Photography Success

Better late than never.

I had two successes with my photography in the last few months.  I meant to blog about them at the time, but I was too busy photographing and whatnot to get around to it.

Back in July last year (2011) when I was also clearly too busy to blog, I entered a little photography competition run by Nikon, the manufacturer of my camera.  Its a monthly competition, with different themes each month and nice prizes like lenses and filters and such.  I enter every now and again, if I can think of something creative to do with the theme of the month.

I entered the following photograph into the 'shadows' theme;

'Museum Corner'

This is a corner of the Museum of Liverpool. I liked this shot because the seagull sort of blends in to the wall of the museum, whereas its shadow stands out more clearly as the subject of the shot.

My submission was shortlisted and members of the public were invited to vote for their favourite to win the competition.  I didn't win, but was genuinely delighted to have been shortlisted in the first place.

Almost a year later I was surprised to hear from the competition team;

Dear Brian, 

You may recall that back in July your image was named one of our runners up in the Nikon In-Frame Photo Competition for the theme ‘shadows’. Having been most impressed by your submission, we now have further exciting news for you! 

The highly esteemed Getty Images gallery, based in the heart of London’s West End, is to host an exhibition showcasing the best in Nikon ‘In-frame’ photographic talent from the past year.  Having supplied Getty with hundreds of entries to choose from, we are delighted to inform you that your image has been hand-selected by the gallery to feature in the exhibition which will run from 10^th September – 6^th October 2012 – congratulations! 

We would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that Nikon will be hosting a private view at the Getty Images gallery to celebrate the work of all selected photographers featured in this exhibition. More details will be sent to you shortly 

Once again, please accept our congratulations on this fantastic achievement.

Yours sincerely,

Amy 

Amy Austen 

E-commerce and Communications Executive 

Nikon UK

Hand selected indeed! Having been genuinely delighted to have been shortlisted in the first place, I was amazed to have this new honour!

The private view at the gallery was fantastic - champagne reception, man in black bow tie checking one's name off on the guest list, canapés, chatting with all the other amateur photographers about the collection.

Here I am with my photo, proud as can be!

Now, as if that wasn't enough to give me a big head, I had another photograph shortlisted in another competition at the same time as the gallery exhibition!

I had entered the following photograph in a competition at the Albert Dock;

'Colour Wheel'

When I noticed the Wheel of Liverpool was lit up in multicoloured lights I just had to go out and photograph it.  I found a little spot where I could get close enough to the water of one of the docks to get this shot.  I particularly love the chain in the foreground, cutting a crisp break in the reflected wheel.

Protected from the noise of the city by the high walls, it was eerily silent near the bottom of the slipway where I stood to get this shot. Suddenly two ducks suddenly popped up to the water's surface right in front of me. They might have frightened the life out of me, but they also caused ripples in the water, subtly changing the effect of the reflection. Thanks ducks!

When the Albert Dock opened their competition, I knew this photograph would be my best shot.  With so many photographers focussing on the buildings of the dock itself, I thought I would need something different to stand out from the crowd.

And it worked, because the photograph was shortlisted from nearly 600 entries.  The 20 photographs on the shortlist were displayed in restaurants around the Albert Dock, and open for a public vote to choose the winner.  Mine was displayed at Gusto;

Here I am, proud again.  And stuffed too, since a celebratory meal was in order!

I didn't win in the public vote, but once again I am just so delighted to have been shortlisted!

Once the gallery changed exhibition, and the competition was closed, both teams let me keep my photographs, so I'll be starting a little gallery of my own in my apartment hallway!  2012 was a great year for my photography hobby - what will 2013 hold?