Blog Posts - Page 10 of 14 - Richard Spurdens Photography

And then it was Three !

London Salon Medal 2017

A bit of an unusual title for one of my posts, but – when you find that you have been awarded a Medal in the prestigious London Salon of photography), and it is your third, then I think it is worth posting with an offbeat title.

Over the years I have always tried to support the London Salon, which is dedicated to exhibiting only that class of photographic work in which there is distinct evidence of artistic feeling and execution.

The London Salon does not run under FIAP Patronage yet it receives entries from around the world, so to get an image accepted is a real achievement, and then to be awarded a medal is really a great result.

Blue Haired Beauty was from a beauty shoot with the Model Amber Tutton and features the make up artistry of Monica Montalvo.

This was the image that received the award of the Salon medal.

portrait photography - portrait photographer - colour portrait image of model with blue coloured hair — Richard Spurdens Photography -Blue Haired Beauty

I had another image accepted into the Salon too, which was from a location fashion shoot, Styled by Jen Brook, Design by Mishi May, MUA: Sopie Battersby, Millinary: Donna Graham, part of the Walters wardrobe team.

Couture Fashion Stairway Elegance (Designer Mishi May)

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Events, News

Photo London 2017

Just back from a visit to Photo London (18^th -21st May 2017) – this is a major international Photo Fair being held for the third year at Somerset House. Having attended the event last year, we decided to book again to visit this year’s fair.

The Photo London guide stated: ‘Photo London was created to give London an international photography event befitting the city’s status as a global cultural capital. Photo London has established itself as a world-class photography fair and as a catalyst for London’s dynamic photography community. From the capital’s major museums, to its auction houses, galleries large and small, right into the burgeoning creative communities in the East End and South London, Photo London harnesses the city’s outstanding creative talent and brings together the world’s leading photographers, curators, exhibitors, dealers and the public to celebrate photography, the medium of our time.’

There were as many galleries as last year, with some showing the work of emerging artists and others with new images by some of the big names in the field. I was particularly impressed with the black and white portraits taken by Yousuf Karsh . Certainly a highlight for me.

It was also good to see some prints of the work of Saul Leiter, certainly better than any of the images I have seen published in the books on his work.

David Hurn’s exhibition of images that he had obtained by swapping photographs with other photographers of his generation was another highlight too. The exhibition showed which images he had swooped alongside the image he obtained in return.

Photo London also had a program of talks and symposia each day which were curated by William A. Ewing, writer and a distinguished curator. Having missed out on last years talks, we booked early to listen to David Hurn in conversation with Martin Parr. This was certainly an informative and fun discussion, with David sharing stories of his early years in London.

As the Photo London Fair didn’t open until 12:00, we decided to make use of the morning and also visited the Courtauld Gallery which is right next to Somerset House. The first three images below are of the great Staircase that is a feature of this gallery.

A selection of images from the days visits:

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo London exhibition — Images from a visit to London on May 19 2017. Photo: Richard Spurdens …………Camera Data……….. Model:X-T2 Lens: XF18mmF2 R

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo london this one in monochrome showing visitors to the david hern swoops exhibition — Richard Spurdens Photography – photo london -Photo swap gallery Fuji X-T2 : XF18mm f2 R

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo london this one in colour capturing a man walking past fashion poster shot on the wall. he is engaged with reading his ticket — Richard Spurdesn Photography – photo london – views Fuji X-T2 XF18mm f2 R

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo london this one in monochrome of fashion images outside the pavillion gallery — Richard Spurdens Photography – photo london views – William Klein Image -Fuji X-T2 XF18mm f2 R

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo london this one in colour capturing a lady looking at the posts image on one of the outside walls — Richard Spurdens Photography – photo london series – Taking a text by the Dual Reality wall Fuji X-T2 XF18mm f2 R

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo london this one in colour showing the selection of images on the image wall by noh suntag — Richard Spurdens Photogarphy – photo london series – Dual Reality by Noh Suntag Fuji X-T2 XF18mm f2 R

travel photography - travel photograher - images from a visit to photo london this one in colour capturing a lady looking at her phone as she strides past the dual reality wall imagess — Richard Spurdens Photography – photo london series – Engrossed in the phone Fuji X-T2 XF18mm f2 R

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Events, General

Dragon boat racing

A chance to shoot some Dragon boat racing on the river Aire in Saltaire was too good to miss.

The event held at Roberts Park a World Heritage Site where the River Aire runs along the side of the park and gives a great vantage point to watch and photograph the close Dragon boat racing.

