2013 Photo of the Year is...

 Wow Such a close pole with a difference of .6% this year was tight

 great photo definitely deserves photo of the year

 meh... you can all go with the safe responses but even though this is a sick photo, it's still within a controlled setting without that sense of adventure that I associate with mtbing. Opinions, everyone has one and I hope people will share theirs instead of praising a photo that is clearly a pic that a majority of members on this site enjoy. btw sick photo coupled with amazing riding that'll most likely go overlooked... peacocks are such cool creatures.

 Cats have fur

 Dogs have fur

 @DUTH5 1.2% actually

 @scott-townes
Its no more a controlled setting than Rubens photo IMO (or most every one, if not all of the 32 finalists truth be told). As far as I'm concerned you have to take any photo on its own merits and both the finalists this year were great shots regardless of their differing settings/locations/styles etc...

 @skootur and @scott-townes, in fact, @everybody.

One thing that has struck me about "photo of the year", or in fact any one of tens, possibly hundreds of photo journals/essays/pieces is how precise the set up of the shots are; there is very, very little that is not contrived. The lines, the booters, the landings, the whole deal. If you cannot take a good picture worthy of photo of the year with all that infrastructure behind you, who can?
Want an example?
Sure, take the recent example of the shoot of Hunter and Bearclaw (www.pinkbike.com/news/Pretty-Good-For-10-Year-Olds-matt-hunter-darren-berrecloth-video-2013.html), that coincidentally is photographed by Sterling Lawrence, and you will see what I mean.
The shots are, as some may say, "dope" or "sick" or whatever other word has been cajoled into submission as an adjective and I for one love looking at the "art" that can be created by the work of riders, builders and photographers in their search for a shot that defines what "freeride" or "mountain biking" or "insert tag here" means to them.

 cont...
There is however another category of photos. Those are in no way contrived. Since there is not the chance for them to ever be repeated and those are the racing photos; the event photos, the photos of mountain biking as it is happening, as it happens and as it disappears into the ether.And there are a small army of photographers who document those events without the budget, support or luxury of trying again til they get the "perfect" shot.
I have a friend here in Japan, DSK san, who is known to thousands of people here, who is just one of that small army. He is a dad, husband and salaried employee by day and a photographer by all other measures and he travels the length and breadth of Japan to document the riders and events of the world of Japanese MTB. If you have been to an event here, you will have seen him even though you many not have realized it. Go to the JDH? He's there. XC? He's there. Cyclocross? He's there. BMX, oh he's there all right, since he has just been to New Zealand as the over 40s crusier champion and Japanese representative at the World BMX championships because not only can he take great shots, he can ride better than you or me too!
Last week he got a fair few stitches in his lip and jaw after a min-motocross rider decided to use him to break their fall yet he is back out their this weekend in the cold and rain to get more shots of the kids at the National BMX 4X events in Kuwana in Japan.
So, here's a call to the industry, do not forget those photographers either you hear. How about a contest for them?
Here's a link to one of my favorite DSK shots from last years ML Open short DH series; sums up MTB to me.
www.flickr.com/photos/dsk24/8397779939

 @orientdave I hear you, like this photo of the decade entry; www.pinkbike.com/photo/10159873/#top dirt, bike, crazy frenchman and a camera

 Good picture but I agree with Dave. I've been shooting skateboarding and long boarding for the past year, now moving into MTB I am part of the small army, I travel quiet a bit for the events, and next year you can catch me at iXS in Czech, Germany, Austria, and maybe Italy.

 @orientdave Yes, you said exactly what was on my mind! During the contest I was looking over which photographers were in the contest and while I cannot speak about nearly all of them, there were a good few that are well established in the mountain bike community and as professional photographers from what I can see. And while hosting this contest for them and give something back to them is f*cking rad, I would like to see a contest for all of the up and comers. The guys that you speak of that work a 9-5 job just to support their passion as a photographer, that don't have access to the time and resources that some of these guys do.

 I think part of what Dave is referring to is the sentimental value of a picture. You know when you get a shot of yourself in a race or newly conquered feature and you think its the raddest pic ever! Well, sometimes no one else thinks so. The thing thats cool about these POY photos is that I can show them to my wife (who isnt into mtb) and she can appreciate the moment captured on film or the artistic angle captured for something so few people truly understand. Thats what photography is all about. Its all of those elements combined. Its not a "you had to be there" moment or "you just dont understand the sport" kind of picture. It captures the feeling of the moment or the mystery of the landscape, or the aggression of the rider or split second moment in time that you never knew existed and communicates it to the viewer. Each shot has a different flavor and I was super stoked to see what was on display this year. Good job Lorence. You deserve it!

