Last night we chose one random commenter from Facebook and one from Fstoppers and we put both names in a hat. We drew one name out to determine the winner, and the winner is...
Congratulations Jayce Giddens! Jayce is both a professional photographer and a full-time high school photography teacher in Corvallis, OR. We will be meeting Jayce in-person in Dubai on February 10-17 for Photo Week at Gulf Photo Plus, and if you're attending this year as well, we look forward to seeing you there, too.
This will be our second time attending GPP, and below you can check out an inspirational video we produced during our first trip that shows just how much there is to learn from the instructors.
Never had a beer in Dubai...
malaysia go go go... bolehh..!
hope to be in the hat when it comes
To get away from the cold and learn from the best.
I would be honored to go on behalf of the greater fstoppers community and give Lee a hard time in person about his iphone fetish and numerous associated articles. #representin
Of course, that I've spent the last two years building and honing my portfolio and am getting ready to start getting it out there coincides nicely with the timing of this event. But really, if you pick me, it should be because of the first reason.
I urgently need to go there.
Doesn't get any better than GPP!
What an opportunity to meet Instructors like Von Wong or Locardi - and you, of course - in one city... and what a city it is! I'd love to join you!
GPP is a world class event with world class photographers.
It's like going to NYC and being able to meet your hero's face to face, and even better still, watch them work, and work WITH them.
There's nothing else like this that exists... Lessons from Tiger woods? No. Acting classes with Christopher walken? I don't think so...
Spending time with the likes of Heisler, Arias, McNally and Hobby + all this year instructors... Absolutely.
THAT is why I want to go.
I want to meet Zack Arias and be in the presence of that majestic beard!
For a good time....
Never travelled outside Europe and this trip seems to good to be true.
I would love to go to Dubai and learn and experience the whole event!
I'd love to attend not only for the great educational opportunity, but I'd totally use this trip to spearhead a new personal project and start that with Dubai as one of the featured backdrops!!
Wouldn't mind if I did win :)
This would be life changing and I would be very grateful for the opportunity.
It's been a long, difficult, stressful year and I haven't had time to spend much of it on photography. I'd love this opportunity!
would really appreciate an opportunity like this...
especially after a rough year 2016
because i NEVER win anything! lol. Pick me because i'm madly fascinated by the people of the emirates, their culture, food and the incredible architecture there. david hobby's travel photo special on Lynda all got me all inspired to shoot the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque!
OHHHHHH! Pick me up in Switzerland :-). It's just a small detour ;-). I would love to meet you and Patrick again!
Have been wanting to go to GPP for several years now... list of instructors is always insanely good.
Winning this trip would be a dream. This year has been a dog show. It'd be great to kickstart 2017 by attending such a spectacular event.
This trip would be more valuable than the Sheikh's gold and more sensational than the most vibrant spice of Dubai!
What an opportunity. Lets GO!!!
When I win can I also bring my quad copter?
Who would turn down a change to meet other great photographers and explore Dubai.
Go to Dubai, and die in peace ...Happy New Year Fstoppers team
I'd so love to win this. If only I didn't have school that week.
I'd love to go there to open new contacts a new country and meet some international people from all over the world.
Dubai was my dream destination way before I was into photography. Now that I am, it's still my dream destination. I love the skyscrapers and the morning fog. I don't get to travel as much as I would like to (Like most of us). It would be an amazing opportunity!
I could never afford to travel and experience such a wonderful new part of the word. As a new father and small business owner, Traveling the world, was a dream that I have had to put on the back-burner. It would be invaluable for me to learn from some of the most prestigious names in the industry. I thank you, for even offering me and many others like me, the simple opportunity, to even enter into a contest to win such an amazing experience.
I would love to visit Dubai.
Hey Guy. I just got laid off and have time to travel and work on my photography. I would love to go with you on this trip. Thanks Fstoppers for the chance to go.
So will this mean there will be an fstoppers party?
Having the opportunity to go, would be the joy to what has been a most challenging year.
I´ve never won anything in my whole life
2016 has been a year full of personal fear and self sabotage and I need 2017 to be a successful year in positive momentum and happiness. Maybe, I need a new experience, a new perspective. I need to learn more, from like-minded people and professionals. I have no idea what I'm doing with my life at the moment, which is a scary place to be. All I know is that I love photography, learning and traveling. I'm trying not to say that you should pick me but, uh, you should pick me. Haha.
im in, let me go!
Because I haven't had an awesome photo trip since the Fstoppers Bahamas Workshops. GPP would be another awesome experience,too, for sure!
Dubai has always fascinated me and this would certainly be a once in a lifetime opportunity were I to be fortunate enough to get to go. I apprentice that you are giving someone a chance to go.
I'm the droid you're looking for.
My two previous trips to the gulf area were in uniform. I would love to visit that part of the would again as a tourist and have time to interact with and photograph their amazing architecture and people.
I live in the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountains, but by February I would be be very grateful for some warm sunny weather. More importantly, attending the GPP event regardless of where it is located would be a fantastic opportunity for anyone with a passion for photo imaging and hanging with like-minded individuals. Deciding which workshops to attend would be tough, but I would most likely consider
Zack Arias as one of my top choices. Thank you for the opportunity to win this prize. ~Steve
I would like to attend GPP to simply see others works and to be in the great city of Dubai that everyone talks about. I've only seen it in pictures and movies but to be there in person would be a great experience. Until my recent trips this past year I haven't really experience what it is to travel and see different cultures. It would be great to visit the other side of the world, see what it has to offer and to attend the workshops of great photographers. This could be the trip that takes my photography to the next level. I know I have the eye for it and with a little bit of mentor-ship and steering me in the right direction, I will become a superb photographer. I without a doubt know this would a life-changing experience for me.
I'm from Belgium, so a flight ticket will be cheaper to give ;)
The opportunity to meet Zack , yes I definitely want to go.
I would love to attend some workshops of Joe McNally. Admire his work so much!
Awww! But I was going into Tosche Station to pick up some pocket wizards!!!... but I'll go to Dubai instead if you insist.
Busman's holiday..' watching' instead of 'doing' after 35 years I could do with a holiday.
Big fan of Peter Hurley, Joe Mac Nally, Gregory Hesler.... and I love architecture photography.... so I'd love to be part of that chabang trip
Thank you Fstoppers! I am so honored and lucky! This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I can't wait!
Well done Jayce on winning the trip - you seem like someone who will enjoy it.
What is the purpose of GPP?
Given it's location and ticket prices is it just for rich people?
Many people on that side of the world attend and without the cost of the flight, the prices for the classes are actually extremely cheap. In many cases they are less than 50% of the cost by the same instructor here in the states.