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Showdown Winners

Skateboard photo guru wins Showdown They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in Whistler during the Sony Pro Photogarpher Search and Showdown, a great picture is worth a thousand cheers.

Skateboard photo guru wins Showdown

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but in Whistler during the Sony Pro Photogarpher Search and Showdown, a great picture is worth a thousand cheers.

A whole collection of great pictures is worth a cut glass trophy, a prestigious title, and the respect and admiration of distinguished peers in the photography business, and an audience that is genuinely passionate about action sports photography.

The Pro Photographer Search, held on April 14 and 15, showcased the work of six finalists, whittled down from a slate of 38 entries. The chosen six were Sterling Lorence of Vancouver, Peter Moynes of Slocan, Ryan Creary of Canmore, Johnathan Selkowitz of Jackson, Wyoming, Dave Humphries of Squamish and Matt Power of Aspen.

Each photographer gave a 12-minute slide presentation choreographed to music of their choosing. On April 15, before an audience of 1,000, Sterling Lorence was announced as The Best of Show winner for 2003.

His collection, which focused mainly on mountain biking, included some of the most artistic and beautifully-rendered shots of the genre that many in the crowd had ever seen. The audience response verged on deafening, and the judges were won over as well.

"I’ve aspired to be a part of this event since its inception," said Lorence, 31. "I’ve been here every year and have wanted to get involved each of those years.

"It was a strong group of photographers in the Search and it’s so exciting to be part of (the Showdown). These guys and everyone involved in the Showdown have had an impact on my career. To be a part of an event that influenced my career so much is a huge honour."

The judges were Anne-Marie Boissonnault (Ski Press publication director), Therese Lundgren (pro photographer and 2000 Search presenter), Micah Abrams (Freeze photo editor), Blake Jorgenson (pro photographer and 2001 Showdown Best of Show, and Perkins Miller (Skiing Magazine editor)

The win gave Lorence a berth in the Pro Photographer Showdown on April 17, where he was the last presenter of the evening and a strong candidate to take that Best of Show award as well.

At the Showdown, Lorence joined a group of other prestigious photographers, including Hawaiian-based surf photographer Warren Bolster, Swedish-based action sports photographer Mattias Fredriksson, and skateboarding photographer Jon Humphries of Portland, Oregon.

The judges for this contest included J. Grant Brittain (Transworld Skateboarding photo editor and 2000 Showdown winner), Dave Heath (pro photographer and 2002 Best of Show), Jon Foster (pro photographer and photo editor), Flip McCririck (pro photographer and former Freeze photo editor), Fred Foto (pro photographer and guest editor for Skiing Magazine), and Scott Markewitz (pro photographer and 1998 Showdown presenter).

The event was sold out, with more than 1,200 photo fans in attendance for the show, which was held in the main ballroom at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

After a long deliberation, the judges went with Jon Humphries incredible collection of skateboard pictures, many of which have been featured in leading skateboard magazine. Generally shy and self-deprecating, Humphries, 28, said there were no real winners because you can’t judge art. He also praised his mentors, including judge and skateboard photographer J. Grant Brittain and a high school friend, both of whom inspired him to depict this urban sport and its surroundings.

The judges were impressed with Humphries’ eye for profiles, and the fact that his work encompassed a wide variety of styles and mediums, from artistically blurred action shots, to portraits of leading skaters.

They credited Humphries for pushing the envelope of skate photography, and taking things to a new artistic level.

Mackay-Smith wins filmmaker Showdown

More than 32 film crews took up the challenge thrown down by the Panasonic Filmmaker Showdown – create a short film (four and a half minutes) in 72 hours, starting at 11 a.m. on April 11 and wrapping up at 11 a.m. on April 14.

Six finalists were selected from the submitted films – and it was a long night according to the judges – and presented to an audience of about 1,000 people on the evening on April 16.

The presentations were "Weekend Warrior" by Ace Mackay-Smith, "Superfrog" by Heavy Hitting Films, "Static" by Lauren Graham, "Addicted" by Sky Pinnick, "Director’s Cut" by Mirror Ball Productions, and "The Mating Rituals of the Whistler Mountain Cougar" by Rebecca Wood Barrett.

The win went to MacKay-Smith’s production, which was filmed entirely using a collection of dolls and some fishing line, in and around Whistler. Using a variety of interesting techniques at local hangouts, like the skate park, she made the dolls appear almost life-sized.

Weekend Warrior is a film about a guy up from the city who is attempting to impress and score with a pretty local girl. Every encounter winding up in disaster, and the guy ends up hitching home with a bandage around his head, a cast around his ankle, no money, and a pretty good hangover. According to MacKay-Smith, the film was loosely based on a few of the guys she has encountered over the years.

It was almost a complete solo project, with only Mackay-Smith’s brother helping out with the sound effects. She said she didn’t sleep for the entire 72 hours, and, to her credit, it showed.

The judges for this event were Terry David Mulligan (Movie Television host), Katherine Monk (Vancouver Sun film critic), Larry Sugar (producer and writer), Stuart Aikins (casting director), Christian Begin (action sports director), Leonard Bonnell (Vancouver-based agent), and Peter Rowe (acclaimed filmmaker).