 ＠Bmar Photography has its many different elements bmar, and as you say, the aggression of the rider or the split second in time that is communicated to the viewer are valuable aspects of the art of photography. The POTY contest is a great place for everyone to showcase and vote for the images that they feel best represents their view of the world of MTB and I for one voted in every round, enjoyed doing so, and earmarked Lorence's photo as the one that would be voted to first spot by the PB crowd. However, please do not suggest that I am referring to some kind of sentimental imagery of that shot of yourself that you think looks "rad"; we all know, or should do, that is is far from it. No, read what I wrote again if you need to. I am talking about the photos that Sven Martin, or Duncan Philpot have been known to take... At races. Race photography cannot be sculpted with acres of cabling, lighting, build crews and obliging riders who will go one more time for you to get that shot. Are you suggesting that Sven Martin is a sentimental photographer? no, I don't think you are either, so neither am I.

 A lot of event photos, including the album you posted are "you had to be there" photos. I only had to look at a few photos before I was bored with them. Unless Sven Martin used a cable cam for those shots, then no... But there are some pretty amazing event photos out there.

 So forgive me people for the multiple posts, however I have a question for you all. Is there inherently greater value in a photo that captures an essential moment as it happens, rather than in trying to create that moment to then subsequently capture? History is littered with the detritus of debate on the very same theme. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raising_the_Flag_on_Iwo_Jima is just one example of how we usually demand our photos to be genuine (and please have the decency to read that wiki link before you comment on it).
So, how about the world of MTB. Does staged photo sit OK with you, or do you see there being a different level of inherent worth in a photo that is not?

 Krabbs got robbed...

 Yes bmar, there are some amazing event photos out there are that is what I hoped you realize I was referring to, yet obviously that got lost somewhere along the way. It is that small army of photographers, from the DSK sans all the way through to the Sven Martins of this world who are taking shots without the infrastructure, the budgets, the crews or the opportunity to scope locations, build roost filled corners, drops, boosters and transitions, who make a relative silk purse out of a relative sow's ear when compared to the facilities made available to photo-shoot photographers. If, and it is a very big if, your wife looks at the POTY photos and thinks that is what we all do at the weekends, then who is fooling who?

 Disappointment

 ^ We do have lives... they just happen to heavily rotate around biking. Happy native massacre day!!!

 While things have changed since I took my photo that was in this contest, that is EXACTLY what I was doing at the time the photo was taken.... Making excuses doesn't take you better photos. Being "pro" didn't make my photo, Reuben's, or Sterl's possible. Being dedicated to our craft and putting in the extra time and effort did.

 Don't explain yourself, its beyond their minds.

 And I shoot events alimony exclusively, yet still manage to get out and explore new places with friends and try new things with photography away from events. OrientDave I fail to see any merit to your argument whatsoever, and can use my own real life experience as the reason.

 ^^^Almost exclusively

 Davetrump, I don't have an argument, so aim not surprised you don't see any merit in it. Are you saying race photography and photo shoot photography are the same thing?

 @hankbrowne, oh you'd be surprised sir what my mind can get itself around. Go on, try me.

 They are different environments and situations in which we shoot. But doing one doesn't mean you can't do another, and most if not all the pro guys in this contest also shoot events most of the year. Myself, Paris, LCE, Duncan and so on. There is no grand infrastructure or budget or smoke and mirrors behind photos hoots either. Often times it is on the photographer and riders dime, workin together to come up with an idea. If they get it right they might be able to generate revenue from it. My point is you and a bunch of other people here seem to make excuses for everyone else who isn't at the top of the game, but as Sterl pointed out there are no pro photographs, just photos that do or don't create a positive experience for the viewer. And saying event photography is harder is just silly. With hundreds of riders and multiple days you have plenty of opportunity to get shots, and plenty of opportunity to do photo shoots between events. Like I said, I was working a full time job up until part way through this past summer, I took my POY photo on a weekend with a local university student on a weekend on a local trail, I shoot events almost exclusively, and still find time to shoot commercially and for fun. I never made excuses, I just worked really damn hard to make this a full time job, and believe me non of us are rolling in money as MTB photography is not all Gucci watches and other people's gold cards.

