Action Photo School is hosting it’s largest competition ever!  The “Winter Action Photography Competition!”  We are looking for any and all exciting winter action sports images. The winning image will be selected based on content matter, composition, lighting, and overall appeal. The top three winners will win prizes from LumoPro, LumiQuest, Lensbaby, Orbis, Frio and OnOne Software.  Winner's images will be showcased on the APS webiste and will appear on several sponsors sites with full credit!!How to Enter:•All competitors must first register in the APS Forum to be able to post images. To register, click this link here. •After registering, upload images to this thread for immediate entry. All entries are final and images may not be replaced. •There are several methods for posting images in the thread. The preferred method is by posting direct from your flickr feed. Instructions for this are here. Don't have a Flickr account? Click "Attachments" and upload your JPEG image to the post as an attachment. • Upload images at 640px on the long edge and at 72dpi.And now for the good stuff!!!  The Prize Packages consists of:1st  Place:  $1047.84
-Choice between an LP160 Manual Flash (159.95) OR LP608 10ft Air Cushioned Stand(44.99)+LP621 Miniboom Reflector Arm(44.99)+Sandbag Combo  -OnOne Software Complete Suite (299.99) -Orbis RingFlash (199.00) -Lensbaby Composer Lens (250.00) -POW Gloves TransFilmer Photography Mittens (65.00) -LumiQuest LTp (49.00) -LumiQuest FXtra (16.95) -LumiQuest UltraStrap (7.95)2nd Place:  $582.81
-Choice between LP605 7.5ft Compact Stand (39.99) OR LP606 8ft Air Cushioned Stand (32.99)+LP633 Umbrella Swivel Combo (17.99) -OnOne Software Complete Suite (299.99) -Lensbaby $100 Gift Certificate -POW Gloves Pho-tog gloves (45.00) -Frio Cold Shoe (14.99) -LumiQuest Softbox III (46.95) -LumiQuest FXtra (16.95) -LumiQuest UltraStrap (7.95)3rd Place:  $472.86
-LP653 Studio Clamp w/double stud (19.99) +LP633 Umbrella Swivel Combo (17.99) -OnOne Software Complete Suite (299.99) -Lensbaby $50 Gift Certificate -POW Gloves Pho-tog gloves (45.00) -Frio Cold Shoe (14.99) -LumiQuest FXtra (16.95) -LumiQuest UltraStrap (7.95)
"LumoPro is a brand of lighting and studio equipment for amateur and professional photographers. We dedicate ourselves to the production of affordable and high-quality lighting and studio equipment. We strive to manufacture equipment that matches and goes beyond industry standards. We do this within strict budgetary limits so that photographers may put their time and money into what matters, the production of remarkable images."
"onOne Software, a leading developer of innovative software tools for photographers, develops timesaving software solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers. Photographers use onOne Software solutions to speed up their photo editing workflow and give their photos the professional look with just a few clicks—allowing them to spend more of their time behind the camera taking pictures instead of the computer workstation."
"Lensbaby is a Portland, Oregon based manufacturer of award-winning Creative Effects SLR camera lenses.  Lensbaby was launched in February 2004 by Craig Strong, a professional photographer and the inventor of the patented Lensbaby Creative Effects SLR lens system.  Lensbaby sells to photographers all over the world through its website, http://www.lensbaby.com, by calling 877-536-7222 / 971-223-5662, at tradeshows, in leading photo retailers and through a growing global network of international distributors. "
"The orbis® is a revolutionary new lighting accessory that uses a standard SLR flash gun as the source of light and power, turning the harsh light into beautiful, flattering shadowless light. Inspired by expensive studio lighting equipment, the orbis® is affordable, easier to use and more portable than traditional studio ring flashes. The orbis® has also been named "easily one of the best photography purchases I’ve made this year" by USA Today and has been featured on WIRED.com and gizmodo.com"
"LumiQuest is a line of 25 different light modifiers designed to solve real lighting problems in the field. All of our devices serve specific purposes by combining the photographers’ needs with the basic laws of physics to create simple, effective accessories that work."
"POW Gloves is committed to producing the finest performing hand-wear for the activities we love. Based in Seattle, Washington, POW is a global glove-specific brand with products for winter sports, biking/cycling, and golf. POW is one of the fastest growing glove brands with distribution in over 37 countries worldwide."
"The frio™ is the world's first and only universal hotshoe adapter with patent pending DualLock™ technology. Described as "miraculous" by WIRED.com, the frio™ is an essential tool for any serious imaging professional or keen amateur. It allows you to attach all your hotshoe gear to anything with a tripod stud, giving you the freedom to Connect, Combine, Create™. Lighting gurus David Hobby and Joe McNally have both replaced all their old traditional coldshoes with frios™!"Competition Rules (The small print you MUST read… : • All Images must be 640px on the long edge at 72dpi. Any editing adjustments are allowed exccept for extreme manipulation of the image (Replacing specific elements with parts from other images)  • Each competitor may enter up to 3 Images in the competition. If more than 3 are entered the competitor will be disqualified.  • All entries must be the entrant's own work. • Last day for submittals is February 15th, 2012 at 12PM MST. • Winners will be notified before 12PM MST on February 25th  • Competitors are welcome to submit images from any sport, but images must showcase some form of action taking place in winter elements.  All competitors images remain the sole property of the competitor, APS will only use winner's images on the Action Photo School website to showcase them as the winners • Sponsors will be allowed to use winner's images on their company website for no more than 6 months and only to showcase the photo as a winner of the competition.  All photos will display credit for photographer.  If you win, you will be asked to supply a model release for any persons in the image to make sure the athlete is comfortable with the image being showcased. • Winners will be announced on APS homepage, through sponsor's social accounts, the APS social accounts, and on the APS Facebook Page. • Any photo that doesn’t fit the competition guidelines in APS’ opinion is subject to removal and disqualification. • Registrants will be added to the sponsor’s e-mail lists for product updates. Subscriptions can be cancelled at any time. • Questions? Contact APS at editor@actionphotoschool.com