Pinkbike Photo of the Year - Round 3 Results

Nov 28, 2011
by Karl Burkat  

Round three is over for the Pinkbike Photo of the Year contest. Things are getting heated with each photographer just having won themselves a Marzocchi 66RC3 Evo Ti and an F-stop Guru bag with ICU. That's about $1500 bucks each. With four photos left vying for the Specialized Demo, the debate over the photos is sure to get serious. But you pick the winner, go to voting page and decide on your favorite shot.






Matchup #1

Winner 50.3%

49.7%

Judges' Feedback
We see many 'roost' shots, but this one takes the cake for having the most creative angle. Having the dirt at the top of the lip in focus and the spray closer to the camera out of focus creates a beautiful layering effect. Staying low to the ground, capturing the sick scrub by the rider tied everything together.






Matchup #2

29%

Winner 71%

Judges' Feedback
I like the mood and feel of this shot. I can feel the day. We've all been there--the cold misty day where you shiver on the ride up and shred the ride down. This shot doesn't have sick action, but it oozes soul. Compositionally, all the elements are there: some diagonals, good use of negative space, and moody lighting.





Matchup #3

41.9%

Winner 58.1%

Judges' Feedback
Shooting POV photos is pretty easy now that we have dedicated POV cameras, but it takes a little extra effort to do it properly with a full size DSLR. Justin Olson does it properly here, hanging his Canon 5DmkII on Andrew Taylor's chest to get this epic shot of Ryan Howard. Not only is the quality on this shot great, but the timing is pretty bang on as well. This is the kind of shot that takes a few attempts to get right, you have no idea what you've shot until afterwards, and these guys killed it. Great work!





Matchup #4

Winner 63.4%

Winner 36.6%

Judges' Feedback
We don't need to waste your time with words for this image. Simply sit back and look in and live it.



Vote Round 4 Here



What's at stake? $20,000+ in prizes!
Round of 32 - All 32 receive a pair of SPY Sunglasses (MSRP $120 each)
Round of 16 - All 16 receive two pairs of Tioga Psycho Genius tires (MSRP $200 for two pairs)
Round of 8 - All 8 receive a set of Black Race Face Atlas cranks (MSRP $339.99 each)
Round of 4 - All 4 receive a Marzocchi 66RC3 Evo Ti (MSRP $1199.00 each) and an F-stop Guru bag with ICU (MSRP $245 each)
Winner - Receives a Complete 2012 Specialized Demo (MSRP $6600) and ANY F-stop bag plus 2 ICU's plus a Dakota accessory kit (MSRP $500)