 Thanks Dave, I really appreciate the time you spent on that. thanks. I find it interesting that you do not see then much difference between a race and an opportunity to set up shots in a way you have more control over. Please do not misconstrue what aim saying as an "excuse for everyone else who isn't at the top of the game", personally I couldn't give a monkeys who is at the top of the game so be careful what you suggest there Sir. To me, as a non-photographer who loves photography, I see a very big difference between what a photographer can achieve by acting as an observer to the events unfolding in front of their viewfinder and a photographer who is creating an event to photograph. If you wish to get into a comparison and contrast of the two, I would be very interested to hear how you, as a photographer, see the two. are they mutually exclusive? Can they be considered different, and if not, why not? What is the role of a documentary photographer and is their role different to that of a studio photographer? I do not doubt the levels of effort given by each kind of photographer by the way, but that does not preclude their being different

 ^ One of my buds is on the same level of recognition as Sterling but in another sport and he has to work his ass off just to make ends meet. People don't seem to realize that being a "pro" at whatever, doesn't mean you're set for life. Any kind of "performance" based career surrounding action sports is such a gamble and you have to work your ass off, even when you have "made it".

 Look people, gloves off time, and time to educate ourselves, and that iincludes all you photographers out there too,who should know this anyways. You are all aware that all photography is a subjective form of representation right. Only there will be different levels of that subjectivity. My initial comment way up the top here is about the inherent nature of variations in the levels of subjectivity within the various approaches that can be taken when asking yourself, as a photographer, what levels of subjectivity you are prepared to accept in an attempt to faithfully represent an idea to the viewer. However, viewers are often likely to desire similar levels of subjectivity to photographs without a full consideration of the nature of the relationship between subject and object. These variations in the subjectivity of all photography creates a tension when attempting to offer a value judgement as to the relative merits of individual photographs. One of the ways in which that subjectivity can be reduced is to offer a category or Racing Photos. I'd like to see that. Goodnight.

 We really appreciate all that hard work davetrump, and all the others out there. Keep doin what you do.

 @DUTH5 @dhftw1231

1.0% actually... But whose counting, it was a close one!

 You're brave to enter this fray @davetrump. I dig your work by the way. As you know, What people refuse to acknowledge is that photography, is incredibly difficult, often stressful, but almost always fulfilling. It's difficult to hear those who haven't taken the leap complain about not having more opportunity. As you know, it's scary as hell to make the leap. The 9-5er who wants reciprocal recognition for their photography neglects to accept that they are afforded a luxury of consistent paycheck & security that those who have committed to photography do not have. At the end of the day, everyone wants respect. It's about personal responsibility. If any of you out there want to make it happen, then make it happen. Or don't. But know it's all up to you... It's Not your equipment, your access to pro riders, your obligation to a job, or anything else. Those are excuses for your unwillingness to make the terrifying leap to follow your dreams.

 1.2% actually

 @daves it's all about observer vs. interactor ... should a photographer interact with the subject, or just observe an document? I prefer the later, but both is ok and can generate great pictures.
aand goodnight from europe ;-)

 trailynx... thank you. aaand good morning from the East. You have distilled what I have been trying to say into a simple sentence that hopefully more people here can understand than they could my attempts, and I could not agree more.

Documentary photography is about the "things as they are, about discovery, not about creation". It is inherently different to "being in command of the process of creation". Documentary photography is mainly concerned with reflecting what is out there. If you are creating what is out there, it is a separate discipline whereby you artistically arrange the world according to what you want to see. I appreciate the validity of both types, as do I suspect the vast majority of us here. There is though, as a result, a tension in the POTY contest, since it mixes the two genres. Yes, Davetrump, both genres require dedication and photographers are free to focus on one, or both at different times, and no-one is judging the authenticity of either genre, however, the two genres ARE different. There is a case for suggesting that POTY could be split into those two genres. Will it be? Probably not, however, where people begin to discuss which images are "best", an understanding of the two genres helps one to understand that there are no absolutes.

 Believe me, we all understand your opinion on the subject now. But as for anyone who wants to take on your lengthy, overly wordy 'argument' about which type of photography is 'true' photography? It doesn't appear that anyone wants to take the bait. Not even Mr. Trumpore.

 If you scroll up, you'll see the Pinkbike novel section starring orientdave

 @samtomkins look again buddy

 thats a lot of dead presidents.

 @orientdave....dude stop with the f*ckin essay length comments

 Dude, We can do what we like since this isn't the twitter sphere. You can write one word comments if you like. I prefer not to.

 You just listed off a bunch of things you don't need to take great photos. Go look up what a d700 and a 50mm lens goes for that took Reuben's shot. And you could put any handful of riders in there in what is a public an legal trail. For about $1500 in gear you could take that shot with your friends.... Lets have some respect here for TALENT, that's what makes great photos, not a label of Pro or am or a pile of expensive gear. There were photos in the top 32 taken by amateurs and hobbyists on very inexpensive gear, and honestly there ate probably only 10 folks in the contest who actually make a living from photography. Again, your argument is more of an excuse than anything else.

