Those words make me smile with pride. I am honoured to be chosen to judge the @NZIPP annual print competition the #irisawards2021.

The Iris awards are NZ largest photographic competition with over 2000 entries every year and to be asked to judge is a very esteemed privilege.

This year they start on July 26th in Nelson, and I'll be taking you along for the ride. So follow us to find out all about this incredible event.

WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR
Being a category finalist, category winner, or winning Professional Photographer of the Year is certainly an achievement.
Selection of the winners is carried out in a closed forum, by a panel of five judges who will be looking for:
• Consistent mastery of technical and aesthetic control;
• Innovation and creativity; originality; diversity; strength of communication, emotion and/or concept.

FINALISTS & WINNERS
Finalist judging takes place in a closed forum, by a panel of five judges. Judges have the opportunity to discuss each finalist folio presented, before ranking them and identifying their top entry.
» In-Camera and Open categories – the top three-highest scoring entries from the top three (or more where entrants are tied) highest aggregate entrants within the category;
» Student Category – the top two highest-scoring entries from the top three highest aggregate entrants within the
category;
» NZ Photographer of the Year – the six highest-scoring entries from the three NZ entrants with the highest overall aggregate scores across all categories, except the Student Category;
» International Photographer of the Year – the four highest-scoring entries from the top three highest aggregate international entrants, across all categories,
All winners are determined by a majority decision. Once a decision has been reached it is final.