Thanks to Specialized, Marzocchi, Race Face, Tioga, F-Stop Gear and Spy

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145 Comments
  • 51 15
 I personally did not like either picture in the first matchup for this next round... I mean come on. This is Picture of the YEAR! That roost shot is a cool idea but I will not be too happy if it wins. And that lift shot, its also a cool photo but there's not even riding in it. There are a lot more photos out there. I'm excited to see what goes through. I love the sunset shot!
  • 24 40
flag mtnbker395 (Nov 28, 2011 at 20:53) (Below Threshold)
 I swear to god, if the winner of #2 wins....
  • 11 32
flag suicidedownhiller (Nov 28, 2011 at 20:55) (Below Threshold)
 Exactly, they needed to stop putting those 2 pictures up against other crappy pictures.
  • 26 3
 I personally like that scrub cam shot. I haven't seen many original shots like that floating around.
  • 62 9
 Why do you guys not like the lift shot, to me it's the essence of riding, dreaming of the perfect day for the ride I a lifetime. To me the picture shows the reason we all ride!!!
  • 34 18
 theyre all good pics but i really dont think that the photo of the year should be shot from a chest mount
  • 28 12
 Full proof of the illegitimacy of Pinkbike users. The worst pics somehow made it through because people are just voting for the coolest riding and not considering what really goes in to a great photo. The only real "art" left is the chairlift shot and it should win because it is something more than just a rider doing something cool. It tells a dramatic story and is great work by the photographer. I am very disappointed in this but loved the idea before the competition began.
  • 24 15
 are you kidding me with match up number 3? what the f*ck happened there! that canon chest cam shot was all luck. Defiantly not worth photo of the year.
  • 8 1
 @No-ah Like I said below, it's been featured everywhere on the net on pro photo sites. They probably have a clue.
gizmodo.com/justinolsen
www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/11/justin-olsen-uses-chest-mounted-dslr-incredible-mountain-bike-photos
www.petapixel.com/2011/11/17/mountain-biking-photos-captured-with-a-chest-mounted-dslr
  • 6 1
 There is so much hate!!!! Look! Just because you don't like the pic doesn't mean everyone else doesn't! #3...possibly luck, is just so dope! POV pics are pretty amazing imo
  • 4 1
 @bikerguy222 I LOVE that roost shot, I think that 3D'ness caused by the flying dirt is spectacular and I would be pleased if it got POY!
  • 7 0
 In the end, this whole thing is down to what gets your mountain bike juices flowing. Dreaming of that ride up the chair lift with your friends, splashing through the mud and even though its a foggy miserable day your out riding your bike, having the time of your life. On the other hand, you could love what makes you stoke to ride. Imagine being behind your buddy as hes busting out a sick flatty just feet in front of you, that can get you pretty damn stoked to ride. For me personally, there's more about biking than just the riding. Every race, every sesh, every solo ride out in the middle of nowhere where its just you, your bike and that endless single track. There's a story to be told every time you leave the house, or get up that lift, or nail that ridge line one last time on the way down just before it gets dark. I hope that #2 or #4 wins, i know i can relate to that foggy day up the lift with my friends, or ripping a trail one last time before the end of the day, those days are why i ride.
  • 4 2
 There is only one photo left that I have voted for since round 1. The Chair Lift should be POY, but I would be happy with Gobi.
  • 4 0
 think the winner of 4 should win.
  • 8 0
 Jon Wellburn's Sunset shot is the only worthy winner of POY in my opinion.
  • 3 1
 #3
  • 3 5
 Seriously..."it tells a dramatic story"...it's a chairlift in less than average weather conditions, it's a nice pic but doesn't bring any photographic skills to the table. I can see this every so often there is nothing special about it. Having the "lucky" shot that no one has which throws you right in the middle of the trail and gives you the real riding experience that's where it's at! Stop wining about who should have won. Appreciate the fact that someone picked some of the best shots of the year for you to look at without searching through a whole lot of crap!
  • 1 0
 Winner of matchup 4 has it for sure.
  • 3 0
 I think the winner of #3 should go all the way! Such a sick POV, and amazing trick, makes me wanna go shred A-line!
  • 1 0
 p-romano, you put it exactly right.
  • 1 0
 if someone genuinely prefers something who's to tell them otherwise?
  • 3 1
 Honestly, I've seen sicker go pro pics taken than that DSLR. I understand it's all about timing and luck but so was the other shot. And the fact that they're above the clouds in the other shot just makes it that much sicker and creates an awesome background.
  • 1 0
 not even one ...
  • 5 1
 Matchup #3 took out my favorite pic. At least there's still one left that I like. If that POV picture wins I will lose faith in this community.
  • 2 2
 like i said last time, the pic of the lift is going all the way, its by far the best, i save that pic and set it as my desctop background and it is probably going to stay there for a long time.
  • 3 0
 Im thinking matchup #3 is going all the way
  • 2 4
 Matchup #3 is a joke....a lucky chest mount shot at popular resort versus a rider going off a large drop on a mountain, above the clouds, where if something goes wrong there's no atv to come rescue them.
  • 2 2
 lol, cause the camera man just walked all the up the hill and back down for fun. whistler is heaven. boo hoo to you sir.
  • 1 0
 strongly disagree with the roost shot winning match up #1. I personally also don't like the winner of match up #4 but i know most people will disagree with me on that one.
  • 2 0
 these matchups are what are making certain photos win.
  • 4 0
 Even if #3 is lucky its still a sick shot not a lot of shots like that out there its styled out too
  • 3 2
 #3 winner is the sickest photo ever! FTW!
  • 1 0
 this is just messed i only think one shoulda made it this far
  • 16 4
 The whistler chest cam one is alright, I really think the other one of the guy hitting the drop should have won though. Oh well, as long as the gobi desert shot wins I'm happy
  • 2 0
 Totally with you there, it's a good shot but not quite POY. There have been some gongshow results, but in the end there are four great pictures left, each telling a great story. The Claw in China should face off against the chairlift shot in the final, and win by a small margin, but its Pinkbike so anything could happen!
  • 3 1
 i agree, but i figure the chairlift shot should take the win
  • 1 0
 It doesn't have any riding in it, and as well done as it is the idea of the best picture of the while year not featuring a single person riding a bike just doesn't sit well with me.
  • 2 0
 That's fair enough, the difference of opinion is what is giving us these wildly varying results, not everyone looks at a photo the same way. In a way I agree with you too, which is why I would like to see Wellburns shot win also. But I do think the chair shot deserves to be up there. A chairlift on its own may not be an action packed image, but the lift is what leads us to the excitement, its the beginning of so many stories, conversations, new friends, and above all else, provides us with the almost limitless vertical access with no effort. Sure you can ride without one, but it is the life blood to some of the coolest riding on the planet. The guys involved in the chest cam shot most likely rode the lift to the top! anyway, we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
  • 1 0
 WOW thx bro Smile
  • 9 0
 The matchup voting was a bad idea and has failed in establishing the best photos overall.

