FIAP Archives - Richard Spurdens Photography

Events, Fashion, FIAP, General, Photography

2017 a year in review

So as 2017 comes to an end I thought it was worth taking a bit of time to reflect on this years photography.

Two of the main highlights from 2017 that spring to mind are being awarded a third London Salon medal for one of my images entered in this years (2017) London salon. Having been lucky enough to have been awarded medals at medal at previous Salons – I never thought I would get a third.

The second highlight was having an image in Great Britain entry for this years FIAP colour biennial .
I also achieved the EFIAP/Platiumn award which has been a long-term goal for me. (see below).

Studio wise, I have been busy in there and I have also done quite a number of location shoots too, which offers a different challenge to working in the controlled enviroment of a studio. I have enjoyed the challenges of working on location and learnt a few things too.

There have been chances to work with a number of new creatives again this year and I have enjoyed working with them and together we have created some great images, and also had good fun playing with different light approaches.

New creatives this year have included:

Dancers: Alexa Hilton, Charlie, Jay and Erica Mulkern.

Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance moves by alexa hilton — Richard Spurdens Photography – Alexa Hilton – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV -Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Dance Photographer - Dance photography - dance pose by dancer erica mulkern — Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

Models: Rachelle Summers, Nicole Rayner, Scarlot Rose, Pippa Doll (who is a karate expert, dancer and skate boarder too) and finally Zoi Morgan.

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at pipewwll hall featureing designes by Jane-woolrich-design. model is seated in a red winged chair wearing a pink negligee and slip — Richard Spurdens Photography – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

portrait Photography - portrait Photographer - colour image of subject looking out to the right hand side of the frame shot using nature light she is wearing a light brown blouse which is off both shoulder and she is holding it in the middle of her chest. — Richard Spurdens Photography – Rachelle Summers – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM – 1/60 sec @ F / 14.0

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot with model wearing croped demin jeans and a striped shirt she is stood against a dark brown back ground with one arm hold the shirt coller and the other resting on the opposite leg — Richard Spurdens Photography – studio shot with model Pippa Doll – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV : EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 sec @ F / 8.0

Fine Art Nude Photography - Fine Art Nude Photographer - a toned monochrome image showing the model holding a bunch of white tulips against the skin — Richard Spurdens Photography – four tulips -Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125 sec @ F / 3.2

I have also worked with a number of others from previous years including: Carla Monoco, Madame Bink, Ivory Flame, Elle Beth, Mischkan Scott and (aerialist and model) Em Theresa.

Richard Spurdens Photography – Madame Bink with white hat – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125sec @ F / 4.5

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portrait head shot image of a subject looking directly into the camera lit from the window light on the rhs of her. — Richard Spurdens Photography – mischkan scott hs white top Canon EOS 5D Mark IV : EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 sec @ F / 3.2

dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of the dancer wearign a large floaty blue dress kicking her right leg high out the the lhs of her with her arms reaching back behind her — Richard Spurdens Photography – Blue Dress moves – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – EF50mm f/1.8 II 1/125 sec @ F / 6.3

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a studio fashion shoot subject is wearing a red ball dress, shot using natural light — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot – Canon EOS 5D Mark IV : EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 sec @ F / 2.8

In terms of the FIAP distinctions trail; I was pleased to received my EFIAP/ platiumn award in June of this year, which a great achievement. So that goal was finally achieved within the 5 years I had set out for it. As I mentioned in my last review (2016) I had really scaled back the number of exhibition I have been entering, only entering mainly prints and looking to support exhibitions that maintain a good printed exhibition catalogue. I have managed to maintain a good rate of acceptances and also have managed to pick up a few awards as well. A couple of my images have been on the front covers of the exhibition catalogue, which is always a good result for an entry into the salons.

Image that was the front cover of the Cotswold Salon 2017

artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - monochrome image the model in using a white posing box she pushing up with her arms at the back of the box and her left foot to lift herself off the box her other leg is lifted and pointed at ninty degress towards the light. which is a single side light to the right hand side of the model. — Richard Spurdens Photography -artistic nude figure study titled: A simple point of the foot – efiap platinum level image

I was also invited to be a judge for a number of national photographic exhiditions in the UK, which took up quite a few weekends in the first half of the year. As always, it was hard work but rewarding in being able to see what other photographers have been creating around the country.

I have also supported Walters Wardrobe (Jen Brook) and her couture themed shoots at some great locations. This year these have included a shoot at Western Park in Shropshire (Ruffles & Ready), which featured the designer: Mishi May, with styling by Jen Brook, Millinery: Donna Graham, and MUA: Sophie Battersby. The models included : Victoria Coutts, Jodi Lakin, Nicky Philips and Kamila Nowak.

