HTC One Hot Press Photojournalist finalists announced

The shortlist has been finalised in the HTC One Hot Press Photojournalism competition. And the good news is that 12 entrants in all have been shortlisted, rather than the ten originally promised!

All of the photographers on the shortlist receive a HTC One handset, and will be invited to strut their photojournalistic stuff at the upcoming HTC "Most Personal Experience" Royseven gig, which takes place at a secret location in Dublin on Wednesday May 16...

"For everyone who was involved in the judging process, this is one of the toughest competitions we've ever run," said Hot Press editor Niall Stokes. "The standard of the entries was extraordinarily high and there was also a great diversity, in terms of style and subject matter. There was a lot of agonising and much debate before the final list was agreed – and so it is important to say that there are really good photographers who have not been shortlisted. But that is in the nature of these things."

There were no age restrictions involved, and so in true democratic Hot Press style, young photographers were pitched against more experienced ones. Overall, there was more than enough quality from some of the younger entrants to confirm that the future of the photographic arts is in good hands.

"The decision, in the end, to shortlist 12 entrants reflects just how good the quality was overall and how difficult the process of elimination became. But HTC have been been brilliant partners throughout and they agreed to provide the extra phones – and so there is a great mix in the dozen contenders that are still in the frame as we go into the final round."

Lisa Duggan of HTC commented, "HTC is delighted to partner Hot Press in this search for journalistic talent as it gives the winners a chance to explore the amazing camera and authentic sound of the HTC One series in an up close and most personal way. We look forward to seeing the video and photos taken at gigs across the summer and in particular at our kick off intimate gig with the brilliant Royseven which takes place on Wednesday 16". Keep an eye on Twitter for @hotpress @ilikeHTCOne and @Royseven mentions or on [link]www.facebook.com/htcie[/link].

Now it's down to what the select crew of 12 can conjure at the HTC Most Personal Experience gig. Either way, with their brilliant new HTC One handsets to play with, they are all winners.

The full shortlist of finalists, in alphabetical order, reads: Sean Conroy, Sophia Harding, Rachel Hegarty, Adrian Heffernan, Eoin Kirwan, Emilia Krysztofiak, Matt Loughrey, Robert Manning, Beatrix Matthews, Tommy McArdle, Martina McDonald, and Ronan Melia.