How to join KLM: ON ASSIGNMENT 2012 - Toulouse, France

Last year, 2011 KLM sponsored what probably became the most discussed photo contest of the year, ON ASSIGNMENT: Holland. In cooperation with the Lonely Planet magazine and DPP, over 100 serious photographers submitted their best travel portfolios along with their creative reason, or "pitch", as to why they should be chosen to go to Holland and photograph for the Lonely Planet. In the end, six finalists were selected. The contest wasn't over for the Final Six.  

They had to endure a photo shootout in Intramuros for two days. 

From the six, two photographers were selected to go, Christian Sangoyo and Joel H. Garcia. 

KLM: On Assignment - Toulouse, France 

Now for the specifics of this unique contest.

Last year KLM sent two photographers. This year three people are going to travel--Two Photographers and One Travel Writer. This contest will determine which photographers and which writer will go. 

The Assignment: 

For the Writer: Travel to Toulouse and write a special article for the Lonely Planet magazine. Your article should describe the city, the culture, the food, and the general experience in the South of France in one of the most beautiful cities in France.

For the Photographers: Travel with the writer to Toulouse and collaborate to determine the best photos for the Lonely Planet article. 

Pre Requisites:
a. You must have a valid passport for travel during the end of September 2012.
b. You must be able to be away for at least one week.
c. You must be in decent physical shape.
d. You must have the proper gear if you are a photographer.
e. Ideally you know how to drive.

Who can Join? 

Anyone, for both photographers and writers. You need not be a professional. 
You must be at least 18 years old or above at the time of travel.

The Contest

For Writers: You will be tasked to write an article entitled "Rediscover Manila". The article should be 1,500-2,000 words in length. The definition of Manila is Greater Manila and not just Manila city. Your article should a) make a Manileno discover their city once again and make a foreigner want to visit Manila. Tell us something we don't know about. Tell us what makes this city thrive. Tell us something that was once lost and now is found again. Use your imagination. Make the reader want to go out and either discover or rediscover this city.

From all the submissions, we will select the Top 6 best articles and rank them. The author of the best article will go on the trip. 2nd to 6th place will serve as alternates. 

The winning "Rediscover Manila" piece will be published in the Lonely Planet magazine also. 

For Photographers: You will submit to us a portfolio of ten (10) images-- two (2) images per category. The Toulouse assignment will test your skill over several genres of photography. We need to know that you are qualified to shoot for the Lonely Planet. Do not think you have to be a professional to enter this. 

Winning photographers will be chosen for creativity, interpretation, and diversity. Do not send in any Black and White images because they are rarely used in the Lonely Planet. The Portfolio component comprises 70% of your score. 

The Categories where you need to submit two (2) images each are:
1. Portraits
2. Landscape
3. Culture
4. Architecture
5. Food

But you still need to tell us why you have to get on this trip. Along with your portfolio, you will need to submit your "Pitch" and tell KLM why you should be selected for this trip. You can be creative as you want or as simple as you want. Last year, some simple but very sincere pitches got high points. Some creative pitches didn't. Its the message that you want to get across that really counts here. The Pitch component comprises 30% of your score.  

My winning "Pitch"

Semi-Finals and Finals

Photographers aren't off that easy. Six (6) photographers will be selected from the process as semi finalists. These six will have to go through a shootout to determine the Top-2 photographers to be awarded the Assignment.  

The Shootout is simple: You will be given a copy of the article "Rediscover Manila" from the winning writer. You will be given 7 days to produce fifteen (15) images interpreting the article. The two photographers who interpret and photograph for the article properly go On Assignment. The remaining four serve as alternates. 

Other Prizes

Sony Philippines has confirmed their sponsorship. We will see if we can get the NEX cameras for the winning two photographers and travel writer. Confirmation to come soon.

We are also working on other minor sponsors for the event and will announce the prizes shortly. 

Rights of Work

So we are clear with everything, the photographers and writers own the rights to their work. However, by joining going on the trip, you have agreed that your article and photographs may be used in a future Lonely Planet travel piece. For photographers you will also be featured in an exclusive DPP article exploring the challenges you had shooting On Assignment. You must also agree that your words and photographs may be re-printed by KLM or LP as long as it stays in the same article form.  

Deadline

You have up to 12:00 noon, Friday, August 24, 2012 to submit your article or photography portfolio. 

How to Submit

Photographers, you can post your portfolios like last year on this DPP Forum so that everyone can get excited and comment about the work. After posting online you should also email us your pitch and portfolio to:lonelyplanet@bellaluce.com.ph 

Writers should send their articles to the same email.

We are also setting up a special webpage for the On Assignment. It is not yet up but will be by July 14. The address is: onassignment.ph 

We will put all articles and portfolios in a neat format on this website for easy review. 

Closing
Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to travel to the south of France on an all-expense-paid photography ON ASSIGNMENT for the Lonely Planet sponsored by our favorite European airline, KLM. 

This contest is open for everyone.

And if you are a stud who can write and take photos, you can up your chances by submitting in both categories. 

A big thanks goes out to KLM. There is no other photo contest in the country that tests and rewards yours skills as this one. 

For more details visit: http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph