Photo Book Awards

Presented by APS Print Group and;

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Total PRIZE POOL $2,000 INCLUDING

$1,500 in MOMENTO PRO VOUCHERS

across two categories: “Portfolio” and “Storytelling”

1^st Prize in each category: $350 voucher

2^nd Prize in each category: $250 voucher

3^rd Prize in each category: $150 voucher

A Cash pool of $500

PROVIDED BY APS PRINT GROUP

Entry is FREE and open to all APS members and camera club members.
Entries must be submitted as printed books, using a printer of your choice.
One book may be entered in each category.
There is no limit to the size, format, or number of pages.

Send or deliver entries to Yvonne Hill at 67 Sugars Rd, Bellbowrie QLD 4070 by 15 October 2021

For further details contact Paul Balfe - paul.e.balfe@gmail.com or 0404 822 317

* Momento Pro offers all Camera Club members 30% off their first order then 10% off all other orders. Visit here to join and redeem your discounts.

COVID UPDATE: Momento Pro are facing significant production delays as a result of the current COVID restrictions. At present Momento Pro can only accept standard book orders. Inkjet book orders are not available at this time. To discuss printing of your book, contact Momento Pro at service@momentopro.com.au or phone 1300 650 127.Entrants can still get their books printed by Momento Pro in time to meet the 15 October deadline for the APS Photobook Awards, but to do so they will need to:

1. Place their orders no later than 15 September; and

2. Notify Momento Pro by email or phone as soon as their orders are placed.

This will allow Momento Pro to tag the orders in their system to ensure they are completed on time, allowing entrants to receive their books in time to then submit them for the APS Photobook Awards.

Due to the changing nature of COVID restrictions, these arrangements may have to change for reasons beyond Momento’s control, in which case they will advise us accordingly.

Entrants who plan to use other photobook printing services should check with their chosen printer to find out what impacts COVID restrictions may be having on their production and delivery timelines.

Category Definitions

There are two categories in the APS Momento Pro Photo Book Awards, “Portfolio” and “Storytelling”.

Entries in the Portfolio category will typically reflect an overarching theme or subject that is explored through the artist’s choice of images. Entries in the Storytelling category will typically follow a story line illustrated by the artist’s choice of images and their sequencing. That said, it is quite possible for a photo book to fit into either category if, for example, it presents thematically-related images that tell a story. In such cases the author is free to enter their work in either category.

The following explanations provide further guidance on choosing the most appropriate category for your photo book entry.

Portfolio

A collection of images that stand together, typically illustrating a specific subject or topic. Text may be included but is not a compulsory element. The selection of images may showcase varieties of form, characteristic behaviours, different moods or any other aspects of the subject that the author wishes to portray. Ideally, the selected images will work together so that the portfolio has a visual impact “greater than the sum of its parts”. Judging criteria include excellence and fitness for purpose in photography; selection and sequencing of images; design, layout and typography.

Storytelling

A collection of images that stand together to present a story or narrative. Images are typically chosen and organised to illuminate the story that the author wishes to tell. Text may be included to augment the narrative but is not a compulsory element. In addition to excellence and fitness for purpose in photography, selection and sequencing of images, design, layout and typography, the judges will give weight to the originality of concept and design as well as an engaging visual narrative.

Notes

You may include your name on your book as the author.

Presentations will be made via Zoom on 27^th October, further details to be advised.

Momento Pro photo book discounts
Should you choose to print your photo book with Momento Pro, join their Club Program to receive a 30% discount on your first order then 10% off all other orders. Order before 15 September to receive your book in good time to submit it before the competition deadline of 15 October. Download the software, view the range and claim your discount by visiting this link.

Host a Camera Club Photo Book Competition
Extend your member’s photographic skills and showcase their creativity by hosting a photo book competition at your local camera club. Read our quick guide on hosting a photo book competition and be inspired by the winning photo books below. Momento Pro is offering voucher prizes, just email marketing@momentopro.com.au with your request.

