Enter the Dusk to Dawn Photography Competition for Expert Tips and Prizes

by Jessica Miller

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Shelf	Cameras & Lenses
Date in	Oct 07, 2024
Readers	778

The Dusk to Dawn round of the Amateur Photographer of the Year competition invites photographers to showcase their best low-light images, judged by Liam Man.

Enter the Dusk to Dawn Photography Competition for Expert Tips and Prizes

Round Eight of the Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) competition is now open for entries, featuring the theme Dusk to Dawn. This round invites participants to capture their best low-light photography taken during dusk, dawn, and everything in between.

This category offers photographers a broad scope for creativity. Urban settings shine at dusk with the dynamic interplay between natural twilight and artificial lighting. Ideal opportunities abound in atmospheric indoor venues, like cozy cafés lit by wood stoves, or during nighttime events such as concerts. Landscapes also present captivating challenges, whether you're capturing the vibrant colors of a setting sun or the grandeur of the Milky Way on a clear night. The range of subject matter is truly expansive.

ENTER APOY ROUND EIGHT, DUSK TO DAWN, HERE!

Deadline: 4th November 11:59 PM GMT

Guest Judge: Liam Man

For this round, the guest judge is Liam Man, a notable travel and landscape photographer and a Sony Europe Ambassador. His expertise lies in light-painting, and he captures stunning landscapes that reveal the hidden beauty of various locations. Man’s past works have attracted attention from clients including Adobe and DJI, underscoring his professional standing.

Guidance for Entering the Dusk to Dawn Round

For those eager to enhance their entries, an array of resources and expert guidance is available. These articles provide tips and techniques for different aspects of low-light photography:

Inspiration from Previous Winners

If you're looking for design inspiration, draw insights from last year's top ten photographers, who have each demonstrated unique approaches to low-light imagery.

Baris Buke, The Netherlands

Camera used: Sony A6000; Lens: Vivitar 28mm f/2.5; Exposure: 1/100 sec at ISO 1000

model posed in tiled room with bright red light dusk to dawn example — Image: Baris Buke

Baris secured the fifth place with an imaginative shot characterized by vibrant colors and intriguing composition. The judges commended the ‘witty and original’ qualities of the image, highlighting the creative use of available light. Baris commented that the shot stemmed from a spontaneous nighttime gathering, utilizing RGB lighting to craft an atmospheric scene.

Angela Lambourn, Leicestershire

Camera used: Nikon D75; Lens: 50mm; Exposure: 1 sec at f/11, ISO 2500

dashed orange light flickering through the middle of the frame of dark low light creative scene dusk to dawn — Image: Angela Lambourn

Angela’s hauntingly beautiful landscape secured her the second position. The judicious use of long exposure captured ethereal colors, while she deviated from traditional methods to optimize her settings aboard a moving ship. The collective result was a dreamlike interpretation of the serene Norwegian fjords.

Charles Ashton, Worcestershire

Camera used: Nikon Z 9; Lens: 50mm f/1.2 S; Exposure: 1/100 sec at f/1.2, ISO 1100

canid man on a bus capturing moment of distance and contemplation — Image: Charles Ashton

Charles clinched third place with "The Night Bus," depicting a moment of introspection. By strategically positioning himself at a bus stop amidst pouring rain, he crafted a visually captivating piece enriched by the warm lighting within the bus. The post-processing involved careful adjustments to enhance the mood of the photograph further.

Camera Club Award

If you're a member of a camera club, entering the APOY could earn points for your team, contributing to a club competition. The club accumulating the most points will be rewarded with a ViewSonic X1-4K projector worth £1,500. Moreover, the top-point contributor will receive a ViewSonic ColorPro VP2786-4K monitor valued at £1,000.

The Young APOY Award

The fourth Young Photographer of the Year competition encourages photographers aged 21 or younger to participate. Entrants are invited to submit works in the same categories as the main contest. Each young winner receives an Adobe Photography Plan subscription for one year, while the overall winner gains a £500 voucher redeemable at Camera Centre UK.

Prizes Overview

APOY Prizes:

Round winners each earn a £500 voucher at Camera Centre UK and a one-year subscription to Adobe’s All Apps plan, valued at £660.
Runner-ups receive a one-year subscription to Adobe’s Photography plan, worth £120.
The overall winner, following ten rounds, receives a £1,000 voucher at Camera Centre UK.

Young APOY Prizes:

Round winners get a one-year subscription to Adobe’s Photography plan, worth £120.
The overall Young APOY winner receives a £500 voucher for Camera Centre UK.

Camera Club Prizes:

The club with the most points by competition's conclusion earns a 4K ViewSonic projector.
The club member who contributes the most points gets a ViewSonic monitor.