Some of the absolute best photography was eliminated early on because it was matched up to other outstanding pictures. Both of which were clearly much stronger artistically than some of the other matches that were only paired because of similarities.

The pictures were never compared as a whole, and ranked accordingly, but only compared to one single other picture. This left great pictures getting the boot while mediocre (by this competition's standards) pics continued to higher rounds. This was really disappointing.

I feel bad for the photographer's who were eliminated early on because of this, only to see the top prizes going to worse photos simply because there were never compared against each other.

Would it not have been simpler and more objective to simply have Pinkbike voters cast their vote for their one favorite, and then used the percentage of votes to rank them? Then simply eliminate the lowest 16, 8, 4 etc.. until voters had only the top 2 pictures by vote count left to choose from?

Maybe next year. Good job to all the photographers! You are produced excellent pictures and captured the spirit of mtbing very well.
  • 16 6
 I don't agree with #3 so much...
  • 3 0
 Being featured in Gizmodo, Petapixel and Popphoto probably didn't hurt getting voters...
gizmodo.com/justinolsen
www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/11/justin-olsen-uses-chest-mounted-dslr-incredible-mountain-bike-photos
www.petapixel.com/2011/11/17/mountain-biking-photos-captured-with-a-chest-mounted-dslr
  • 2 5
 so lame
  • 5 0
 obviously #3 is terrible because it has one of the most fav's this year!
  • 3 2
 i get why people are voting for picture 3, its cool and all, but quite simply, it doesnt look good. putting all technical aspects aside, the picture of the year should look amazing, ....detail, colour (or black and white) and mood. pic 3 is just a cool shot, not an amazing picture.
  • 1 2
 Think as you will, I can't change your opinion but I think this photo of Rene is really well put together and is facial expression looking down. I dunno, I just find it very appealing.
  • 5 1
 The way I vote on this is based on one simple principle. Which one would I want blown up as a poster on my wall. That's why I really like the losers of both rounds 1 and 3. As for the winner of round 1. Cool pic, but I think the focus is a little off. And the POV one, cool idea, but we've all seen people jump bikes. I mean I see that every time I ride a trail
  • 4 2
 I vote on which one gets me more stoked to ride. Based on that principle, big air in a train from a riders perspective gets me way more stoked than sitting on a cold chairlift waiting to ride and scrubbing in the mud inches from your photog's expensive camera is a lot better than a step down with a massive run out in a random artsy location. I look at it from a riders prospective, if I was a photographer I would might look at it from the artsy side and choose the other two. Creativity and commitment have to go to that expensive camera on a chest mount either way though.
  • 2 0
 I do it the same way, thats why I love the winners of #2 and #4. I have a feeling those will be the final 2 and it will be a very difficult choice
  • 5 1
 I love the picture from matchup #3. Its been my desktop wallpaper since before the contest began and every time I look at it it makes me want to go hit the trails and get stylish on some jumps. Perhaps there are more artistic shots out there but for me the POV shot takes the cake.

