain the process with some pictures…
75 judges went through the 3000 submissions. The prints are displayed with 2 tungsten lights in front of a panel of 6 judges and a chairperson. Points are accorded with an electronic system, taking the average from the 6 judges.
Pictures that are scored above 80 points are awarded the Accolades of Excellence (AOE) and entered into the final round of selection where the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Grand Awards are chosen. These prints are hung & exhibited in 3 halls or “halls of fame”. I have a greater appreciation for AOE when I realized how many great prints didn’t make the cut. My print, “Running to Him” on display. I have a 7 prints awarded AOE, that’s 1% of the total AOE. I am honoured.
The freakiest thing happened. Goeff Chesman and his friends walked into the hall, pointed at “Running to him” and said, “You should check out this guy, Louis Pang. I love his work.” That was my first minute of fame. LOL. Unaware that I was the photographer he was talking about, I introduced myself and we took a picture together. Geoff is a silent reader of this blog. Blogging can bring many surprises and new friends 
The most coveted prize of our industry on display during the Awards Reception. That’s our Oscars!
We were early so we got some nice seats before this hall was packed.
The emcees of the night, Bambi Cantrell & Jim Garner, both extremely talented photographer.
Rangerfinder chief editor, Bill Hurter (right) receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from WPPI President, Skip Cohen.
Cliff Mautner collects the Grand Award for the Photojournalism category. Only the Grand Award recipients get a chance to speak. He won it with a hell of a shot.
Marc Aviles who moved from Philippines to California won the first place. He collects his crystal award from Arlene Evans, WPPI director of operations.
Marc’s wife, Phoebe, shares the joy & pride of this proud moment. I was please to be there to capture the moment for them. This award-winning husband-and-wife team is humble, warm and passionate. I am humbled, blessed and inspired by them. Phoebe and I took Yervant’s class together. Check out what Rangefinder magazine has to say about them. Check out their uber cool website too!
I walked away from WPPI 2009 very much humbled, blessed, & inspired. The level of work is so high. Everyone on the top of their game are absolutely dedicated to the artistry and business, pushing the bar higher and higher. I’ve forged new friendship. Learning happens not only inside the classroom but often in the cafes and the hallways where we share openly. I am very proud to participate in an organization that is absolutely committed to excellence and helping photographers around the world to push the bar higher each year.
February 21st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Congratulations for receiving the awards… we are all proud of you!
February 21st, 2009 at 3:22 pm
1% worldwide competition. This only means that you’ve made it into the world’s top 100. Congrats! Not many fellow Malaysians have the kind of dreams and perseverance that you do. Fewer have made us proud to be who we are. You’re one of the few! God bless!
February 21st, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Thanks for sharing. Through you we are able to gain some insights and experience from WPPI, an event that not all of us would be able to attend. I’m encouraged by you to do printing and submit photos for competitions as this not only pushes us to create better images but also boost our self confidence that we are also capable photographers. The goal is to be able to consistent generate great images and with that more practice and perseverance is needed.
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:05 am
Congratulation Master Louis. You’ve made our Malaysian Proud!
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 am
Hi Louis,
I was browsing through your blog and noticed that you have bought Radio Poppers. Sounds really cool! Well, I’m thinking about getting some myself but I really need to check with you because I did contact radiopoppers by email to ask why they dont export their products.
Apparently, it’s something to do with the frequencies, they said the radiopopper channels used on the current/previous models will randomly trigger off when there are mobile phones around. So my main concern is does it trigger off randomly when you use yours? I really hope you can tell me because I am thinking of buying a few units and I would so flip if this is a problem.
February 22nd, 2009 at 11:10 am
Larry: I have used the first generation of RP for 8 months. Connection can be erratic but this rarely happens…usually caused by weak battery power. I love them. I just bought 5 units of PX (2nd gen) of RP a few days ago. I haven’t had a chance to try them out yet. The older units were snapped up by a good friend.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Hi Louis!!!
We both were hoping to run into you at the convention! Nice work by the way! Your prints really stood out to me and not to take away from the winners, but I really think yours should have been one of them! I am honored from even competing with you, your very inspiring and such a down to earth person! Thank you for the compliments you have given my print! Can’t wait to meet you in the future! Keep up the amazing work! Your going to be of the masters soon and I will be first in line to take your classes at WPPI!!!!!!
-Sharon Cousineau
February 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Congrats on your AOE’s, Louis! You are awesome!
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Congratulations for the this one, Master Louis! Once again, you make us proud as a Malaysian and Sabahan, off course!! Great job! Once again.. again, you give us the inspiration !!
February 24th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Louis – It was a pleasant surprise meeting you at WPPI in Vegas. I always enjoy inspiration from worthy sources and can verify that I am a follower of your blog from here in the Washington, DC area. My camera has taken me many places and I truly treasure the connections forged through the common bond of photography. Congratulations on the accolades and I hope our paths cross again.
- Geoff Chesman
February 26th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Hi Louis,
Thanks for your kind words. I learned about your blog accidentally..
If you dont mind, can I use the our photos that you shoot?
Thanks
Marc
February 26th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Hi Louis, want to say thank you for inspiring me and those around me.
Since joining Franklin’s studio, i have pushed him and our studio to join WPPI. Both Franklin and I am now WPPI member, and we got 2 Accolades of Excellence in this first time of entry into the 2009 16X20 prints competition.
We plan to be there in WPPI LA next year too.
It all began after I joined your workshop.
February 26th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Martina, thank you for your encouragement. It means a GREAT DEAL to me. You’ve just made my day