The 12^th annual Canon PhotoMarathon Vietnam, organized by Canon Marketing Vietnam, was today officially launched.  The event, which will be held between 8 October and 5 November, will see competitions staged in Da Nang, Ha Noi, and Ho Chi Minh City.

With a total prize-pool of VND 1.4 billion, this year’s winner will also have the opportunity to compete with 16 other contestants from around the region at the Canon PhotoMarathon Asia Championship in 2018, where a further US$5,000 will be up-for-grabs.

Kicking off at Da Nang’s Tien Son Stadium (03 Phan Dang Luu, Hai Chau District) on 8 October, the prestigious event then moves south for the Ho Chi Minh City event starting at District 1’s Hoa Lu Stadium (2 Dinh Tien Hoang), before wrapping up in the nation’s capital on 5 November from the Hanoi Children’s Center (36 Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem District).

The event welcomes participants both locally and from around the world, providing they have legal residence in Vietnam.

With an established 11-year record of excellence, the Canon PhotoMarathon is widely recognized as the largest event for photographers of all talent levels looking to hone their “lensmanship”.

Mr. Hiroshi Yokota, CEO of Canon Marketing Vietnam explains: “The PhotoMarathon strikes just the right chord between photography, flexibility and creativity.  The contest has gone on to flourish not just in Vietnam but all around the region.  As we celebrate our 15^th anniversary in Vietnam and our 80 years of development, the PhotoMarathon is one of the most powerful ways that we share our message of cultural development, positive living, and passion for photography with photo-lovers here and abroad.”

Mr. Yokota highlighted that Canon PhotoMarathon is more than just a contest, as it also offers photography lovers the opportunity to gain real experience, prove their skills and create a solid base for their development.

 “This is the biggest photography contest in Vietnam.  Great prizes.  Great photographers.  Tough conditions. Tight deadlines.  It’s an incredible day, and it lured me in last year and pit my skills against 5000 other contestants.  One of my shots under the Traditional Market theme even got the nod from our judging panel of top-photographers from around the country.  One year on, I still receive requests for photography and have expanded both my client base and my professional skills behind the camera,” said Tang My Thi, the grand prize winner of Canon PhotoMarathon 2016 in HCMC

Canon PhotoMarathon is open for registration from 5^th September, 2017 at www.canon.com.vn/photomarathon. More information and activities about this year’s contest are also provided.

Heading in to its 12^th staging, Canon PhotoMarathon now lists generations of successful photographers among its combatants.  As always, the themes of the day’s shooting will be kept confidential until the morning of the event, ensuring an interesting challenge and a level playing field for participants to unleash their photographic creativity.  The nature of the event has seen the number of contestants increase each year, with 9,045 taking part in 2016.

In addition to the three events, there will also be an online component to this year’s challenge for those unable to attend.

Similar to previous years, the judges of Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 will be Justin Mott and Nguyen Hai Dong, who will be joined by photographer Hai Thanh (Do Thanh Hai) for his first time in the PhotoMarathon judging booth.

Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 will also deliver:

• The chance to have your own Canon products with exclusive discounts.
• Free testing and maintenance of Canon cameras and lenses.
• Exclusive workshop with judges Hai Dong and Hai Thanh to improve photographic knowledge.
• Interact with sponsors such as Western Digital, San Disk and Asus at their booths.
• Performances from top singers in Vietnam such as Soobin Hoang Son (in Da Nang), Noo Phuoc Thinh (in HCMC), Son Tung MTP and Da Lab (in Hanoi).

Prove your skills at Canon PhotoMarathon 2017

The pressure-packed day-long shooting assignment will serve up a variety of challenges for its contestants, asking them find the creativity and talent within themselves, and break the limits all that they thought they could achieve with their cameras.  It’s a themed contest all about capturing beautiful moments without a moment to spare!  This year will also allow flying cameras and drones to be used (excluding mobile phones).

Contestants will need to be present for assignments at:

1. First assignment: 08:00 – 08:30
2. Second assignment: 11:00 – 11:30
3. Third assignment: 14:00 – 14:30

All photos must be submitted within the time allotted for each assignment. All photos shall be judged basing on the following criteria:

• creativity in theme interpretation,
• composition of photograph,
• use of colors and light/shadows effects
• relevance to the assignment.

Prizes and the talent foundation

Other than showing their creative skills and exchanging experiences with other contestants, winners stand to receive very attractive prizes. The total prizepool value is VND 1,4 billion over the three cities – making it the ‘richest’ PhotoMarathon ever.

• Grand prize: All expenses paid Canon Photomarathon Asia Championship 2018 trip in Japan, 01 Canon EOS 6D Mark II (body) and 01 Canon PIXMA Pro 100.
• 3 First, Second and Third prizes: Each First prize includes: 01 Canon EOS 77D + EF-S18-55mm IS STM and 01 PIXMA TS8070. Each Second prize includes: 01 Canon EOS 800D+ EF-S18-55mm IS STM and 01 PIXMA G2000. Each Third prize includes: 01 Canon EOS M6+ EF-15-45mm IS STM and 01 PIXMA MG3670.

Canon PhotoMarathon 2017 will also give away some special prizes:

• Special Prize for best photo taken by Canon EOS M series
• People’s Choice Photo voted via SMS.

Three special prizes for the online contest will be announced at the end of November 2017, based on likes and votes from online viewers. Special prizes for 3-online-day-contest is 01 Canon EOS M5+ EF-15-45mm IS STM for each location.