The Microsoft Future Pro Photographer contest is a great contest put on for student photographers. If you are presently a student at a two or four year advanced degree institution and are over 18 years of age you are eligible to submit photos. If you are a college student this is an excellent contest to participate in and possibly win up to $20,000. Submissions are being accepted from March 1, 2009 to April 30, 2009 and the winner will be announced at the Microsoft Pro Photo Summit this July. The Grand Prize winner will receive $20,000 in addition to three of First Place winners in categories of Nature and Landscape; People and Portraits; and Sports and Photojournalism who also receive a cash prize of $3,000; all winners will receive a digital workflow prize package as well. - Thomas Hawk

Do you have to promise to be a pro in the future? - Stephen Mack

I don't think so Stephen :) - Thomas Hawk

I just saw this on the blog, I'm somewhat bewildered, this doesn't seem like a TH Post to me. There's not a single 'I' anywhere in the post, it seems like pure advertorial pimping than anything I've ever seen you do. I don't mind ya making a buck Thom but hell any time you've given good rep to a product it's been something you use and you can say good things about from a personal perspective... Something just doesn't seem right here. Thumbs down. - Sam Posten

"Future Pro" is just such a weird name for a contest, has a very '50s hovercar-with-tailfins kinda feel to it. - Stephen Mack

Sam, I didn't receive any money or compensation for this post. In fact I've never received money or compensation for any post period. The post was based on a press release on the contest that came from Edelman. I think more than most PR agencies they do a pretty good job at sending me targeted stuff. For what it's worth I do think it's great seeing Microsoft making a contribution to photography this way and did attend and enjoy (on my own nickel) their Pro photography summit last year. - Thomas Hawk

I don't know, I kind of like "Future Pro." The only thing is I think the future of photography is going to make it very very difficult for anyone to make a living at it. But I do think having a contest to encourage college students is a pretty positive thing overall. I'm going out shooting with some high school students tomorrow afternoon who are super passionate about photography. I love seeing that. - Thomas Hawk

@Thomas: The way certain groups of people see it: if one makes the mistake of writing something positive about the Microsoft he must be a paid shill or at least a worshipper of the Devil. :) For me this was interesting news to know, even though I'm not so much into photography (though I enjoy the results) - Jemm

I wonder if Thomas Hawk will enter... :o) - The Real sofarsoShawn

you've got to be a college student sofarsoshawn. If I were a college student though I would though. :) - Thomas Hawk

This is such a neat contest. - Mona Nomura

You mean you're not??? :) You look so young and devilishly handsome...& yeah cool to be seeing MS getting into this realm. - The Real sofarsoShawn

Oh, interesting... - Adriana E. Reyes