3D Award finalists announced for 2013 Sony World Photography Awards

The finalists for the 3D category of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards are announced today. Selected by the judges from the World Photography Organisation, the three finalists are:
· Michele Abramo Puricelli (aka Michael Abraham), Italy
· Matjaž Tančič, Slovenia
· Nick Saglimbeni, USA, who won the 3D Photographer of the Year title in 2012, the award’s inaugural year

With the recent technical advances in the photographic industry there has been a revival in 3D photography and the artform has emerged as one of the strongest innovations in the industry today. The three finalists represent some of the world’s best photographers working in 3D.

Michele Abramo Puricelli (aka Michael Abraham), Italy

Michele is a keen filmmaker who has spent the past 14 years embracing new and exciting challenges. He spent eight years working in the commercial, television and film industry and has been actively involved in 3D filmmaking (and photography) since 2009. Since then he has had the opportunity to work for Sky 3D and the feature film Jack Giant the Slayer, which is scheduled for release in March 2013. He recently directed and shot two short films: 'Wuji' and 'Il Filo d'Arianna'.

Michele’s image THE THREE GUYS is of three guides and was taken prior to a trip into the Morocco’s Sarhara Desert.

Michael comments “Being chosen as a finalist amongst others competitors is both an honour and a huge surprise! Depth, in my opinion, is the missing element in standard photography. The additional dimension in 3D photography gives us, the audience, almost an air of familiarity within its deep atmosphere. I believe that the evolution of 3D photography will eventually increase the interest of the general public in the 3D World in general, in turn pushing the boundaries for further expansion and exploration.”

Matjaž Tančič, Slovenia

Matjaž is a leading 3D fashion photographer who divides his time between Beijing and Ljubljana. He is a graduate of the London College of Fashion and his professional career began as a photojournalist for Mladina magazine in Slovenia. Matjaž’s work has been seen in 42 group and 14 solo exhibitions and has been featured in a variety of publications including Vogue, L Officiel, Playboy and Mercedes Benz Magazine. He was a finalist in the 2009 "Google Photography Prize" contest.

His image, TIME KEEPER is inspired by the set-up of Hui-style living rooms in the old village houses of Yixian, China.

Matjaž comments: “I am very glad that my photograph has reached the finals, especially as it was created originally created for a photographic festival in Yixian, China that was actually cancelled one day before its opening. It is also a really nice reward for the hard work and shooting 3D for the last couple of years. 3D photography brought me from London to China where I am based now and it would be very exciting if it would also brought me back...”

Nick Saglimbeni, USA
Nick has been a pioneer and strong supporter of 3D photography. He designed and co-engineered the Saglimbeni3D stereo camera system and, in 2011, he created and launched WMB 3D: World’s Most Beautiful, the first magazine entirely photographed and designed in 3D. In 2010, Nick released the Mastering Retouching tutorial series which is now one of the most popular retouching tutorials ever created. He has photographed national and international campaigns for Kardashian Kollection, Skechers and Sears and his work has been featured on Good Morning America, Larry King Live, Keeping Up with Kardashians, and more.
His finalist image, WAREHOUSE WONDERLAND was shot as a fashion feature for WMB 3D: World's Most Beautiful #2.

Nick comments: “It's an honour to be recognized by Sony and the WPO, especially in such a niche arena as 3D. Congratulations to my fellow nominees."

The winner of the 3D category will be announced on 19 March. The winning photographer will be flown to London to attend the Sony World Photography Awards Gala Ceremony and will receive 3D equipment from Sony.

The three finalists will be shown as part of the 2013 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition at Somerset House, London from 26 April – 12 May. The images will also be published in the 2013 edition of the Sony World Photography Awards book.