When we think of eSports there are these images in our heads. It is a great achievement to perfectly capture a moment and make it stick in the audience's mind. Our best eSports photographers shape the way that we look at eSports. In the category eSports photo of the Year, the eSports Award honors these pictures and their authors.

We received 43 entries from 10 different countries in this category, all of them exceptional in their own right. Thanks to all who entered their pictures. The winner of this category will be voted by the eSports Award Academy end of July, and is to be announced late August.

The Nominees for the eSports Photo of the Year 2009

(previews cropped, click to see full version)

	Title: Fly100% enjoys unique PGL victory Photographer: Jonas Gebhardt Date: 01/10/2009 Camera: Canon EOS 400D Website: myMYM.com
	Title: Moon defeated Photographer: Laurent Prost Date: 11/09/2008 Camera: Canon EOS 40D Website: eSportsfrance.com Description: This picture was shot on November 9th, 2008, in Cologne, during the press conference right after the Warcraft 3 grand final of the WCG. I think this is a very emotional picture, even more so when you are used to seeing Moon remaining imperturbable in all situations. In my opinion, the Dutch flag laid in front of him makes the picture even stronger than if Grubby was directly on it.
	Title: Come on guys! Photographer: Laurent Prost Date: 05/23/2009 Camera: Canon EOS 40D Website: eSportsfrance.com Description: This picture was shot on May 23rd, 2009, in Paris, at the French Qualifier for DreamHack Summer 2009. The subject of the picture is a Belgian CS:S player, Kévin "Ex6TenZ" Droolans, playing for redLine. redLine was engaged in a very tough semi-final versus Essential, and every round scored was accompanied by loud cries of the winning team. I just love the way Ex6TenZ's cry emerges out of the blurred mass, showing all his determination. redLine eventually won the game 16-7, after a tense first half (8-7) and before losing to VeryGames in the grand final after two overtimes. (by Laurent Prost of www.eSportsfrance.com)
	Title: Ed Ma Loss Photographer: Kara Leung Date: 06/06/2009 Camera: FujiFilm FinePixS2Pro Website: getyourtournament.com Description: Ed Ma after his set loss at the Super Battle Opera Qualifiers finals (by Kara Leung of www.getyourtournament.com)
	Title: eSports Love Photographer: Gennadii Veselkov Date: 11/08/2008 Camera: Nikon D3 Website: gameinside.ua Description: Cassandra near the scene is watching Grubby's game at the final of WCG 2008 (by Gennadii Veselkov of www.gameinside.ua)

Tomorrow we will announce the nominees for the Scene Journalist Award 2009. Nominations for all player and team categories will be announced on Thursday. Already announced:

• Nominees Best eSports Coverage 2009
  
• Nominees eSports Player of the Year 2009