If I had to pick another winner it would have to be the shot of the chairlift in the fog. There is something almost magical about that picture.
  • 3 0
 o·pin·ion - noun - a personal view, attitude, or appraisal.
Key word there is personal, meaning two things; one being that just because the result didn't go the way you voted doesn't mean that anyone is trying to tell you you're wrong, and secondly that if the result hasn't gone the way you voted, it doesn't make the competition format invalid or the voting community wrong or artistically immature or unappreciative. They're all sick shots, all the starters and all the remaining contestants. Your vote for the POY is sorta like saying thank you to the photographer (in my opinion).
  • 17 10
 Really happy with results of 1 and 3 but i still hate that chairlift shot
  • 6 5
 Shows how much peoples opinions differ. I f*cking love the chairlift shot, moreso than any of the others. Artistically its wayyy up there Big Grin
  • 2 5
 Indeed, I love the chairlift, but cant stand the POV shot, the drop looks way better. But its all in the eye of the beholder, its what makes it interesting!
  • 3 0
 @bunkey it looks cool and all but it has no rididng in it, and for that reason it shouldnt win POY.
  • 3 1
 I think the issue we have with the contest is differentiating between what is a 'rad shot' and what is a genuinely great photograph. As a contest to decide what should be the photo of the year I feel the entries should be more about the photography as an art form as opposed to what looks 'sick'. The chest-mount and roost shots are fucking dope to look at from a riding perspective but from a photography perspective, although I truly admire the creativity, the lighting is flat, the colours are bland and the composition isn't all there. If you weren't into biking and you walked into a gallery with those two shots I doubt they would strike you as prize-winning photography.
  • 3 3
 na 1 and 3 are wrong, the pictures that lost are much better. chairlift or the orange one ftw! Smile
  • 6 1
 Winning photo from matchup 2 got such a magic! I can even imagine that i'm thereSmile whole setting.. scent of fog, silence disrupted by squeaking chairlift..
  • 4 1
 If you ride actually ride a bike you would vote for 3, the photo makes me want to go ride. If your a hipster who rides a fixie and is sitting at the coolest most underground coffee shop right now and likes to talk about light, balance, fstop and deep v's then you need to find a diff photo comp to critique.
  • 4 1
 and I got so excited that we have moved beyond getting high and yelling "look what I can do mommy!" when lifecycles came out and pink bike supported it. But now I see the community hasn't matured at all.
  • 6 4
 Ya, rain neg props on me, but it's been killing me since round 1, so I gotta say it...

This is pinkBIKE, not pinkCHAIRLIFT. That chairlift shot is great don't get me wrong, but omg a foggy chairlift! That's what our sport is all about! Please. This photo should be a great shot photography wise, but this website is about biking. I want a picture that gets me hella stoked when I see it. Riding is important in this contest. It's a shame a lot of the great shots got eliminated already. Please #4, take it home. If that chairlift shot gets any farther, then I will be surprised and pissed. The biking photo of the year shouldn't be of a chairlift.
  • 3 0
 I donno I think as a rider photo 3 brings back memories and experiences of riding, the excitement and anticipation on the lift is a pretty awesome feeling. But I do see what you mean, I personally would give POY to the photo of Danny Hart, I thought that capture was high quality action, sick photographic skills and brought back sick memories of watching Champery on Freecaster Smile
  • 3 0
 Well half of those I chose. I am curious if maybe next time you should have a print size restriction say maybe 8" by 10". Angle on 3 is tripping me out. That last shot is straight epic!
  • 1 0
 I personally reckon that If the winner of matchup one had a rider like Brendon, Blenki, Cedric in full kit in the photo the capture would be way more appealing. I think it's an awesome shot with the sharp focus pointing my eyes to the roost. Maybe casual kit represents just chilling on local trails. But it would be interesting to see it with one of the top riders roosting the same thing.
  • 4 0
 The foggy picture on the chairlifts will take the win, banger shot but others were much more deserving :o
  • 2 0
 I personally would love to see the chairlift shot take the win. True theres no riding in it, but it goes to show that mountain bikers will bike in any condition, and just how dedicated to the sport we can be. I wouldn't mind biking in teh fog either, itd be a great experience.
  • 4 0
 Winner of #3, POV FTW! Such a sick shot and makes me want to ride A-LINE!
  • 4 0
 That A-Line shot will win. It's unique. Read up on how they got that shot, it's a great story.
  • 3 2
 "Vote for Justin Olson’s photo of the Gravity riders Ryan Howard and Andrew Taylor in the Pink Bike “Photo of the Year” contest and then tell us why you think this photo should win in the comment section of this page. The winning comment will receive a full Andrew Taylor Signature Parts Kit (Bars, Stem, Post)."

