Applications are now closed - best of luck to everyone that applied!
Ever wondered what it would be like on assignment as a National Geographic photographer?
This is your chance to go to Greenland and be mentored by Nat Geo veteran and host of National Geographic Channel's Pure Photography series, Jason Edwards!
Photo courtesy of Mads Pihl – Destination Arctic Circle
Applications close July 5th 2013, at 2pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC +10)
Here it is, aspiring photographers....
WorldNomads.com and National Geographic Channel are giving one aspiring photographer the opportunity to accompany renowned wildlife and natural history photographer, Jason Edwards, on assignment in Greenland. Find out firsthand what life is like in the field for a travel photographer and learn the tricks of the trade during this 10-day mentorship experience.
About the Assignment
Rough. Real. Remote. Greenland has been beckoning intrepid spirits for thousands of years and for many feels like a place you've known, but never been. It is the land of adventure that celebrates raw nature and deep cultural traditions.
Explore this stunning country with an 10-day custom itinerary with Visit Greenland and Destination Arctic Circle. Begin your assignment in the Kangerlussuaq community before flying along the rugged edge of the nearby ice cap to the Russell Glacier. You’ll spend the next two days and nights exploring the majestic Russell Glacier - hiking, and shooting along the various ridges. Next, you’ll set up camp near a lake in the rolling hills of the highlands in search of musk oxen and arctic hare (and maybe even a shy reindeer!)
For a change of scenery, you’ll fly to Maniitsoq with Air Greenland where you’ll take a charter boat to Kangaamiut. The boat will pass scenic fiordscapes with high peaks, narrow passages, archipelagos, and remnants of abandoned settlements along the way – all culminating in an excursion to the famed Eternity Fjord the next day. A visit to the community of Kangaamiut will give you a sense of the rhythm of the country and how communities are intrinsically connected to their environment.
Check out the full itinerary here.
Here’s the deal:
*You must be available to be in Greenland between August 26-September 6, 2013.
*On the trip you will work alongside Jason Edwards photographing the people, wildlife and landscapes of Greenland at various times of the day and night.
*You will gain invaluable mentoring and hands-on experience in everything from shot set up, technique and composition through to insights into his many years of diverse experience as an award-winning photographer.
*Your assignment will involve observing and assisting Jason as well as undertaking your own photographic work. This will involve long days, early mornings and late nights working!
*Most of all, you'll be experiencing what it's like to be a photographer on-assignment with National Geographic!
Photo courtesy of Mads Pihl – Destination Arctic Circle
Your Brief
*You will work through a specific shot list of 30 photos that will be commissioned by the scholarship partners as part of your assignment.
*You will keep a daily diary about your time on the trip and upload this to a WorldNomads.com travel journal (minimum 200 words per day), including pictures you've taken.
*On your return you will work with Jason Edwards through the editorial process to shortlist your top photographs and colour balance to achieve professional looking shots for submission to National Geographic Channel for publication.
A selection of your best photos will be published on National Geographic Channel where they will be viewed by thousands of travellers worldwide, offering you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get your foot in the door of one of the most revered exploration organisations in the world!
The Prizes
The Winner will receive:
*A 10-day bespoke trip to Greenland with Visit Greenland and Destination Arctic Circle.
*Round-trip airfare from your country of residence to Copenhagen, then from Copenhagen to Nuuk thanks to Air Greenland where you will meet your mentor and small film crew.
*Up to $1000 worth of gear to keep you warm in the Arctic.
*Travel insurance for the duration of the trip from World Nomads.
Photo courtesy of Visit Greenland
Who can apply
* This opportunity is open to any non-professional trying to start a career in Travel Photography - photography students or keen amateurs/pro-amateurs looking for a foot in the door.
* Minimum age 18 by the application deadline with a good level of physical fitness.
* This is a global opportunity - you may be a resident of any country.
* You should be an exceptional photographer with a lust for adventure, have a strong desire to be mentored and grow your photographic knowledge and skills, an ambition to forge a career in Travel Photography, and of course a desire to travel to Greenland.
* Remember this is a scholarship, a learning experience, and therefore will not be suitable for professional or semi-professional photographers.
Am I eligible? What makes a non-professional?
We appreciate that the photography industry is difficult to break into and there are a lucky few who can count themselves as professional full time photographers.