Judges (from L to R) Damian Caniglia, Anne Russell and David Symons reviewing the entries in the Portfolio category.	Now in its sixth year, the Australian Photographic Society’s annual Photo Book Awards 2021 attracted a total of 20 entries. While the number of submissions was down on last year (impacted by the extended lockdowns in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory) the quality of entries was once again very high. Congratulations to the six winners across the Storytelling and Portfolio categories – Judy Parker, Ingrid Hendriksen, Hemant Kogelar, Amanda Luker, Deborah Forbes and Ian Skinner – who share prizes of $500 cash from the APS Print Group and $1500 in photo book vouchers from Momento Pro. The Awards attracted entries from APS and camera club members across Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. A wide variety of photographic genres and subjects were represented including aerial, creative and littoral landscapes, wildlife and environmental impacts, photojournalism and reportage, human interest, still life graphic, contemporary street photography and photo-travel.

Judging took place on 17 October at the ‘Art at Heart’ studio in Bellbowrie. Anne Russell (Photographic Society of Queensland accredited judge and photography educator), Damian Caniglia (professional photographer and videographer) and David Symons (award-winning photographer, photo book creator and collector) reviewed the books physically on site. The judges separately assessed and rated each book in turn. After the judges’ individual scores were collated they came together to discuss and agree final rankings in both categories. The judges awarded the prize-winning books for their excellence and fitness for purpose in photography, sequencing of images, design, layout and typography. The Storytelling category winners also showed an originality in concept and design, and an engaging visual narrative. The judges’ rationale for selecting each of the prize-winning entries is outlined below. All contestants were provided with written feedback on their entries, the judges providing positive comments highlighting the strengths of each submission as well as constructive suggestions where appropriate.
PORTFOLIO WINNERS
	‘Afterthoughts’ by Judy Parker APS Member Canberra Photographic Society Canberra Photoconnect Prizes: $150 cash and $350 Momento Pro voucher View book: https://youtu.be/dMJk-0L4A4Y This book was the unanimous winner of the Portfolio section. The judges noted ‘a stunning body of work with consistent post-production.’ They also commented on the book’s ‘excellent design, layout and use of text to support images which form a beautifully presented, cohesive package. A great concept complemented by well thought out design, paper stock, font and format.’

	‘Aerial Art’ by Ingrid Hendriksen APS Member Prizes: $75 cash and $250 Momento Pro voucher View book: https://youtu.be/iLZEgwnjJY8 The judges awarded ‘Aerial Art’ for its wonderful natural landscapes, presented as cohesive abstracts. They commented on the beautiful images and good choice of paper stock. Overall, it was seen to be ‘a fantastic body of work’.

	‘Imagined Places’ by Hemant Kogekar Northside Creative Camera Club Prizes: $25 cash, $100 Momento Pro voucher View book: https://youtu.be/XNqhBEBY0gA Hemant created ‘Imagined Places’ as a lockdown project using parts of images from earlier travel, together with everyday objects from suburban life. The judges commented that each of the images in the photobook would be ‘amazing as a piece of art presented in a gallery’. They commented on the strong creative idea and good continuity of themes throughout.

STORYTELLING WINNERS

	‘Wings on Water’ by Amanda Luker APS Member Edwardstown Photography Club Prize: $150 cash and $350 Momento Pro voucher View book: https://youtu.be/EprL7T0CRIg In ‘Wings on Water’ Amanda uses free verse to tell the story of grey-headed flying foxes displaced by climate change and now roosting in Adelaide parklands. The judges commented on the excellent photography throughout, with beautiful images of the flying foxes and effective use of poetry and images to tell the story of their plight.

	‘Moments on the Waters Edge’ by Deborah Forbes APS Member Fine Art Photography Association Prize: $75 cash and $250 Momento Pro voucher View book: https://youtu.be/6hp3t0uESXg In this book, Deborah reflects on happy times spent by the beach with her ageing mother. The judges commented that this was ‘a great idea well executed. Production and placement of images on pages is excellent. Images and story are well connected. A very personal work that succeeds well with its aims. The style of photos fits the subject matter very well’.