Who else saw this "ad" on the PB homepage?
You just lost my vote.... are you kidding me? What kind of a contest is soliciting votes by bribing with some sweet components?
  • 1 2
 Just saw it... super lame. There's no reason that photo should even be in this round.
  • 2 0
 Whoa.. I just saw that too. For the record I had nothing to do with that, it must be the guys at gravity. They are backing there riders (as they should) not me. Also for the record this, the only thing "lucky" about this shot is me being able enough to shoot with Ryan Howard.. I have never seen anyone throw that much style on a full DH bike! Thx for everyone who has voted!
  • 5 1
 Goes to show anything can happen. I didn't see this coming.
  • 4 0
 match up 2 & 3 winners!
  • 2 0
 The gobi desert shot is epic, fully photo of the year. Captures a once in a life time moment, not rehearsed. it took real ability and skill to catch that one. Sick buddy!
  • 4 0
 Wow, I knew #1 would be tight!
  • 9 5
 Just gonna say, the winner of Matchup #3 is taking it. tup
  • 4 4
 yaa buddy!
  • 4 1
 I'd like to see this same format used to crown the favorite DH or XC bike out there...
  • 3 0
 Or...an unrelated commentary of the year award. Which ironically has nothing to do with your comment. Check todays POD...
  • 5 1
 the 2 best photos are both from whistler XD
  • 1 0
 im not surprised at all, whistler always has sick shit!
  • 1 0
 whistler is amazing
  • 4 0
 Wow i agreed with all of those results.
  • 4 0
 winner, is #3, he has a full size camera strapped to his chest!
  • 5 0
 Really hope #3 wins
  • 3 0
 Next round winners will be the sunset and the chair lift, Who takes it???? Chair Lift wins Photo Of The YR!!!
  • 10 7
 the lift pic is going to win no doubt about it
  • 7 4
 It's got my vote!
  • 6 5
 not mine doesnt even involve riding
  • 5 3
 yea has my vote!! its sick. doesnt have ridinig but makes up for it because it gives me that feeling you get before you drop into a run just knowing your about to have a sick as fuck time!
  • 7 6
 personally the chairlift shot has my vote. its just such a great shot. the chest cam is terrible i can't see how that even made it this far.
  • 1 4
 Its not terrible, its probably one of the best pov shots I've ever seen. Its just not really as good or as interesting as the won it lost to
  • 2 3
 its a great shot but it definitely shouldn't win in my opinion
  • 2 0
 You got the judges opinions mixed up. Match up # 3 and #1 are mixed up I believe!
  • 2 0
 and I think the winner of #2 will take the cake (or demo) in the end.
  • 1 0
 Disagree with all winners (maybe #2 is OK - but it's not POY at all).
POY could't be just like some dirt on camera like #1! Also it couldn't be some little silhouette on #4.
  • 3 0
 hard to beat the silhouette...
  • 4 0
 And the suspense grows.
  • 2 1
 Disappointed on matchup 1, but look how close it was!!! There are some great shots, but none of these look like they deserve photo of the year.
  • 1 0
 That's not true .. I think the foto of the year diserves to be the winner of the match 2 =D !!
  • 3 0
 well this was a disappointment. most of the shots i voted for are gone.
  • 5 3
 The chairlift shot, i the most epic thing i have ever seen, and has been my desktop wallpaper for like a month
  • 3 0
 I think it's between #3 and #4. I'd have to go with the claw for the win!
  • 2 3
