2017 Photo of the Year - Round Two Voting Closed!

 yes ! PB should just show the 32 pics and allow us to click on our 16 favourites ... at the end of the day they pick the 16 most chosen pictures on the 32 ... Next year's format Hopefully @pinkbike

 @RedBurn: x2
Both the Milner and Cachon shots should be able to progress on.

 Agreed, should be more DH/Enduro, I dont think slalom is the best format for this competition.

 ..

 Too bad PB is full of f*cking idiots who vote for the roost shot simply because "OMG DIRT FLYING EVERYWHERE!"

 I was bummed to see an old hat contrived berm shot make it through the first round. Just no. Colin’s competing photo had much better composure.

 @scott-townes: #justsaynotoroost

 @ninjatarian: it might have been done a lot of times but it's still a great shot. Particularly for newcomers to the sport.

 @tremeer023: I do agree it could attract newcomers. But I would ask, which is more attractive - an apparent crash (which I think was the final result of this photo anyway) or a endo down a railing?

Speaking from my own experience, it was watching Danny MacAskill do mind boggling stunts which shouldn't have been possible that first attracted me to cycling as a sport.

In this specific matchup, looking through the eyes of a newcomer I would have been much more interested in the trials photo over the crash/roost.

 @MortifiedPenguin: that was a crash? I wouldn't have guessed. They are both good shots and of course there's no doubting Danny's skills but they are different disciplines. Depends what you think is cooler maybe.

 @tremeer023: I *think* it resulted in a crash. Either way, to an untrained eye it looks like a crash.

 @scott-townes: I get what you’re saying but that’s the “beauty” of a public vote.

 @MortifiedPenguin: easily untrained. Go watch the f*cking video before you spew bull

 @Wizard79: I said I wasn't sure. So it wasn't actually a crash, but to someone who doesn't ride bikes it could easily look like the start of a crash. That's my point.

 @MortifiedPenguin: Na - I could have ridden that out no problem ;-)

 @Wizard79: You're correct, its just another rider planting a foot because he lost traction in a corner and kicked up dust. That's like sooooo impressive! Brendog or the local shredder, this isn't impressive. Its cool but that's about it.

 @scott-townes: I totally agree that it is roost for the sake of it. Nothing impressive in terms of riding skill. But, it still makes for a good photo - there's a reason why it's been done so many times.

 @tremeer023: roost shots give MTB a bad image in the eyes of land managers. This should be pushed as the epitome of MTB!

Also, seems like fisheye is the new roost on PB. Grab that 12mm lens photographers, if you want to please the great Pinkbike unwashed!

 @tremeer023:

*Shouldn't* be pushed

 I agree, an overall process of elimination by halving the lot for each round would make more sense.

 @ninjatarian: Also people are going for strong colors and you can't see even one black and white photo. I think Colin's photo is one of the best here.

 @vid1998: How did JB's photo not make Round 2?

 @mtbikeaddict: It's not black and white just shot in dark.

 @vid1998: I know it's not black and white. I was just surprised it was eliminated, because IMO, it is freakin awesome.

 @RedBurn:

 You're right, i only voted for that Brendog shot because I've seen the film and i got a bit stoked - technically probably wasn't the better photo. I am ashamed...

 The jump one to clarify - says alot about the guy that he's in to POTY shots!

 It's a public vote contest, like a TV talent show. What do you expect?

Again, please run a "Photographer's choice" award in a straight vote format Pinkbike.

 "Favourite first round loser" straight public vote would be a nice bonus award too.

 I go with shots that are interesting to me, both it terms of content and visually. I weigh technique heavily but there can be "perfect" shots that bore me. I think people generally vote the same way, with the one they like to look at. I think that's fine. I did like the black and white in match up 3 a lot more but I also shamelessly picked Brendog's roost shot.

 @Ozziefish: i didnt see the DEATHGRIP movie yet.. we are STILL WAITING for the free premier e! (I know its coming )

 Damnit, *two

 DAMN you roost shot!!!! Seriously, enough. Maybe if it was an ebike roost shot it would finally die on PB

 Its the most savage roost shot I've ever seen, its badass, and unique compared to other roost shots. If you watched the movie you'd know he no-braked that corner at about 30mph and this is the aftermath. Its super cool and I'm prepared to ride it all the way to the final round

 First, it seems like there was an inordinate number of landscape photos this year. I agree, I enjoy the scenery, but the fact that mountain bikers were also in the photo seemed almost incidental in a few of them. It was kind of like, here's this gorgeous backdrop -- oh, and those dots down there? Those are guys on bikes. Not exactly what I'm looking for in a mountain biking site. The guys on bikes should be the main story, not an add-on or afterthought.

