The one thing I’ve really loved about being a photographer is there is always something new around the corner. Whether that be a new face, a new concept or a new challenge…the constant is ever changing. I always try to be creative, and step outside the box whenever I shoot something different. Thing is, I’m pretty comfortable shooting the families, newborns and kids I have the pleasure of meeting. I get immense satisfaction out of the end result and my client’s delight when they see their images, is what keeps me doing what I do. Satisfaction.
However, sometimes, just sometimes, I often wonder how my images stack up with the rest of the competition around town. Do they measure up to those that have been doing this for much longer then I? Do my images represent the cream of the crop to those other then my clients (and of course my beloved friends and family)? Do they achieve the quality that a professional should exhibit? In a quest to answer I decided to enter the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) QLD state print awards, the judging of which was held this past weekend.
Now talk about stepping out of your comfort zone! I had no idea where to begin…specifically not a clue about how to enter (procedural stuff) and what to enter (important stuff). With the help of some of my lovely photographer friends I set about selecting three images (which turned into four), made sure they were as perfect as I could make them, got them printed and mounted and then set about dropping them off to the judging headquarters. However, entering the awards isn’t about just ‘dropping them off’, it’s about the whole experience and that includes attending the judging (if possible of course).
Picture this – 5 judges, all industry leaders and top photographers from around Qld and Australia, sitting at a table with their electronic score cards, starring at this wall with a little flip-around door waiting for the next print to turn around. As they sit there, I watch the big television screen (to the judges backs) and see my image pop up as the next one to be judged! Eeeekkkk I tell you. Butterflies a plenty; heart a pounding…holding my friend Fo’s hand ever so tightly (thank you sweets), I wait for it to flip around. Would they or would they not get up to examine the print closer (getting up to look at the print is a very good sign)…they get up *squeezes Fo’s hand even tighter*; they all get up to take a look. They sit back down. They score the image and in a time that felt like forever, I’m told “Silver award”. Sigh. Finally I could breath.
As cliche as it sounds, winning an award isn’t everything, and it’s certainly not why I entered. I wanted to see how my images would stack up and I’m very pleased to note that all four of my images scored well within the “professional standard” category. So, whilst I only scored an award on one of my 4 images, I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. Besides, it gives me something to strive for next year.
The whole experience was both wonderful and inspirational – a true learning experience, because, the talent poole was AMAZING! I can’t wait to enter again next year…until then, I thought, if you got this far, you deserved to see my image…
by nicolera
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