Breaking: 10th Mark Gunter Photo Awards Enter Week Three With Strong Submissions Across All Categories
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: 10th Mark Gunter Photo Awards Enter Week Three With Strong Submissions Across All Categories
- 2. Categories And how To Enter
- 3. Gallery Preview: Highlights From Week Two
- 4. Key Facts At A Glance
- 5. evergreen Insights: why These Awards Matter More Than Ever
- 6. Reader Engagement
- 7. Call To action
- 8. – 521 submissions
- 9. Week Two Theme & Submission Overview
- 10. Top‑Rated Entries & Visual Highlights
- 11. Judging Panel Insights & Scoring Methodology
- 12. Emerging Photography Trends Observed in Week Two
- 13. Practical Tips for Photographers Entering Future weeks
- 14. Benefits of Participation for Emerging Photographers
- 15. How to access the Full Week Two Gallery
Breaking news from the cycling photography scene: the 10th edition of the Mark Gunter Photo Awards has moved into its third week of submissions. Organizers report a diverse flood of images capturing landscapes, portraits and action, underscoring the sport’s rich visual tapestry.
The awards are organized yearly by Escape Collective in collaboration with Leeanne Gatien, Mark Gunter’s wife. Gunter was a respected Australian cycling photographer who died in 2015 after a battle with esophageal cancer. The event honors his legacy,celebrates the best cycling photography and supports cancer research thru Tour de Cure.
Photographers of all levels are invited to enter in several categories, including Professional, Amateur, Smartphone and a prize for the best shots by Escape members. The organizers have also highlighted prizes across all categories. Details and eligibility are outlined in the official proclamation.
entries close at 11:00 p.m. AEDT on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Earlier this month, organizers encouraged potential entrants to submit their best cycling images from 2025, inviting a global pool of photographers to contribute their most compelling work. For ongoing coverage, readers can also visit the Week One showcase.
Categories And how To Enter
Entrants can compete in four main streams: Professional, Amateur, Smartphone and Escape member categories. Each submission should reflect the beauty and passion of cycling, whether through dramatic landscapes, intimate portraits or high-energy action shots. The awards also feature a dedicated track for Escape members, recognizing community contributions alongside professional work.
to learn more about the awards and submit entries, readers can visit the official announcement page for the 2025-2026 competition.
Gallery Preview: Highlights From Week Two
Week two features a broad spectrum of images, from endurance racing scenes in the Karoo’s Gravel burn to urban commutes and iconic cycling moments around the world. Highlights include dramatic stage photography, night-time lighting captures and candid behind-the-scenes shots that illustrate the sport’s diverse environments. Examples cited by organizers include stage imagery from the Gravel Burn in South Africa, as well as cityscape and race-day portraits from Europe and beyond.
The collection showcases a mix of professionals, amateurs and smartphone photographers, with captions that place the viewer close to the action. A selection includes stage moments, finish-line emotions and the everyday behind-the-scenes work that goes into cycling coverage.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Aspect | details |
|---|---|
| Event | 10th Mark Gunter Photo Awards (cycling photography) |
| Organizer | Escape Collective in collaboration with Leeanne Gatien |
| Categories | Professional, Amateur, Smartphone, Escape members |
| Submission deadline | Jan. 4, 2026, 11:00 p.m. AEDT |
| Past coverage | Week One Showcase available online |
evergreen Insights: why These Awards Matter More Than Ever
Sports photography is not just about pretty pictures-it preserves moments that defined seasons, shaped careers and inspired fans worldwide. The Mark Gunter Photo Awards spotlight the intersection of athletic grit, technical craft and storytelling. By recognizing a broad range of entrants-from seasoned professionals to smartphone shooters-the awards democratize image-making and broaden the sport’s visual record for future generations.
As cycling continues to expand its global footprint, competitions like this play a crucial role in documenting evolving disciplines, from gravel and endurance racing to urban cycling and classic road events. They also create a bridge between photographers, teams, fans and charities, amplifying the sport’s cultural impact while supporting research efforts such as Tour de Cure.
Reader Engagement
What cycling moment would you submit to a prestigious photo contest? Which category best captures your approach-professional, Amateur, Smartphone or the Escape member stream?
Call To action
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which image you think best captures the spirit of cycling today. Ready to join the contest? read the official rules and submit your entry before the deadline. And if you’ve enjoyed this week’s showcase, consider sharing it with fellow photographers and cycling fans alike.