As for black and white photography, it has its merits, but unfortunately I think it's at a disadvantage online. The medium is just not conducive to black and white photos. People are just not going to be as moved by it over a computer screen.

Finally, accept the roost! Roost muthaf#$%as! Roost! No way it doesn't make the final four.

 I like to think of mountain bike photography as its own subcategory and judge the images accordingly. Things like composition and contrast still matter of course, but the image needs to really capture the sport not just conveniently have it in the frame. Take Isac Paddock' shot for example. Excellent stop motion, perfect timing, crisp, enough context to understand the feature to that's being ridden, and a depth of field that suits the shot in my opinion. While not necessarily the most original or artistic, this is a really solid mtb shot. Arguably none are that original because they all have the same general subject anyway. I do agree that postcard shots should not win. Especially ones where b&w balance seems adjusted to give the lighting more of an gold glow. Sort of reminds me of Kinkade paintings.

 @taquitos: I think Isac's shot is the best of the bunch. It's great action photography, all the things your stated. I think it's actually more difficult to pull off than a gorgeous landscape doing all the heavy lifting for you.

 If it has amazing scenery, more power to the photographer. If the biker is barely there, sure. If it's a bad bike photo with great backdrop, vs a great bike photo, sure, the great bike photo should win. But if it's a heart-stopping photo that includes great scenery, why not? Although I do notice that the black and white pics lost handily every time. Seriously PB?

 Match Up 5 result is unbelievable, it seems that most people who voted have never held a real camera in their hands. Considering that the photographer could influence neither the rider's line nor the light, it's a spectacular work of art, one of the best MTB photos I've ever seen. And I'm saying that as an ex-Nikon employee who has seen work of some of the world's best photographers and had the opportunity to test pretty much everything that Nikon was selling - in the real world.

 I personally preferred Dave Trumpmore's shot- it had everything for me. interesting composition, solid riding action and epic backdrop. The other shot was cool but it didn't really capture what I personally associate with MTB. The rampage logo sat too heavily in the frame for me too if I'm honest. Like anything, it's personal opinion. I agree with you on match up 15!

 @gavlaa: Rider facing away from the frame with part of the bike partially covered by plants is what you call interesting composition? When I take a photo with this kind of composition I usually delete it before I even connect my camera to my PC.

 @Extremmist:

 @Extremmist: @Extremmist: Now we just need to see your photos skills to go with all those words.

Post them up please... Maybe I'll hire you for a shoot ;-)

 @davetrumpore: I ride on my own so I don't really shoot MTB but here are a few of my MotoGP shots:
orig00.deviantart.net/82b3/f/2009/228/a/0/motogp_2009___19_by_m_m_x.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/95d6/f/2009/227/5/2/motogp_2009___09_by_m_m_x.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/0b56/f/2009/227/8/b/motogp_2009___02_by_m_m_x.jpg
(It was taken back in 2009 with Canon 40D and a cheap-ish Sigma telephoto zoom so please excuse the lack of sharpness...)

 @Extremmist: what about when you claimed to work for Nikon? Since you brag about having access to the best gear and all here? You're a pretty outspoken and overconfident photo critic, but a 10 year old photo and an excuse of poor equipment isn't really backing all that talk up ya know ;-)

 @davetrumpore: I thought image quality and composition were two different things
I decide to choose some sports photos (ideally of some fast moving objects on two wheels) to not compare apples and oranges.
With Nikon, I was mostly shooting concerts and then some city- and landscapes.
orig00.deviantart.net/f0d1/f/2013/297/5/3/finntroll_by_m_m_x-d6rnv5i.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/b085/f/2013/187/6/9/sekhmet_by_m_m_x-d6c7tht.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/3764/f/2013/187/d/6/iperyt_by_m_m_x-d6c7rtj.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/038b/f/2012/279/4/b/silva_nigra_bw_by_m_m_x-d5gz42a.jpg
orig12.deviantart.net/f108/f/2012/279/e/3/silva_nigra_1_by_m_m_x-d5gypqb.jpg
orig03.deviantart.net/ef28/f/2012/279/d/7/tortorum_1_by_m_m_x-d5gzdub.jpg
orig09.deviantart.net/e7ef/f/2012/279/8/8/tortorum_2_by_m_m_x-d5gzevr.jpg