The Dragon boat racing event was billed as a team building event and the idea was that each team member would do there best to raise £50 for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal 2017 Charity: YoungMinds

As well as the boat racing there was a large number of landside attractions from stalls, food, bars and entertainment to live music and just so much more in a stunning spectacular, picturesque venue. It gave some good photographic opportunites:

So here are a few images from this years Dragon Boat racing event.

sport photography - sport photographer -colour image of dragon boat racing on the river aire at roberts park saltaire, image captures the dragon boats head — Richard Spurdens Photography – Dragon boat racing series – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

sport photography - sport photographer -colour image of dragon boat racing on the river aire at roberts park saltaire, a slow shutter speed was used together with panning to give a feel of the speed — Richard Spurdens Photography – Dragon boat racing series – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Having taken a few classic Dragon boat racing shots, I decided that the colours in the scene might provide something different and colourful absrtact images.

I set a challenge and started to use a slow shutter speed and then added on camera flash set to second curtain sync.

Playing with different slow shutter speeds gave a set of interesting and sometimes abstract images which I really liked.

As you can see below:

sport photography - sport photographer -colour image of dragon boat racing on the river aire at roberts park saltaire, slow shutter speed was used with panning of the camera to give an abstract effect and feel of speed — Richard Spurdens Photography – Dragon boat racing series – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

dragon boat racing abstract — Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

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Events, General

Madame Bink 2017 shoot (NSFW)

I have worked with Madame Bink a number of times over the years that I have been shooting models and I have always come away with some great images.

When working with Ivory Flame in January of this year she mentioned that Madame Bink (Bink) was working again, so I took the oppoutunity to set up another shoot with her.

Now the last time we shot together was at the first Walters Warbrode event which was a fashion theme shoot. It was therefore good to get to work with her again specifically in the art nude genre, although we did do some edgy fashion images too.

The sets I wanted to shoot were simple in terms of lighting. These sets were lit with a single studio strobe fitted with a rectanglar soft box. The softbox was also fitted with an egg crate grid to control the light spill, which gives good light and shadow areas on the body.

I chose to use some simple props – two wooden garden chairs and a small wooden table stool. There is a simple white hat with a black band that we added for a few of these shots. So really simple but make strong images I feel.

All that was then needed was the model to make strong Artistic Nude shapes and work into the light.

The results can be seem in the images below. Binky’s strong poses in this light setup stand out and this is one of the reasons I have always liked working with her.

Artistic Nude Images

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - single light monchrome image of model make shapes and angles on the edge of a wooden chair the light is playing along to edges of her legs and arms to make strong highlights on those areas and deep shadows in on the rest of her figure — Richard Spurdens Photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - single light monchrome image of model make shapes and angles on the edge of wooden chairs the light is playing along to edges of her legs and arms to make strong highlights on those areas and deep shadows in on the rest of her figure — Richard Spurdend Photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - single light monchrome image of model make shapes and angles on the edge of two wooden chairs the light is playing along to edges of her legs and arms to make strong highlights on those areas and deep shadows in on the rest of her figure — Richard Spurdens Photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

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Events, General

First Studio shoot of 2017

So here are a few images from my first studio shoot of 2017, featuring the model Ivory Flame. Now I have worked with Holly many times over the last few years and alway enjoy working with her as we alway seem to make great images. So when she contacted my in December of last year to say she was going to be in the Lakes, I decided it was about time that I worked with her again. I had some new ideas to work with and had a new jacket to shoot, so this seemed to de a good opportunity to try working with the ideas and the new jacket too. So following a few mails we agreed a convient date for working together which gave me my first studio shoot of 2017.

Here are a few of the images from our first set just using studio window light:

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portait head shot image of a red hair model — Richard Spurdens Photography – red haired beauty

Fashion Photography - Fashion Photographer - holly in the natural light — Richard Spurdens Photography – Holly in the natural light

Moving on to the new Military style jacket:

fashion photographer - fashion photography - monochrome image of model wearing a white military style jacket and black pants — Richard Spurdens Photography – White Jacket I

fashion photographer - fashion photography - model wearing a white jacket and black pants — Richard Spurdens Photography – Red hair whtie jacket

Followed by some natural light Artistic Nude images:

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - monochrome image of artistic nude model stood be a window which is giving soft even tones across her figure — Richard Spurdens Photography – Soft light nude

Another set was using Holly lovely Corset to do a tribute to Horst and his great black and white image of a designer Corset.

