MY BEST EVER RESULT !
04th March 2011
Yes, unbelievable news this morning. In the 98th Southampton International Exhibition of Photography,
I was awarded a FIAP Gold medal in Monochrome for "Barber to the Famous",
another FIAP Gold medal for "At Home with Che" - voted Best Environmental Portrait,
a Southampton Camera Club Medal for "The Kitchen",
a Southampton Camera Club Certificate of Merit for "In the Bedroom" and, finally,
a Southampton Camera Club Certificate of Merit for "Prize Fighting Cocks"
Results: http://www.southamptoninternationalexhibition.co.uk/SIE2011Results.aspx
Slide show: http://www.southamptoninternationalexhibition.co.uk/ImageGallery2011/ImageGallery.html
To place these awards in context, here is a quote from Southampton Camera Club website:
"The Southampton Camera Club was formed in 1896 and has been running its annual International Exhibition for nearly 100 years. Our 2011 International has attracted well over 11,000 entries from more than 60 countries around the world, confirming our position as one of the largest photographic salons in the United Kingdom."
This result has eclipsed all the others and set new standards within our club and nationally. I don't ever remember anyone winning two FIAP Gold Medals, a Salon Gold and two Certificates of Merit in one International salon - hopefully it will be a while before this record is broken.
Last year I achieved a few multiple awards in salons. In the Tallaght Photographic Society 2010 International Salon I received two FIAP ribbons, in the 5th French Digital Tour I received a PSA Silver medal, an Image Sans Frontiere Gold medal and one FIAP ribbon and in Smethwick International Exhibition of Photography I received seven Highly Commended awards. This year I was awarded a FIAP ribbon and two Honourable Mentions along with 51 acceptances in the Great British Small Print Circuit 2011.
Quite often, even when you know you have done well, you find yourself holding your breath while you check if any other Irish photographer has in fact bettered your result. It's a good feeling to be at the top instead of being the "bridesmaid" !
In our club, you're only as good as your last win and at times that does not last long. Because members are entering salons all over the world the chances are that your win will be eclipsed by yet another member's success. When you scroll down the rolls of honor in salons and stop at Ireland you suddenly realize what level our photography is at. There are a number of very accomplished Irish photographers who feature regularly in international salons (some too often ! ) but we rightfully deserve to be at the top - mixing it with the best in the world !
Having talked to another very successful photographer who had two acceptances in the same salon I was motivated to look back at the first time I entered this salon. In 2005 I entered the 92nd Southampton Camera Club International Exhibition of Photography with 4 colour and 4 monochrome prints - I received 1 acceptance (just in and no more). In 2006 I achieved 4 acceptances (out of 8 entries) - this time I was awarded a Certificate of Merit. In 2007 I was back down to 1 acceptance. In 2008 I had 3 acceptances. I didn't enter in 2009 or 2010.
In the meantime I entered many more salons and gained more experience. I was more comfortable with my photography and my status was growing within a very competitive club - the experienced members played a very big part in the whole education process. Luck does come into it - the "rub of the green" as some call it. I never imagined I would ever win two FIAP Gold medals in the one salon. I felt very lucky with my first in Edinburgh last year and now I am on a high - all legal, of course !
So now I feel it is time to spread my wings and enter my pictures further afield - a further test to see how they might be received in the Far East and America....
I was awarded a FIAP Gold medal in Monochrome for "Barber to the Famous",
another FIAP Gold medal for "At Home with Che" - voted Best Environmental Portrait,
a Southampton Camera Club Medal for "The Kitchen",
a Southampton Camera Club Certificate of Merit for "In the Bedroom" and, finally,
a Southampton Camera Club Certificate of Merit for "Prize Fighting Cocks"
Results: http://www.southamptoninternationalexhibition.co.uk/SIE2011Results.aspx
Slide show: http://www.southamptoninternationalexhibition.co.uk/ImageGallery2011/ImageGallery.html
To place these awards in context, here is a quote from Southampton Camera Club website:
"The Southampton Camera Club was formed in 1896 and has been running its annual International Exhibition for nearly 100 years. Our 2011 International has attracted well over 11,000 entries from more than 60 countries around the world, confirming our position as one of the largest photographic salons in the United Kingdom."
This result has eclipsed all the others and set new standards within our club and nationally. I don't ever remember anyone winning two FIAP Gold Medals, a Salon Gold and two Certificates of Merit in one International salon - hopefully it will be a while before this record is broken.
Last year I achieved a few multiple awards in salons. In the Tallaght Photographic Society 2010 International Salon I received two FIAP ribbons, in the 5th French Digital Tour I received a PSA Silver medal, an Image Sans Frontiere Gold medal and one FIAP ribbon and in Smethwick International Exhibition of Photography I received seven Highly Commended awards. This year I was awarded a FIAP ribbon and two Honourable Mentions along with 51 acceptances in the Great British Small Print Circuit 2011.
Quite often, even when you know you have done well, you find yourself holding your breath while you check if any other Irish photographer has in fact bettered your result. It's a good feeling to be at the top instead of being the "bridesmaid" !
In our club, you're only as good as your last win and at times that does not last long. Because members are entering salons all over the world the chances are that your win will be eclipsed by yet another member's success. When you scroll down the rolls of honor in salons and stop at Ireland you suddenly realize what level our photography is at. There are a number of very accomplished Irish photographers who feature regularly in international salons (some too often ! ) but we rightfully deserve to be at the top - mixing it with the best in the world !
Having talked to another very successful photographer who had two acceptances in the same salon I was motivated to look back at the first time I entered this salon. In 2005 I entered the 92nd Southampton Camera Club International Exhibition of Photography with 4 colour and 4 monochrome prints - I received 1 acceptance (just in and no more). In 2006 I achieved 4 acceptances (out of 8 entries) - this time I was awarded a Certificate of Merit. In 2007 I was back down to 1 acceptance. In 2008 I had 3 acceptances. I didn't enter in 2009 or 2010.
In the meantime I entered many more salons and gained more experience. I was more comfortable with my photography and my status was growing within a very competitive club - the experienced members played a very big part in the whole education process. Luck does come into it - the "rub of the green" as some call it. I never imagined I would ever win two FIAP Gold medals in the one salon. I felt very lucky with my first in Edinburgh last year and now I am on a high - all legal, of course !
So now I feel it is time to spread my wings and enter my pictures further afield - a further test to see how they might be received in the Far East and America....
Comments
By Ciaran: Superb result... and well deserved. Two golds!! Well done. By Wesley Law: Great Result Brian. Well done!! By Carol-Anne: Wonderful result, Brian -- congrats! By Lorraine: well deserved ... BIG congrats ;) By Morgan O'Neill: Hi Brian, Just went into the Southampton salon.....you stole the show here ...well done Brian. By Miriam: Fantastic result Brian, great to see your efforts duly appreciated - Congrats ! By Ian Hutchinson: Well done Brian, some cracking images. Was good to see you at the awards, hope you had a safe journey home.