	‘Aftermath: Cadgee 2020’ by Ian Skinner APS Member Prize: $25 cash and $100 Momento Pro voucher View book: https://youtu.be/CUZ0UwO0gBc ‘Aftermath: Cadgee 2020’ is a story of heartbreak and loss in the devastating bushfires which swept through the NSW South Coast hinterland in the summer of 2019–2020. The judges praised the ‘excellent choice in book size, paper stock, design and layout, text/font. Great presentation of story and images.’

PSQ acredited judges Warren Vievers and Sue Gordon judge the 2020 APS photo book competition.		The fifth edition of the Australian Photographic Society’s Photobook Competition received a record breaking 37 entries from 13 camera clubs. Congratulations to the six winners across the Storytelling and Portfolio categories - Lou Gilbert, Helen McFadden, Brian Rope, Lesley Bretherton, Paul Balfe and Anne Pappalardo - who share prizes of $500 cash from the APS Print Group and $1400 in photo book vouchers from Momento Pro. The competition attracted 18 entries in the Storytelling category, and 19 in the Portfolio category, from 20 female entrants and 11 males entrants, from camera clubs across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. They presented a diversity of photographic genres and subjects including landscape, portrait, travel, nature, architectural, street and fine art nude photography. Most entries were hardcover books in landscape format with printed covers, featuring lay-flat paper or binding.

Yvonne Hill, outgoing Competition Coordinator turns the pages of one of the competition entries for the digital judging by Momento Pro’s Libby Jeffrey (on the laptop screen)		Major thanks go to outgoing competition coordinator Yvonne Hill, and incoming coordinator Anne Pappalardo, who this year introduced the Storytelling and Portfolio categories, negotiated more prizes of greater value, and adapted the judging process to meet COVID requirements. Judging took place on 22 August at the Art at Heart studio in Bellbowrie. Sue Gordon (President of the Photographic Society of Queensland) and Warren Vievers (accredited judge for the Photographic Society of Queensland) reviewed the books physically, while Libby Jeffery (co-founder at Momento Pro) Zoomed in from NSW. To allow Libby to judge remotely, the coordinators presented each book to multiple video cameras, describing their physical characteristics, reading out essential text, and flicking through every page.

Judge Warren Vievers		After five hours of review, the judges’ scores were analysed and the six winners were confirmed. The judges awarded the following books for their excellence and fitness for purpose in photography, sequencing of images, design, layout and typography. The Storytelling category winners also showed an originality in concept and design, and an engaging visual narrative. The judges’ rationale for selecting each book is outlined below. With five years of coordinating the competition under her belt, Yvonne Hill confirmed that, "the standard of winning entries continues to improve year after year and 2020’s entries were no exception.” Libby Jeffery stated that, “all the winning books showed an appreciation for white space, symmetry and consistent alignment, and many of the books made good use of text and extra graphics to enhance the story behind the photos. We hope the process of reviewing, editing and sequencing photos into a book layout helped the entrants develop new skills, and inspired them to work on more creative photo series or projects in the future.”

PORTFOLIO WINNERS
Hokkaido Winter 2020		Hokkaido Winter 2020 by Lesley Bretherton of Melbourne Camera Club Prizes: $150 cash and $350 Momento Pro voucher Watch a video of the book https://youtu.be/NI877C5YLdE This book was the unanimous winner, due to its immaculate landscape photographs that were poetically paired with a haiku. The font style and colour blend beautifully with the tone of the photography, while the placement of a Location Index at the back of the book is in keeping with the book’s minimalist nature. Hokkaido Winter 2020 is a visual meditation.

Brian Rope with ‘Liked’		Liked by Brian Rope of Canberra Photographic Society and Canberra PhotoConnect Prizes: $75 cash and $250 Momento Pro voucher Watch a video of the book https://youtu.be/cnU2bqeRyQ4 Liked presented an engaging series of abstract black and white images and it made us laugh. The image selection was unique and contemporary, as only photos that received a ‘Like’ from a photography peer were chosen. Including the social post text and comments, in the Facebook font, also added to the context and humour. It’s a great creative collaboration.