We also returned to the vast stately home at Wentworth Woodhouse (Dance of the Decadent Dolls). This was with Designer: Rosie Red Corsetry and Couture, with styling by Jen Brook, and Millinery by Donna Graham, MUA: Sophie Battersby, Olivia Morewood, Rebecca Cordell, Sophie’s MUA/hair assistant: Rachael Doig. The Models for this event included: Ayla Rose, Ivory Flame, Jaye Yip, Rebecca Cordell.

The final shoot for this year was Sandon Hall Staffordshire, (Beauty and the Feast). This featured the designs of Katie Newsam, styling by Jen Brook, assisted by Jodi Lakin, Livvy Morewood. MUA: Sophie Battersby. Models: Amelia Mary, Katie Talyor, Charlotte Burton, Catherine Ashworth.

Images from the Walters Wardrobe shoots of 2017

colour fashion image of a model wearing a ruffle designed full wide skirt and match bodice and hat designed by Mishi May — Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – Lens: 35mm

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image of model wearing a red and gold ball gown with makeing red hat she is seated on a stone plinth in the garden room- shot on location at sandon hall, Dress Designer: Katie Newsam, Styling Jen Brook, Walter's Wardrobe Productions — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fashion shoot at Sandon Hall – Red and Gold dress – Model: Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 1/80sec @ f / 5.6 ISO 800

colour image of the model wearing a sculpted figure huging design of designer Mishi May — Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: 35mm

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from fashion shoot at sandon hall, Dress Designer: Katie Newsam, Styling Jen Brook, Walter's Wardrobe Productions, model wears full lenght purple ball gown with scalloped purple swirl running from the left shoulder down to the right foot of the dress — Richard Spurdens Photography – Fashion shoot image designer Katie Newsam – Model: Fuji X-T2 Lens: XF50-140mmF2.8 R LM OIS WR 1/60sec @ f / 4.0 ISO 400

pom pom dress seated on the stairs — Fuji X-T2- Lens: F18mmF2 R 1/125 sec @ F /5.6

Fashion Photography - Fashion Photographer — Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: 35mm

Dance Photographer - Dance photography - — Fuji X-T2 – Lens: XF18mmF2 R

Dance Photographer - Dance photography - colour image showing dancer on pointe wearing a white corset dress and to her rhs is a swam with eggs and balllons so the image is called dancing at the swans party — Richard Spurdens Photography – dance photography – Fuji X-T2 – Lens: XF35mmF1.4 R

FIAP, News, Photography

FIAP colour biennial 2017

on pointe expression — Canon EOS 5D Mark II : EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM 1/125 @ F / 9.0

FIAP colour biennial 2017

Every year FIAP (International Federation of Photographic Art) hold international competitions called FIAP Biennials. These are hosted by different Federations around the world, under conditions laid out by FIAP. This year the competition was hosted by Norway and was a colour Biennial.

This is the first year that FIAP have merged the colour Print and Projected Image Biennials together.

In 2018 there will be the Black and White and Nature Biennials.

Within each medium, each country chooses its own theme for its entry, and puts together a panel of images or prints on that theme aiming to get the entries as coherent as possible.

During the competition the panel of entries is given both individual scores for each work, and also a mark for how coherent the panel is.

Obviously then the country with the highest combined score is the winner.

This year the Great Britain theme was “Dance and Movement” and the PAGB selectors selected 10 images to make that theme, including an image from myself.

Other authors representing GB were Dinah Jayes, Roger Parry, Derwood Pamphilon, Steve Marriot, Pauline Pentony, Joan Blease, Tim Pile, Greg Duncan, and Valerie Duncan.

In the competition the entry received a coherence score of 45 and an individual print score of 119, total score of 164.

There were 19 countries entered into the Colour Biennial (Print) and this score placed us 5^th overall and we also received an honourable mention. We were one point off the FIAP Biennial bronze which went to Norway. Other notable awards were to Dinah Jayes who was awarded the FIAP Biennial individual gold medal for her image.

The overall winners of the World Cup were Italy.

Gold went to Luxembourg and Spain picking up the Silver, Norway the bronze medals

In the Projected Image Biennial, GB came second which was also a great result.

It was great to receive the printed catalogue showing all the print entries and I was especially impressed with the coherence of Luxembourg images, which was on a theme of ‘Black and Red’ .

FIAP, News

EFIAP/Platinum Distinction Level

FIAP Distinctions for Photographic Merit

I received notification that my application for the EFIAP/Platinum Distinction level award (EFIAP/p) has been successful. This was great news as it has been a project which I started in 2012. The aim was to see if my images would gain acceptances in international photographic salons around the world.