This scholarship is very much about the mentorship opportunity, and the judging panel will be selecting the person who they feel will most benefit from the learning opportunity. So, if you currently make more than 25% of your income from photography activities, you are not eligible.
You will be asked to outline your experience to date in the submission process, and it will be the judging panel who decides who is most suitable based on their photos and written component.
Find out more about eligibility on our FAQ page.
Photo courtesy of Mads Pihl – Destination Arctic Circle
Important Dates
**You need to be available between August 26 - September 6, 2013 to participate on the assignment.**
Applications Accepted: May 17 - July 5, 2013
Judging Period: July 5 - July 25
Winner Announced: July 26
Assignment: August 26 - September 6, 2013
Apply now!
Please look carefully at the 4 steps required to complete your application.
If your photos (with captions and essay) are not ready, we suggest you come back later to complete this entry.
1. Shoot a series of photos (maximum of 5)
They must tell a story about a place you have visited. 'Place' may be anywhere; somewhere in your own community or much further away. The judges will be looking for:
* originality
* ability to convey a story through photos
* excellent technique
Each of the 5 shots must have accompanying caption text to help contextualize the shot.
Please see our FAQ page about the theme, making digital adjustments and Jason's judging criteria before you submit your application..
2. Add your photos to WorldNomads.com.
Firstly create a journal, which is where your photos will be hosted, and fill in the entry form. Upload your photos either as a Flickr set (they need to be the only 5 photos in the particular Flickr set) or directly in the journal. This year we have a new functionality in Journals that allows you to view your photos in a much larger format, similar to Flickr. (If you are already a member or have a journal, please sign-in.)
*Please don't remove the tags and title of the gallery we have set up for you - this is how we find you*
3. Tell us in 1200 characters or less about yourself and why you should be chosen.
Your written response will have significant weighting in the judging process, so think carefully about why you should be chosen. Tell us about yourself, your passions, why you love photography, what drives you to take a better shot, where you would like to go with your photography etc. Help us form a picture in our mind of you as a person with your text.
Remember this is a once in a lifetime learning opportunity, not a junket for professional photographers.
4. Finally the legal bit.
You know the Terms and Conditions of entry.
One entry per person
*Note: Should your entry reach the final round of judging you will be asked to supply the RAW file of each photo for comparison with your submission (these may also be published online).
Applications close: 2pm July 5, 2013 (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Please Note: Last year we almost had a server meltdown because applicants left it to the last minute to submit. Don't miss out! Apply well before the closing date to ensure your application is successful!
The recipient of the Scholarship, along with the best entries, will be published on WorldNomads.com on July 26, 2013.
Photo courtesy of Mads Pihl – Destination Arctic Circle
Check out our finalists and shortlists from 2011 and 2012 along with judge's comments.
See past travel photography scholarship winner Walid Rashid's photos (2011) and Dat Vu's photos (2010) on the Nat Geo Channel website, and Anna Zhu's (2009) exhibition with Jason Edwards in Sydney.
Any Questions?
Take a look at our FAQs page which provides more details on the task, technical guidelines, judging criteria, eligibility and more. Please read this page before posting your question in the comments sections below - chances are, we've already answered your question there!
Posters
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About Jason Edwards
With an image portfolio ranking among the largest of any photographer in the National Geographic Society's long history, Melbourne-based photo journalist Jason Edwards is the face of Pure Photography on National Geographic Channel. This series of natural history vignettes accompanies him on assignment as he chronicles the world's natural wonders through a lens. Follow Jason and his amazing adventures of life in the field as a National Geographic Photographer here. And you might even get some photography tips!
For all of you aspiring creatives, check out our Scholarships page and sign up to hear about our latest opportunities, tips, advice and interviews with industry professionals in the fields of photography, travel writing and filmmaking.
And if you're lucky enough to be mentored by one of our industry professionals, it could kick start your career!
WorldNomads.com keeps you travelling safely. Whether you’re off for a long weekend, looking for the ultimate adventure or living the nomadic dream, you’ll stay safe with Travel Insurance you can buy online, anytime, and the latest travel safety advice. Learn how to flirt in over 25 languages with our free language guides and have an experience of a lifetime on a travel scholarship. We'll also help you share your journey with a free travel blog, get answers from other nomads to all of your travel questions (try the new 'Ask A Nomad' iPad app) and donate to a local community development project through our Footprints program.
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