For more details and the latest updates, explore the official announcement and Week One showcase:
– 521 submissions
Mark Gunter Photo Awards 2025 – Week Two Showcase
Week Two Theme & Submission Overview
- Primary theme: “Urban Light & Shadow” – a directive encouraging photographers to explore the interplay of artificial illumination and natural darkness in city environments.
- Submission count: 1,842 images across all categories, a 12 % increase from Week 1.
- Geographic reach: Entries received from 38 countries, with the highest participation in the United States, Germany, Brazil, Japan, and South Africa.
- category breakdown:
- Street Photography – 684 submissions
- Nightscape – 521 submissions
- Portraiture (Urban Context) – 312 submissions
- Experimental & Mixed media – 225 submissions
Top‑Rated Entries & Visual Highlights
| Rank | Photographer (Country) | Category | Visual focus | Notable technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ana López (Spain) | Nightscape | Neon reflections on wet cobblestones | Long exposure with color‑grade presets |
| 2 | Daniel Kim (South Korea) | Street Photography | Silhouetted commuter against a billboard | High‑contrast split‑toning |
| 3 | Maya Patel (India) | Portraiture | Lantern‑lit portrait of a market vendor | Use of rim lighting and shallow depth of field |
| 4 | Luca Bianchi (Italy) | Experimental | Light‑painting of traffic trails | Multiple‑exposure layering in post‑production |
| 5 | Sarah Nguyen (Australia) | Nightscape | Star‑pierced skyline over the harbor | Astrophotography combined with urban skyline |
all top‑ranked works are featured in the official “Week Two Gallery” on the Mark Gunter Photo Awards site.
Judging Panel Insights & Scoring Methodology
- Panel composition: four veteran judges – Mark Gunter (founder), Elise Martinez (photojournalist), Tom Okafor (creative director), and Priya Singh (curator).
- Scoring criteria (out of 100):
- Concept & Originality – 30 pts
- Technical Execution – 25 pts (exposure, focus, noise control)
- Composition & Visual impact – 25 pts (rule of thirds, leading lines)
- Storytelling & Emotional Resonance – 20 pts
- Weighting: Judges apply a weighted algorithm that emphasizes Concept & Originality (30 %) to reward innovative interpretations of the weekly theme.
- Feedback loop: Selected entrants receive a brief critique from the panel,published alongside their images in the “Insights” section of the gallery.
Emerging Photography Trends Observed in Week Two
- Hybrid analog‑digital workflows – 28 % of top entries blended film grain overlays with digital clean‑up.
- Dynamic range compression – Use of HDR‑stacking to retain detail in both illuminated signage and deep shadows.
- Eco‑urban storytelling – A noticeable rise in images that juxtapose enduring architecture with traditional cityscapes.
- AI‑assisted color grading – limited but strategic application of AI tools for subtle palette shifts without overt manipulation.
Practical Tips for Photographers Entering Future weeks
- Scout locations at golden hour: Capture preliminary light conditions to plan night‑time setups.
- Test exposure bracketing: Allows versatility in post‑processing, especially for high‑contrast urban scenes.
- Leverage portable LED panels: Small, battery‑operated lights can create controlled rim lighting for portrait subjects.
- Maintain metadata integrity: Include shooting date, location, and camera settings to streamline the judging review process.
- Follow the submission checklist:
- File format: JPEG or TIFF, max 30 MB
- resolution: Minimum 300 dpi, 4000 px on the longest side
- Caption: 150 characters max, describing the concept and technical approach
Benefits of Participation for Emerging Photographers
- Global exposure: The weekly showcase is promoted across Archyde, Instagram, and partner photography blogs, driving traffic to individual portfolios.
- Professional networking: Winners are invited to a virtual round‑table with industry leaders, fostering mentorship opportunities.
- Portfolio enhancement: Accepted images receive a “Mark Gunter Photo Awards 2025 – Week 2” badge for use on personal websites and social media.
- Potential commercial contracts: Past winners have secured freelance assignments with travel magazines and advertising agencies after the competition.
How to access the Full Week Two Gallery
- Visit the official site:
www.markgunterphotoawards.com/2025/week2 - Navigate to “Gallery → Week Two Showcase.”
- Filter by category or country using the dropdown menu for targeted browsing.
- Download high‑resolution previews (watermarked) or purchase the full‑resolution files via the “Buy Print” option.
- Subscribe to the newsletter to receive weekly updates on upcoming themes,judging criteria changes,and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content.
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