 Not satisfied with the results this time. #1 - I don't know why, but I've got the feeling that there are a lot of photos like that on pinkbike. Just doesn't appeal to me that much. #2 - hard to say anything, both shots are great but so different - they shouldn't meet that quickly in my opinion. #3 - come on... the looser has almost everything - colours, action, scenery, climate... don't get me wrong, but I think that the winner here is 'just' a good photo taken from a good perspective. It's just my personal opinion, though, and I guess the majority of users have a bit different view Big Grin
  • 2 0
 i respect all opinions, but respect mine too... i think the best pics are all gone from these competition... Frown
  • 3 0
 I would like to see #3 or #4 get it, but probably #4 it's just awesome.
  • 3 0
 Very disappointed about the first matchup!
  • 1 0
 Me too Frown
  • 2 0
 for photo of the year this is kinda disappointing, they are all good pictures but not photos of the year
  • 1 0
 The gobi shots going to take it for sure, its my desktop background and i can't wonder the timing and effert that went into that shot
  • 1 0
 i think Lorence shot of the Claw in Gobi is the winner anyway. and I feel sorry for Toniolo*s shot, that is my big favorite.
  • 1 0
 Judge's feedback for #1 and #3 need to be switched. Obvious when you read it.
  • 1 0
 I don't get how the 2nd(bp) picture in the first match up didn't get through.
  • 1 0
 everybody who votes for these pictures loves riding thats for sure? so why there are just a few likes for DH1?
  • 2 0
 I can't understand the results!! It's to vote in the best pics right? --'
  • 1 0
 # 4 is my vote . captures the essence of riding and pushing your own limits, not just another ride out with your buddies.
  • 2 2
 matchup 1 it was close but honestly the Bryce photo was so much sicker, also i tottaly do not get matchup 2 thats just stupid in my opinion
  • 2 0
 have a feeling that #4 might win
  • 2 0
 Some great shots, but definetly not the best that Pinkbike has to offer.
  • 2 0
 Great photos by all and stoked to see the Whistler boys still in!
  • 2 0
 Really?! I give up on this competition!
  • 1 0
 It will be #4 / thats what I would pick// The chair lift only if it will be a clic'sh pick.
  • 1 0
 and again these match ups killed some awesome photos. This system is BROKEN.
  • 1 0
 What a joke this has been..
  • 1 1
 Math up 2 there are no action in the winner shot, the water splash shot should have won!.
  • 1 1
 in match up nummber three the first pic is so much better how could have the other one have won
  • 1 0
 I'm very sad with the first match winner Frown !!
  • 1 0
 the athey shot is was sicker!
  • 1 0
 That's a tight race with a lot of emotions... nice to see it unfold!!!
  • 2 0
 where are all those POD?
  • 1 0
 Voting was so hard for the last round, I had to get a friend to help me!
  • 2 1
 Those are some sick pics
  • 1 0
 So top 4 gets marzocchi 66rc3 evo ti forks and number 1 gets a 2012 Demo.... does number two get anything else? think he should...
  • 1 0
 Wellburn for the win!
  • 1 2
 Amazing pictures. I'm still surprised this picture never made it. www.pinkbike.com/photo/7083816/#top
  • 1 0
 im suprised 90% of the pictures chosen made it in this contest. Considering all the beauty shots left out of this competition prior to September, made this POY a write off. some unbelivable pictures in all types of catagories were left out from the first half of the year.
  • 1 0
 Weird
  • 1 0
 Sunset air shot POTY.
  • 1 0
 Claw has got this one.
  • 1 3
 Jeeeesus Christ! I hope number 4 wins. I really liked the loser of number 3. Can't really understand the choices....
  • 1 3
 I dont understand what people were thinking with matchups 1 and 3
  • 3 5
 Matchup #3 is a god damn crime.
  • 2 5
 #3 match up is a shame, oh those kids, they have no clue







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