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - monochrome image of model seated on a tall seat she is wearing a laced corset and is holding the laces out to the side to make a pleasing shape with the laces — Richard Spurdens Photography – corset laces shapes

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - monochrome image using a single side light to illuminate the model fiqure and the corset she is wearing — Richard Spurdens Photography – corset series

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography monochrome image of models back and the corset lacing of the corset she is wearing — Richard Spurdens Photography – Lacing details

The final set form this first studio session of 2017 was using the edge of a sofa and some good patterned tights, with Holly making some great shapes in the light.

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - monochrome image of a model wearing black patterned tights leaning agains the arm of a settee and pushing up on her arms to give straight legs and a strong figure shape — Richard Spurdens Photography – Arching shapes

So thanks to Holly of a good start to 2017

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Events, Fashion, FIAP, General, News

2016 a year in review

I can’t really believe that we are at the end of another year, and again I have had a good year photographically so here is some of the highlights from my 2016.

Having a studio has been a real boon and I have worked with a number of new models there this year. We’ve created some great images, and also had good fun playing with different light approaches.

New models have included Amber M, Em Theresa, Katie Green and finally Nicky Philips. Also Marmalade – but not at my studio as we worked on location in the Pit in Nottingham. The other creative I had the pleasure to work with during the year was the Make Up Artist (MUA) Monica Montalvo. We created some pleasing beauty images working with the model Amber Tutton.

New Models images:

fashion photogarphy - fashion photographer - fashion with shadows — Katie Green – shadow patterns

dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of the model wearing a red leotard jumping and making a runing shape holding the rugby ball. — Richard Spurdens Photography – The sprint

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - model crouching in the window light on balls of her feet and holding her head in her hands exposed for the window light so models figure is in shadow — Richard Spurdens Photography – Crouching in the window light

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portait image of model topless looking across her shoulder back into the camera — Richard Spurdens Photography – model Nicky Philips

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - artistic nude model balanceing on a box with a panel to the left hand side making look she is on an L shape — Richard Spurdens Photography – Balancing on the L

I also worked again with Anita De Bauch, Elle Beth, Fredau H, Carla Monoco, and Amber Tutton. it is always good to work with models that you have worked with before, its a bit more relaxing as you know what they can do.

More models:

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour image of the model reflected in a the mirror with her red nails and hair shining brightly — Richard Spurdens Photography – Red nails blue eyes

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of the model with the patterns of the material creating shadows on her figure — Richard Spurdens Photography – Mischkan shadow patterns

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of model wearing a white textured top light by natural window light — Richard Spurdens Photography – Elle beth in natural light

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour image of the model wearign white tights seated on the floor with legs half crossed looking directly into the camera — Richard Spurdens Photography – Simple Fredua H

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portait head shot image of a subject wearing a white hat with a black rim and is looking directly into the lens — Richard Spurdens Photography carla m – white hat elegance – Fuji X-T1 – XF 56mm F1.2 R 1/ 125 sec @ F / 2.5

I have also supported Walters Wardrobe (Jen Brook) and her couture themed shoots at some great locations. These have included Allerton Castle and the vast stately home at Wentworth Woodhouse plus some other great locations too. The Wardrobe team included the MUAs Olivia Morewood and Abigail Pulleyn, with Jen doing the styling, sourcing outfits from the likes of Designer Sharon Bowen- Dryden.

Walters Wardrobe images:

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at sledmere hall — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot – Lady of elegance

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at allerton castle — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot at Allerton Castle,

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a white bridal dress and high hair — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour portrait image of kelly ann showing of the dress design and hair — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photography fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse house

This year I have also started a number of projects which I will feature early next year on this site. The main one has been “Reflected Leeds” which is about creating images of Leeds but using reflections.

I have also had a few trips to various different parts of the country to give talks on my work. These have included a visit to Smethwich photographic society and Bristol photographic society. Both are very prestigous societies so I was pleased to have been invited to present my work. Earlier in the year I attended the Arena Photographers weekend in Bournemouth, showing some of my “Perfecting the art of ” series of images on the Photo walk on the Saturday. These were well received by the delegates at the weekend.

The FIAP distinctions trail had been progressing, I received my EFIAP gold in June of this year, which was pleasing, however I have scaled back the number of exhibition I have been entering, only entering the ones that have good exhibition catalogues. I have managed to maintain a high rate of acceptances and have managed to pick up a few awards as well. I now need to get on with submitting my application for the EFIAP/ platiumn award.

A couple of visits to Spain were fruitful in terms of photography with some more interesting bull running images and other image opportunites. A visit to Glasgow in late October also produced some good images of the city architecture.