 Well said sir. Photography at it's core is an art - the camera (and all of the related lights and gizmos) is just the tool. Like any art, the more you practice, the better you get. No one moans about a painter using a more expensive brush to create a masterpiece. It is the skill of the person behind the lens which makes the photo, you can spend $10,000 on gear and still take a crap photo if you don't know how to use it.

 Photography is an art form, it's subjective. The vision of the artist and how well that artist brings his or her vision to a reality will always be the determining factor between something amazing and something "ok". The Mona Lisa was made on a plain piece of canvas stretched over a wood frame with a couple dollars worth of paint. I was a finalist in 2011 & 2012, both of the images that made it in were made using a nikon d200 and a kit lens (If I tried to sell it right now I'd maybe get $500 for the set up). When I found out I made it in the previous years the thing that meant the most to me was the fact the guys I've looked up to as a photographer (Sterling, Harookz, Hylands to name a few) chose my photo as a potential piece of imagery to reflect an entire year of our sport. No matter how big the prize is, the fact that I'll have had the opportunity to have my photography represent our sport, amongst such amazing photographers will always big enough of a reward for me.

Also in my opinion there's also no need for a amateur segment because anyone can have their photo nominated to begin with. That being said its also easy to forget that Pinkbike is the biggest online presence for our sport. So when deciding a photo of the year there is a lot of prestige attributed to that title, and I think it's important to have high caliber judging to maintain that. I feel an amateur contest would draw in alot of people entering simply with the intention of taking a "cool" photo to win a bike and some cash. Frankly there are plenty of other photo contests hosted on this site each year with sweet prizes for that. (To me) This contest is for photographers (pro and amateur alike) that are truly passionate about creating images that intrigue and inspire us to get out on our bikes and explore, and rewarding them for their hard work.

 Oh come on, why do you have to be like that.............................they're obviously Dakine pajamas.

 You must be a blast at parties

 If you think that shot is artifical and thomas had to skid to turn up that much dirt then you've obviously never ridden in kamloops mid-summer...

 Sorry man I didn't realise you were there. Ha ha. None of us can guess the techniques and thought processes Sterl went through to get this shot. I'm pretty sure you're wrong tho otherwise you'd be winning POY rather than talking shite on the internet.

I must be honest, I declined to vote in the final as I loved them both. However, you're argument holds no water in my opinion. I am so bored of people moaning about a result VOTED FOR BY THEM. With only a few % in it, there's bound to be people that disagree, but that's why they had a vote- to decide what the majority of people think is POY. If you disagree, it's kinda tough shit. PB aren't gonna turn round and say, 'Shit, Protour is right. We should overrule the vote after being enlightened by his insightful and profound opinions.'

 I must point out my comment was aimed at Protour!- brycepiwek & Young Pedalwon can obviously type faster than me!

 "Just to clarify, the shot of Thomas is in the Kamloops Bike Ranch and was taken on a proper trail in the park. One of the most epic hipping doubles in the park has you merging onto another portion of trail and this is a corning berm drift that you ride through on the trail. No part of the trail was manipulated for this shot, and no damage to the trail was made. When you ride Kamloops after a dry stretch of weather, this is simply the dust factor that occurs here. Thomas two wheel drifts through this section, both feet on, and rides through into the rest of the trail. If anything, the trail is left in better condition than we found it, for he has swept it clean for you..." Sterling Lorence

 Very good point! Anonymous until eliminated or winner!

 well it wasn't me, cos I didn't vote for it once either. could it be we're outnumbered by 16 year old fanboys?

 That was also my absolute favorite! With a difference that close, I would call both top picks picture of the year

 dude, the photographer works for Pinkbike and the rider was Wade Simmons

 upsss my mistake bro, Thanks man

 Same here. Were my fav's from the start. But had to pick one in the end...

 almost as bad as Wernie on nsmb.

 Agreed.....

 you clearly have no idea at all what you are talking about.

 Em-j the color temp was manipulated quite a bit. Some like it some don't, but it is "artificial". That said it makes the shot and gives it a powerful feeling, so props to Reuben for his choice to process it that way.

 I was more referring to the use of the word ugly, and if we're going to talk artificial, well nothing says it quite like a completely staged shot with artificial lighting like SL's. Technically speaking though, you are correct.

 So em-j what is more real? A photo taken in natural light but then changed dramatically in post processing, or a shot that manipulates light and exposure with the aid of strobes and skill with a camera and its settings, so that what is captured in camera is not manipulated to become something totally different in post?

 Thanks Chris!