Gute Nachrichten: Letzte Woche erreichte mich am Mittwoch Vormittag eine Mail, die mit den folgenden Worten begann:

Dear Stephan Fürnrohr

We would like to personally congratulate you on making it to a very select short list of photographers in the Nature and Wildlife category of the 2011 Sony World Photography Awards Open competition.

In total, 51,878 images were entered, by over 17,500 photographers from 162 countries. Your work has stood out above the rest and has been rated amongst the top ten photographers, in your category, by the Honorary Judging Committee of this year's Awards. This is a huge achievement - congratulations.

The shortlist and your name was announced to the international press yesterday. The winner of each category will be announced in March and the overall winner will be announced on the 27th April at the Sony World Photography Awards ceremony in London.

By being shortlisted, your image will be exhibited at the SWPA exhibition in London as well as be printed in the official 2011 SWPA Book.

Das bedeutet wohl, dass mein Bild "Dunes" in der offenen Kategorie des renommierten SWPA (Stern: "Oscar der Fotografie") im Bereich "Nature & Wildlife" zu den 10 Nominierten für 2011 gehört - wow!

Liebe Jury, ich fühle mich geehrt. :-)