Anne Pappalardo with “Amsterdam Rush Hour”		Amsterdam Rush Hour by Anne Pappalardo of Queensland Camera Group Prizes: $25 cash, $100 Momento Pro voucher Watch a video of the book https://youtu.be/nvr2hQ64kIs Amsterdam Rush Hour is a well-edited and beautifully sequenced series of photographs of the city’s bike riders. The technically excellent images have been strategically paired and placed on the pages to play on and enhance the concept of motion, and the choice of a matte white stock and black end pages was a perfect match for the monotone imagery.

STORYTELLING WINNERS

Lou Gilbert with “I”m not here any more”		I’m not me any more by Lou Gilbert of Brisbane Camera Group Prize: $150 cash and $350 Momento Pro voucher Watch a video of the book https://youtu.be/94hC7VvXSNE Despite its intimate size, this book packs a powerful emotional punch. The portraits of an elderly woman woven in with her comments on moving into a nursing home, are confronting. The grey cover, the addition of deliberately blurred images, and their random placement on the page, all tragically reflect the status of her Alzheimer's affected mind

Helen McFadden with “If I had my life over I’d pick more daisies”		If I Had My Life Over I'd Pick More Daisies by Helen McFadden of Canberra Photo Connect Prize: $75 cash and $250 Momento Pro voucher Watch a video of the book https://youtu.be/z4K0xCqoxkc Helen has brought together all her creative skills in this beautifully edited and formatted photo book. In addition to the excellent photography and fine art photo editing, she enhanced the photographs with botanical illustrations, painting and poetry, making full use of the book format to create her memoir in flowers from 30 years in floral art.

Paul Balfe with “The Music of The Spheres”		The Music of the Spheres by Paul Balfe of Redlands Camera Club Prize: $25 cash and $100 Momento Pro voucher Watch a video of the book https://youtu.be/22wtzVT9TSo Not only are the photographs of moving light sources skilful and fascinating, but the text, font and layout of the book are perfectly aligned with its purpose. The design is clean and consistent, the use of headings and captions makes it feel like a scientific document, while the organic motif used throughout the pages, reflects the concept of movement too.

MomentoPro Book Comp - Winners announced 2021

Six winning entries from the 2021 APS Photobook Competition

PORTFOLIO WINNERS

STORYTELLING WINNERS

Photo Book Awards

Presented by APS Print Group and;

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Total PRIZE POOL $2,000 INCLUDING

$1,500 in MOMENTO PRO VOUCHERS

A Cash pool of $500

PROVIDED BY APS PRINT GROUP

Category Definitions

Portfolio

Storytelling

Notes

About Momento Pro

MomentoPro Book Comp - Winners 2020

Six winning entries from the 2020 APS Photobook Competition

PORTFOLIO WINNERS

STORYTELLING WINNERS

Valerie Jardin - France/USA

Street Photography: First Steps & Beyond

Charli Savage - Australia

Strangeworld

Libby Jeffery - Australia

Create a Successful Photo Book

Greg Sullavan

The Secrets of Outrageous Landscape Photography

Johan Botha - South Africa

Wildlife Photography my Way: Musts, Myths and Tips

Conditions of Entry

MomentoPro Book Comp - Winners announced 2021

Six winning entries from the 2021 APS Photobook Competition

PORTFOLIO WINNERS

STORYTELLING WINNERS

Photo Book Awards

Presented by APS Print Group and;

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Total PRIZE POOL $2,000 INCLUDING

$1,500 in MOMENTO PRO VOUCHERS

A Cash pool of $500PROVIDED BY APS PRINT GROUP

Category Definitions

Portfolio

Storytelling

Notes

About Momento Pro

MomentoPro Book Comp - Winners 2020

Six winning entries from the 2020 APS Photobook Competition

PORTFOLIO WINNERS

STORYTELLING WINNERS

Contact Details

A Cash pool of $500

PROVIDED BY APS PRINT GROUP