Go on a travel photography assignment to Nepal!
Applications for this scholarship are now closed and the winner has been announced.
Aspiring travel photographers, this is your opportunity to be mentored by a professional photographer on assignment in Nepal!
From the snow-capped slopes of the Himalayas to the colorful local festivals, Nepal is a photographer’s dream destination. Despite the earthquakes that recently shook the region, the trails are still open and the people as welcoming as ever.
This is your chance to capture the beauty of this stunning country and the resilient spirit of its people. Under the mentorship of Richard I'Anson, you’ll document the stories that no one else is telling along with the community development projects that are rebuilding both local livelihoods and tourism in Nepal.
All these prizes could be yours:
All-expenses-paid-travel
A 10-day all-expenses-paid trip to Nepal with Intrepid Travel.
Free flights
Round-trip airfare from your country of residence to Kathmandu, Nepal.
Insights
Insight into how Nepal is being rebuilt through the Australian Himalayan Foundation.
Learn from a pro
Professional mentorship from travel photographer Richard I'Anson.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance for the duration of the trip from World Nomads.
Adventure gear
Plus be outfitted for the assignment with gear from Kathmandu.
The 4 Runners Up will receive:
A FREE 45-min portfolio review from Richard I'Anson (valued at $800 AUD)
The 25 shortlisted entrants will receive:
The option of a 45-min portfolio review from Richard I'Anson (special rate of $400 AUD)
The Assignment
On the trip you will work alongside Richard I'Anson photographing the vibrant people and breath-taking landscapes of Nepal.
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 globe-trotting as an award-winning travel photographer.
Your assignment will involve observing and assisting Richard 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 a one of the world’s leading travel photographers!
You will also post photos from your assignment to Instagram or Twitter on a daily basis so that we can follow your adventures.
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 journal about your time on the trip and upload this to a World Nomads travel journal (minimum 200 words per day), including pictures you've taken.
On your return you will work with Richard I'Anson through the editorial process to shortlist your top photographs and colour balance to achieve professional looking shots.
Who can apply?
- Any non-professional can apply - this is open photography students or keen amateurs/pro-amateurs looking build a career in travel photography.
- The scholarship is open to all nationalities (subject to obtaining a visa to enter Nepal); however, you must have an exceptionally high degree of proficiency in written English.
- Minimum age 18 by the application deadline (November 25, 2015)
- You must have a current, valid passport and you must be available as per the dates set out. Please note these dates are not changeable in any way.
- You must be fit and healthy as moderate levels of physical work are involved as well as a number of late nights!
- 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.
How do I apply?
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Shoot your photo story (maximum of 5 images).
Your images must tell a story about a place you have visited. 'Place' may be anywhere; somewhere in your own community or much further away. Each of the 5 shots must have accompanying caption text (1-2 sentences) to help contextualize the shot.
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Craft a 1500-character essay telling us what winning this scholarship would mean to you and why we should choose you.
Your written essay 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.
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Complete the application form including your personal details along with uploading your photos.
Note:
Strictly one entry per person.
NOTE: Once you apply, you will not be able to go back and edit your application, so please make sure you are completely satisfied with your essay before you hit the submit button.
Important dates
What are the Judges looking for?
This is your chance to showcase your photography talents and unique perspective. The aim of the scholarship is the give the winner a foot in the door to the travel photography industry, so you’ll need to convince us that you are the best person to send.
Your photo essay should showcase your:
- Originality
- Ability to convey a story through photos (and their captions)
- Excellent technique
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).
Looking for inspiration?
Check out some of our past winners:
FAQ
We've listed the top question here. Still have more questions? Check our FAQ page.
- Am I considered a professional photographer?
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 ANY 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.
- Do photos need to be taken with somewhat professional-grade camera equipment?
Camera equipment does not matter at all! Submit what you think works best as it's all about the image! Have a look at the winning photographs of our previous photography scholarships and see how your photos compare.
- What will I have to produce from my trip?
You will work through a specific shot list of 100 photos that will be commissioned by the scholarship partners as part of your assignment. On your return you will work with Richard I'Anson through the editorial process to shortlist your top photographs and color balance to achieve professional looking shots.
You will also keep a daily diary about your time on the trip and upload this plus pictures you've taken to your World Nomads travel journal.