Update on the AIPP Silver Linings awards is that my image managed to get second place in the newcomer section.  A great achievement I think in my first time in the competition.  Now to find something for next years awards!

Ferguson_B_Portrait_1_Finalist

I joined the Australian Institute of Professional Photographers this year as a General Member as I was keen to participate in their awards system and also to add to my learning about photography.  Due to COVID-19, all of their competitions have been cancelled this year so they have generated the "silver lining awards" in their place.  I entered four images in the portrait section of the "Newcomer" section and two of my images were announced as semi-finalists.  Since then, "The Schoolmistress" has been announced as a finalist with the placings being announced on July 30th.  It's a big achievement for me given that this is my first time in but as always there is more work to be done.

Ferguson_B_Portrait_1_Finalist

I have continued on with my Obscura Series which involves using a medium between the camera and the model to create an interesting effect and forces the viewer to think more about what is behind the layer.  It has an interesting reaction of frustrating some viewers because they cannot view the beauty that they perceive to be there.  For others it forces them to ask more questions like "why?" or to view the image in a different way to which they would ordinarily do so.  I love the different mediums that the series is challenging me to use.  Sometimes glass, sometimes plastic and sometimes other sources but each of them achieving the same goal of creating a barrier between the viewer and subject.  More to come from this series. FrozenPart of the #obscuraseries