All these photographic salons are run under the auspices of FIAP (Federation Internationale de L’Art Photographique).

Following on from my successful AFIAP (Artist FIAP) application I gained my EFIAP distinction in 2013 (Excellence FIAP) and each subsequent year since then I have achieved the required acceptance to progress up the levels each year.

I have also managed to pick up a number of awards along the way too, which is always a good feeling.

EFIAP/p: Excellence FIAP/Platinum

So a year on from achieving my EFIAP Gold (EFIAP/g), I managed to achieve and pass the requirement required for the EFIAP/p level.

I think it is worth just sharing the requirement for EFIAP/p distinction level. You need to exceed 700 acceptances with at least 250 different works, which have gained acceptances in at least 20 different counties, as well as 7 photographs gaining awards in 7 different counties and different salons.

Hence to achieve this level you need to have a pretty substantial body of work and to have been actively submitting that work to photographic salons around the world. It really is no mean feat to achieve it.

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 further, making the requirements sensible again.

So what I have learned along the way with this Project ?

First and foremost you need a good database to keep track of the salons you have entered and your image titles.

Within that database you will also need to keep the record of the FIAP Salon number of the salon you have entered and whether you have entered a Print or a PDI (Projected digital image), together with the year, and the country in which the salon is taking place. If the salon is a circuit you need to record each salon of the circuit and the images entered in each salon making up the circuit.

Upon receiving your results, it is important to check that the titles on the results sheet match your titles, as errors do occur and you need to make sure that the titles that are published in the results are the same as the ones in your database. You also need to record which images have received awards. The check of the awards is done on the image titles against the salon returns to FIAP so they need to match.

You can record lots of other things if you want but those listed above are the main things you will need at the end of the year when you are filling out your application submission.

Image titles are also very important. Make sure you don’t duplicate titles, over a year you can sometimes struggle to think of a title and end up using one that you have already used. I made that mistake a few times and you can only use the title for one image, so effectively you lose the acceptances you gained from the duplicated title. Also make sure you don’t use the next image in a sequence of images you may have shot as they will be too similar. It is tempting to use another image from a shoot if one has done well. Look carefully at the images you use.

It is important to pick your salons, as you do need a good spread of countries each year. You may be very successful in one country, and it is very tempting to keep entering images in the same area if they do well. You will learn quickly which salons are well run and which to avoid!

If you want to read some of my other blogs about the FIAP distinction trail then the links are below:

EFIAP2013 and EFIAP/b 2014), EFIAP/s 2015, EFIAP Gold

Here are a few of the images that were part of my EFIAP Platinum application :

landscape photography - landscape photographer - kirkjufell mountain and waterfall — Richard Spurdens Photography – Iceland series

fashion photographer - fashion photography - colour image from a fashion shoot at an old mill location in coppull featuring elegance femine designs — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion shoot with Jen Brook – Pentax 645Z Lens: FA 645 150mm f/2.8 1/100sec @ F / 2.8

aerial arts photography - aerial arts photographer - aerialist inverted hanging from bue siks — Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125sec @ F / 5.0

travel Photography - travel Photograher - colour image taken a the victorian village a ironbridge interior shot of the candel maker workshop using the back window light showing the machine and candle maker at work in the gloom light of the workshop — Richard Spurdens Photography – the candle makers workshop victorian village iron bridge

portait photography - portrait photographer - model wearing a leather jacket and hold a chain across her shoulder — Richard Spurdens Photography – Canon 5D EF 70-200mm F2.8 L 1/125sec @ F / 6.3

dance photographer - dance photography - colour image of the model wearing a white dress and leaping in the air with one leg pointing vertically down and the other out behind her she is hold a large sweeping brush in her right hand floor has been drop on her from above to make it look like she is sweep up magic dust — Richard Spurdens Photography – Magic dust sweeping EFIAP/ Platinum image – Canon EOS 5D Mark III Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125sec @ F / 4.5

Portrait Photography - Portrait Photographer - colour portait head shot image of a subject looking down to the rhs of the image she is place towards the lhs and the light is comeing in from behind her left shoulder and to her right as well — Richard Spurdens Photography – angela hudson by natural light -EFIAP/ Platinum image – Canon EOS 5D Mark III Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS 1/125sec @ F / 4.5

So having achieved my aim of gaining the EFIAP/Platinum level what is next ?

I plan to keep entering a few of the international salons but I will be very selective in the ones I spend my money on.