orig00.deviantart.net/2a7b/f/2012/263/f/2/samuel_beckett_bridge_2_by_m_m_x-d5fcx7p.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/74a5/f/2012/206/e/4/liffey_1_by_m_m_x-d5707p7.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/4425/f/2012/161/0/3/portmarnock_2_by_m_m_x-d530c1b.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/8717/f/2012/302/4/3/glendalough_2_by_m_m_x-d5jamsj.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/bba8/f/2012/303/9/5/poulanass_waterfall_by_m_m_x-d5jdd5g.jpg
orig00.deviantart.net/6a34/f/2014/328/f/b/the_summer_is_coming_by_m_m_x-d51nt34.jpg

 @Extremmist: you may be overselling your knowledgeability a bit as a critic of professional photographers ;-)

 @davetrumpore: Does selling your photo for a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 ad not count as being a professional photographer?

twitter.com/samsungireland/status/907273052026806272/video/1

 @Extremmist: it doesn't make you a critic of photography that's for sure

 @davetrumpore: Oh yeah and what does? Is there a special school for that or what?
Rule of space / rule of gaze / lead room / whatever you want to call it is one of the basic composition rules. I don't need to have a Ph.D. in photography to be able to say that if the rider is both facing and moving away from the centre of the photo while there's nothing particularly important behind him (he's not being chased by a pack of dogs or something like that), the composition is far from ideal.
The Rampage photo, on the other hand, is a perfect combination of the rule of thirds and diagonal composition and utilises a leading line which leads me from the top left to the bottom right corner, where the main object is.
That doesn't mean, that there isn't anything that I prefer in your photo (colours, sharpness, scenery as such) but the composition is certainly the weakest point of the photo.

Also, don't take this too personally, I'm not saying you're a bad photographer, I just think I've seen better photos than this one - even in your own gallery.

 @Extremmist: I think you've read a few too many articles about about photography and think you know a thing or two. But you really haven't a clue what you are talking about... Best of luck selling that next big photo buddy

 @davetrumpore: Well feel free to enlighten my plebeian mind and reveal your intent which my non-professional eyes are unable to see. Please, tell me, why have you decided for this particular composition and what were you trying to achieve? What am I supposed to see when looking at your photo?
Because so far you haven't said anything apart from a few arrogant ad hominem remarks.

 @Extremmist: give it rest and maybe go read some more magazines about photography. You spit out some buzzwords on one form of composition but that's about it. There's still lots for you to learn on the subject... a whole lot, before you can make a valid argument.

 @davetrumpore: Then I guess you're still learning too, considering you've made exactly zero arguments in four days...

 @Extremmist: well I am currently on a photo trip in Chile riding and working so don't really care to be honest.

 I guess this format generates both, more content and more traffic, something worth considering when you make a living out of the website.

Anyhow, the result will be the same; the most liked will win. It'd be unfair in case they had prizes for 2nd and 3rd

 Yeah, I don't get round 12 either. For me, the shot of the guy riding over the ocean feels like a we'll thought out photo op. That doesn't do it for me. Not that others are not the same but that one seems more blatant in that regard. To each his own.

 Glad someone else thought so. There's a big difference between 'a photo of mountain biking' and 'a photo with a mountain biker in it'. Total set up.

 @iamamodel: agree. 12 results were bogus - i'm suprised the rider over the ocean even has his feet on the pedals.

 Same here. Round 1 was ok, and then Round 2... NOoooooo! Almost all of my favorites lost. Guess I'll be playing damage control/spoiler. If some of my favs are still there, yay. Otherwise, take down the ones I don't like. But, on the other hand, they're all great, hence the POTY contest.

 ether the voting page is counted differently than the article page. or like old YouTube Pb has trouble keeping count of high sudden traffic
(just a guess though)

 your first option could be, but then we are not 'trained' to click on the head banner to directly access to the voting page, we are 'trained' to click on the article, so maybe some participants, their friends, kin or coworkers are sending the direct link massively.