Other images from the year:

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour image of the subject looking up towards the light wearing a red beret — Richard Spurdens Photography – Red beret II

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portrait image of the victorian post mistress standing behind her counter in the victorian shop at the Black country museum — Richard Spurdens Photography – the post mistress

Travel Photography - travel Photograher - colour image of three surfers heading towards the sea carrying their boards — Richard Spurdens Photography – surfers in pembrokeshire

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of artistic nude model hold a vertical rope down the center of her figure with legs each side making strong shapes and arms gripping the rope each at an angle — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fine art nudes – elle beth with rope

Aerial Arts photographer - Aerial hoop photographer - Aerial Arts photography - colour image of aerialist on a red hoop and wearing a red leotard holding an aerial pose using hand one hand and inner leg — Richard Spurdens Photography – Aerial hoop shapes with Aerialist EM – Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: Canon EF 70-200 f2.8 1/125 sec @ f/ 5.6

fashion photographer - fashion photography - monochrome vintage fashion shoot with model wear a sixty style psychedelic designed dress hat and black shoes — Richard Spurdens Photography -Standing tall

Sport photography - sport photographer - colour image from the time trail stage from javea to calpe in spain. — Richard Spurdens Photography – time trail focus

Travel Photography - travel Photograher - images from a bull running festiveal in the port of Javea Spain — Richard Spurdens Photography – image from bull running in Javea Spain

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of artistic nude model standing on tiptoe in a square of window light comming from behind and the figure also been lit from the side again from a large window. — Richard Spurdens Photography – Elle Beth at The Natural light Studio

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - Blue dawn light Javea — Richard Spurdens Photography – Blue dawn light

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Equipment

Fuji XT-2 first images

My Fuji XT-2 arrived a week or so ago and I really need to get out and try it out.

So when an opportunity came along for a trip up to the Yorkshire Dales with my good friend Adrian of McFade photography I decided it was a good opportunity to take it out for its first airing.

We planned the day as a trip up to visit some iconic landscape areas in the Yorkshire Dales above Settle and then headed over towards Ribblehead. I had been wanting to go back to get some more images from around Ribblehead and impressive viaduct, in that location.

The day started out as a dry one, but then we had rain showers and then sunshine throughout the afternoon, which I hoped might give some interesting skies but perhaps not always the best way to try out your new camera.

However it was only showers so a quick cover up with a shower cap when it was raining at its most persistent worked well to keep the Fuji XT-2 and its lens dry.

So here are some of the images from my new Fuji XT-2

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - colour image of the line of cascading water the colour of Peat flowing down the weir and beyond — Richard Spurdens Photography – Water the colour of Peat III

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - water the colour of Peat I — Richard Spurdens Photography – Water the colour of Peat I

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - colour image of the peat coloured water cascading past the river height marker — Richard Spurdens Photography – Water level indicator

Using a slow shutter speed for these really help to bring out the water movement and peaty colours.

A short drive and a longer walk downhill to a well hidden water fall was worth the walk despite the walk back been in the rain.

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer -a single fern I — Richard Spurdens Photography – landscape photographer – A single fern

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - colour image of a few fallen leaves againts the flow of the stream of peat colours - the start of autumn — Richard Spurdens Photography – The start of autumn

Driving across to ribblehead gave a few opportunites to stop and get some images with the dry stone walls. Using the new Acros film simulation on the XT-2.

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - monochrome view to the -white-house — Richard Spurdens Photography – landscape photography – Fuji XT-2, Fuji XF 50-140 -60m,1/60s @ f4.0

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - dry stone walls lines plus a car — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fuji XT-2, Fuji XF 50-140 -50m1/60s @ f8.0

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - monochrome image of wire fence on top of a dry stone wall, using a shallow depth of field — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fuji XT-2, Fuji XF 50-140 -100m1/60s @ f2.8

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - monochrome image of large leaves starting to die back as autume approaches — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fuji XT-2, Fuji XF 50-140 -50m1/30s @ f3.2

Finally a few images towards the viaduct and across towards Ingleborough with it low clouds as a hat.

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - monochrome view to the ribblehead viaduct — Richard Spurdens Photography – landscape photography – view to the ribbleheas viaduct – Fuji XT-2, Touit 12mm 0.5s @ f 20.0

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - monochrome image of the limestone pavement in the foreground with the distant hill top shrouded in the clouds — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fuji XT-2, Fuji 18mm f2.0

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fuji XT-2, Fuji XF 50-140 -100m,1/60s @ f4.5

So what were my first impressions on using the new XT-2 ?

