Patrick Baz is French-Lebanese photojournalist, born in Beirut in 1963. "He was twelve when war broke out in Lebanon in 1975," reads a World Press Photo biography. "Living not far from the line of demarcation separating the Christian and Muslim zones, Baz was stimulated by what was going on around him to take up photography at an early age. Lebanon became his training ground."

In 1989, Baz joined Agence France-Presse, covering the First Intifada in Gaza and the West Bank, the First Gulf War in 1990, and later conflicts in Kurdistan, Somalia, and Sarajevo. "Baz became Middle East photo manager for AFP in 1996, but continued to cover conflict zones, serving as AFP bureau chief in Baghdad from 2002 to 2003."

As one of the judges in the first round of judging at World Press Photo, Baz shared some tips to future entrants to the prize. Here are some of his best insights, shared on Twitter. You can follow Patrick Baz at @Patrick_Baz

WPP tips: when you read a category read it carefuly. Spot News and NOT Sport News. #2012WPPh

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: when you shooting with a pocket camera there is an option that doesn't allow the date to appear on the picture. #2012WPPh

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: no matter how many kids your wife has delivered, jury members are not interested in seeing every and each of them. #2012WPPh

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: don't tell your butcher you gonna make him famous. Even if you turn his slaughter house black and white you won't. #2012WPPh

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: if you r not sure about the category u want to submit your pix, just leave them on ur desktop. Daily Life isn't a dump #2012WPPh

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips:a washed out black and white picture of your garden dwarf will notmake u win a World Press #2012WPPh #photojournalism

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: a story isn't about the 12 frames / second you shot with your high speed motor drive. #2012WPPh #photojournalism

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: Daily Life category isn't about yours. #2012WPPh #photojournalism

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tip: If you have an issue with your pets no need 2 submit their pix. Members of the jury don't want to know. #2012WPPH #photojournalism

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 29, 2012

WPP tips: do not copy pix that won the year before. You'll never make it to the 2nd round. Be creative. #2012WPPh #photojournalism

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 29, 2012

WPP tips: The WPP isn't a lottery where u buy tickets in different categories with the hope of winning #2012WPPH

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 31, 2012

WPP tips: the jury doesn't mind looking at pix of your GF nude but that will not help you win a World Press #2012WPPH

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 31, 2012

WPP tips: if your mom found your pix from the Arab spring very impressive it doesn't mean the jury will. #2012WPPh #photojournalism

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) January 30, 2012

WPP tips: if pixel isn't moved or cloned pic can be considered not manipulated #2012WPPH

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) February 2, 2012

Chairman Aidan Sullivan showing off T-shirt @DavidMFriend1 #2012WPPH twitter.com/Patrick_Baz/st…

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) February 2, 2012

One week at the WPP and I gained 3kg (in weight) and 3 kg of books couldn't imagine a better treatment. #2012WPPH

— patrickbaz (@Patrick_Baz) February 1, 2012