 Most creative photo of the lot. Bummed it didn't even make it past the first round.

 totally agree

 Ok, so looking again I can see that as a fish eye like shot the angles might be skew from real life, still looks wrong though to me.

 I have no idea what's going on in that shot. Is he in the air and scrubbing (which would be cool, if you could tell at first glance, which I can't)? Is he on the ground and just turning (which would be pretty boring and kind of a weird body position)? It seems like a shot that you could do with the rider being stationary, I don't get any sense of dynamic movement from it.

 Definitley not a crash or a rider posing for the camera... I'm up a tree if that helps with perspective a bit.

 @Pedro404: Looks like he is about to totally eat shit. That's why it got my vote. Not all of mountain biking is killer whips and jumps. There is some pain in there as well!

 Are there any rules in photohraphy still in 2018?

 Photography is art. There are no rules in art. There are guidelines but that shot looks great despite not following them.

 @szach: composition doesn’t matter in 2018?

 @Fluidworks: just because it isn't golden /thirds ratio does not make it not have a composition

 @Fluidworks: there are far more compositions than just #classicthirds but after first 10 000 shots you understand how little you know and keep on searching for more. In this contest most jury picked up final 32, not us - we just aimed with a couple of shots "people may like". My shot was meant to be like that from the time I pointed the camera at Bas. I shot over 100 "usable shots" for the gallery from that weekend. It wasn't my fav one but the more I watched it, the more I liked it. Like with the jump you are a bit of afraid of hitting, but after a couple tries it becomes your thing. Dig in for @szachimat Instagram if you want to see more of my compositions

 @szach: Of course there are, why not? What's so special about 2018? I hate this modern trend of extreme egalitarianism when we're supposed to consider everything to be equally good because otherwise, someone might get offended.
The rules of photography are based on how people perceive images; you don't have to follow them but you can't force other people to like your photos. And yes, of course, there are exceptions, but "to break the rules, you must master them first". There's a difference between breaking the rules with a specific idea in mind and simply being too lazy to learn them.

PS: I now realized you're the photographer; there's nothing wrong with the composition of that particular shot (I voted for it), just commenting on the trend of confusing laziness and lack of knowledge with artistic freedom.

 @Extremmist: And I love to discuss and try to understand the other's perspective on my work - to improve I completely agree there is too much laziness and "I want it now and perfect" attitude but all we can do is adapt or pass by. I have never been in a photo-school or anything related but I have spent most of my "free" time (mostly used for sleep by normal people) to learn more about the art/craft of photography.

To be honest - I ve started with telling and writing stories for Polish Red Bull back in a day, but I hated the format of being just a tool for the chief editor and that's why I ve joined forces with PSBMX. I simply hate borders. But with a good workflow on writing, I always lacked visual content to match my stories from bike events and waiting for "shots from others that sought publicity". I am just kind of a person that is never happy with its work and sees room for improvement but with same day delivery on photos from events you pretty much need to find your way - and perform all the basic/medium and hopefully someday pro ideas asap. That is why I love photojournalism as it simply keeps you pumped and challange you

 @szach: To be honest, I always found photography schools to be a waste of time and money. The basic rules are something you can learn from the Internet within a day and the rest comes with experience. Browse through galleries such as 500px, find photos that you like, look what equipment and settings the photographer used and then take your camera, go out and replicate that. Eventually, you'll find out what you like and what you don't and develop your own style.

 Yes, my favourite photo from the whole set.

 to be fair, some b&w's were pretty flat though, others didn't have the rider as more than a pixel size and one wasnt mountain biking, on a mtb website. i think Rupert Fowler and Dave Trumpore to the final. Weak year though. Preferred other years personally.

 it's inverted I think, so what you see is the reflection in the water. Try turning it upside down.

 @Braindrain: Good shout! Had me stumped until now

 @Braindrain: well spotted. I thought it was taken from under a willow tree. Shame it lost. One of my favorites.

 Thanks man, was up against some great competition!

 I think that's the intended style - like a Whitesnake video or something. I think it's awesome and awesome image. It doesn't pull my heartstrings like some of the others, but it's still great.

 That's like just your opinion man.

 Just vote for calvin and dan ! Easy choice

 Agreed voters could pick top 5, in order. Then the scores get totalled up

 Thanks bro !