There were some really good improvements in the new version especially the increased number of focused points and the little joy stick which enabled you to quickly move the focus point to were you need it. Fuji seem to have listened to there users and made some good improvement in the focusing and easy of which you can move that around, the new film mode is also a gives a good feel to the images too.

I now need to try it out in the studio next.

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Events, Fashion, News

Walters Wardrobe at Wentworth House

The Venue.

Wentworth Woodhouse is a Grade I listed country house in the village of Wentworth, near Rotherham in South Yorkshire. With some 300 plus rooms it is the largest private house in the United Kingdom. It has also featured in a number of films and TV programs including Mr Turner (2014), and Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (2015).

The event:

And for one weekend It was also became one of the location for a Walters Wardrobe event run by Jen Brook. What a really impressive location for a fashion shoot, its was too. With some truly great locations and large rooms to shoot in, together with the large windows which were providing some wonderful natural light to work with. Together with the designer outfits that Jen sourced and brought together for the event.

The crew:

This Walters Wardrobe event featured the following models Carla Monoco, Mel Tougue, and Kerry Ann. Now I have worked with both Carla and Mel before so it was good to also to meet and get to work with Kerry Ann. The MUAs artists were Abigail Pulleyn, and Livvy Morewood, who both did a great job with the MU for the models. Giving them the distinctive look to match the outfits for this event.

The styling:

Jen had sourced the dresses by Joanne Flemming Design and Headpieces by HF Couture Bridal & Millinery Designer Accessories. For this Walter wardrobe event there was also two dancer in attendance Rachel Gittins, and Rocky Serg Widdowson. Both who worked hard to show some great dance moves and poses in the large ballroom area at the location.

dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of two dancers one male one female the male is performing a side lift of the female as she kicks her top leg into the air. in the background are two roman statues — Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photographer – High Kicks among the Statues

dance photographer - dance photography - two dancers one male one female in the center of a large tiled dance floor the female is performing a spin so her skirt is spinning out and the male is holding out a hand as if he was spinning her as a top — Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photography -Spins and patterns

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer -colour portrait image of kelly ann — Richard Spurdens Photography – portrait photography -The lady of Elegance

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model wearing a gold and brown design dress — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photographer – fashion shoot at wentworth woodhouse

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot a wentworth woodhouse featuring model lying on the floor in a gold and brown dress shot from above, she looking like she has fall to that place on the floor — Richard Spurdens Photography -fashion photographer – fashion shoot wentworth woodhouse

Thanks to Jen and the Walters Wardrobe team for another opportunitie to work in a great location with some great models. dancers and designer outfits too.

FIAP, News

EFIAP Gold

FIAP Distinctions for Photographic Merit

I’m delighted to have received notification this week that my application for the EFIAP Gold (EFIAP/g) award has been successful.

I have been entering International photographic salons run under the auspice FIAP for the last 6 years. Over that period, I have had success with gaining acceptances of my images in these salons around the world. I have also managed to pick up a number of awards too. These salons have provided me with an outlet for my work to be seen and shown internationally.

As I have pursued the FIAP salons trail I have seen inspiring work; I have met a number of good photographers; and made some new friends. I’ve been lucky to have travelled internationally as both an award winner and also as a judge.

EFIAP/g: Excellence FIAP Gold

So a year on from achieving my EFIAP Sliver (EFIAP/s), I have achieved the Gold award. This makes it my fifth FIAP distinction in consecutive years, which I feel is a good achievement.

As with my other blog posts about the FIAP distinction trail, EFIAP2013 and EFIAP/b 2014), EFIAP/s 2015, I will share some of the award winning images that were part of my successful EFIAP Gold application.

In my post about achieving my EFIAP Silver, I noted with some regret that FIAP in their wisdom had made major changes to these awards requirements for the following year, which made me question the rationale of continuing to enter international salons.

However later in the year at the FIAP conference, the changes introduced to all the requirements of the awards were revised again. On reviewing the changes, it made me decide to put in my application for EFIAP Gold as I had the required number of acceptances. I applied in December 2015 and was successful.

Below are the award winning images from my EFIAP Gold:

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portrait image of model with deep blue eyes — Richard Spurdens Photography – EFIAP Gold – Nordic Blue eyes

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - monochrome portait image shot in film noir style — Richard Spurdens Photography – EFIAP Gold – Nordic Blue eyes

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Events, General

Photo London

Photo London 2016

Photo London from the 19^th -22^nd May 2016 – held for the second year at Somerset house London. We had spotted the event a couple of months ago and booked some tickets. I wanted to see what it would had to offer. As a trip to visit Paris Photo was an option for a visit later in the year.

The guide stated: that they had brought together 80 of the world’s leading photographic galleries for this year’s fair. Galleries from around the world including countries like Ag Galerie | Tehran. Ayyam Gallery | Dubai – Beirut, BILDHALLE | Kilchberg / Zurich, CAMERA WORK | Berlin, amana (amanasalto / IMA gallery) | Tokyo. So this was going to be an eclectic mix of images

Photo London also had a program of talks and symposia each day which were curated by William A. Ewing, writer and a distinguished curator. There were a number of talks I would have liked to have gone too listen too. These included: Nick Knight, Martin Parr, and Lois Greenfield. Unfortunately they were all sold out. Well before we had booked our tickets, so perhaps need to book earlier next year.

As the Photo London fair didn’t open until 12:30. We decided to use the morning and visited the Victoria and Albert Museum V&A. To view the photography exhibition that was getting 5 stars reviews in the various London guides.

Paul Strand: Photography and Film for the 20th Century

The advertising for the exhibition states the following:

Paul Strand was one of the greatest and most influential photographers of the 20th century. Whose images have defined the way fine art and documentary photography is understood and practiced today.

It was certainly well curated, and his early images were often taken from a high vantage point looking down into the city. His street images initially were often shot without the subject knowing that they were in the picture. But this changed in later years as he often discussed with the subject what he want to get from the image. He certainly travelled a lot and his actual cameras are on display. Which was good to see what he was working with. I would certainly agree with the 5 star reviews of this exhibition.

The court yard was also worth a visit as a canopy designed to mimic the microscopic structure of the forewing shells of flying beetles has been constructed by a robotic arm using a carbon and glass fibre spun by the arms program, the Elytra Filament Pavilion forms a waterproof shelter in the courtyard. This is part of the exhibitions and events focused on the “unsung role” of engineering in society.

A selection of images from the days visits

Travel Photography - travel Photograher -photo london poster in the ground of summer set house — Richard Spurdens Photography – Somerset house court yard Fuji XE-1 Fuji XF 27mm

Travel Photography - travel Photograher - london street scene — Richard Spurdens Photography – Somerset house court yard Fuji XE-1 Fuji XF 27mm

Photo London thoughts:

So this was an opportunity to see lots of different people’s work in one location and also see how the medium was being used by many different types of photographers. While you might not like the results it was good to see the range and depth of the different approach to image making in the different forms in each of the galleries.

I enjoyed visiting all the different galleries and it does take a long time to get around then all – you need lots of breaks too. Fortunately the layout of the event made it easy to get around and view the work without lots of other visitors being an issue. It was great to see images from the some of the great photographers of the past, the likes of Horst, Bob Carlos Clarke, and Norman Parkinson as well as images from today image makers like Andreas H. Bitesnich and Nick Brandt Each gallery has something different to view. For the Horst (Mainbocher Corset, 1939) image that I love you needed around 8500 euro to buy one of the prints. However it was amazing to get up close and see the details and shadow tones in the image which was taken in 1939 on a plate camera.

Photo London also had some specific artists with a room dedicated to their work these included Don McCullan (a range of his work, presented in association with Hamiltons Gallery.) This exhibition included a wide range of his works. A dark moody room for his images worked well.

Craigie Horsfield’s work was also on display in a separate exhibition, which featured 12 of his large scale portrait images. Horsfield is known for his intimate style and sensitive employment of diverse printing techniques, and it was certainly worth visiting.

However for me the best exhibition was the work of Sergey Chilikov, the exhibition was entitled Photoprovocations

The exhibition info stated the following:

Sergey Chilikov is one of the most outstanding practitioners of the ‘new’ photography which emerged in the USSR in the 1970s. This specially-commissioned exhibition, curated by the Multimedia Art Museum, Moscow, brings this important artist to the fore.

Closely linked to the Sots Art (Soviet Pop Art) movement, Chilikov’s work is a subversive response to the strict Brezhnev era of the USSR. Away from the oppression of public society and in the privacy of domestic situations, people were free to behave as they wished. Chilikov turned his lens upon his subjects in this liberated state. His work offers a glimpse into a fascinating past counter-culture that has striking resonance to our societies today.

It certainly did and was as I had said above was the best exhibition of Photo London. Overall and good day visiting both the V&A and also Photo London.

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