I will mainly be focusing in on the ones that have prints sections. I enjoy creating prints and certainly feel that it is important to keep supporting salons that exhibit prints.

Final thoughts:

As I have pursued the FIAP Salons trail I have seen lots of 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.

Fine Art Nude Photography - Fine Art Nude Photographer - monochrome composite image of the model elle beth the front image is the model looking down toward the floor with one arm in a triangle and other is up to her face. the second image is larger and faded out more elle is holding one hand to her face and the other is behind her head — Richard Spurdens Photography – thoughts of the one IV Elle Beth – Canon 5D MkIII – 1/125sec @ f / 11.0 EF70-200mm F2.8 L

artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography - colour image of model lying against a corridor wall with her leg out straight across the corribor her arm is across her chest and she is looking up towards the window light coming in from the rhs. the corridor wall are painted burnt orange and the floor is a light brown orange which goes with her white skin — Richard Spurdens Photography – towards the light ii – efiap platinum level image

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:

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

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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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.

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, FIAP, General

2015 – a review of the year

So here we are at the end of 2015 and a time to reflect on the year photographically.

Has 2015 been a good year?

The answer, I think is yes, it has been a good and varied year.

I have worked with a quite a number of new models which was one of the aims of the year. On the photographic Salon front I have continued to enter a few of the National and International Salons and been rewarded with some success with images being accepted into the exhibitions and on a number of occasions picking up awards. One of the highlights was picking up my second Gold medal in the Trierenburg Super Salon, which resulted in an invitation to the Gala dinner in Linz in October to collect this. This year our trip was by train and we visited Zurich on the way there and Vienna on the way home. A blog post will be coming in early January about the visit to these two locations.

A few Judging invitations this year, including one of the National PAGB competitions (The GB Cup with fellow judges Leigh Preston and Eric Orme) and also the international Yorkshire Salon 2015 with fellow judges Libby Smith and Rod Wheelans.

I have also had a number of invitations to present my images to camera clubs both locally in Yorkshire and nationally too, I even did a Couture fashion shoot too.

Mid-way through the year, I managed to put myself out of action for around 2 months when I broke my foot, so I had to cancel a trip to Spain and also a number of booked shoots which was a real pain. Fortunately at least one of the models I was able to work with later in the year. Just at this time I also got a studio space to work from so that has been a good step forward to have somewhere to work and play with lighting styles etc. I just had to wait for two months to start using it!

To make up for missing the trip to Spain in June we arranged a trip in September to visit the city of Bilbao, in northern Spain, which was well worth the visit as you can see from my post about it here.

On to the new models that I had the pleasure of working with this year, starting in January 2015, with Rosa brighid, then in alphabetical order: Angela Hudson, Amber Tutton, Darren H, Dee Delahunty, Gem, Mischkah, Rosewell Ivory and Tillie Feather.

I also enjoyed working again with Carla Monaco, Ella Beth, Faith Obae, Ivory Flame , Jen Brook, Kayleigh Lush, Raphella, and Madam Bink.

Finally I must put in a short bit around the FIAP awards which last year were revised upwards dramatically which made me decide not to follow on with the level awards. (see FIAP silver) Well in the FIAP congress in November 2015, guess what – they changed them all around again, you really do have to wonder!

So the upshot is I can now apply for my FIAP gold level award.

So to finish off here are some images from the 2015:

landscape photography - landscape photographer -January light Javea 2015 — Fuji XF18mm 1/60sec @ F8.0

artistic nude photography - artistic nude photographer - pushing the blocks

portairt photography - portairt photographer - carla m — Richard Spurdens Photography – Carla M

Landscape Photography - Landscape Photographer - scotish highland view to the buachaille — Richard Spurdens Photoography the buachaille

artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography -Fine art nudes - shapes in the square — Richard Spurdens Photography – Shapes in the square

artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography -raphaella floor shapes — Fuji XT-1 Zeiss Touit 12mm /f2.8 i/125 @ f5.0

Dance photographer - dance photography -Faith and Darren

Artistic nude photographer - artistic nude photography colour image of model looking out of a large window wearing a sheer top. — Richard Spurdens Photography

fashion photographer - fashion photography -gem 1

fashion photographer - fashion photographer - jen and amber — Richard Spurdens Photography – fashion photography – Jen and Amber

portrait photography - portrait photographer - high key monochorme image of model looking through to gap in some net curtains, subject is lit with natural light from behind — Richard Spurdens Photography – portrait image – mischkah highkey – III – Canon EOS 5D Mark III : EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM 1/125 @ F / 3.2

dance photography - dance photographer -checking the dance shapes

fashion photographer - fashion photographer - dee delahunty — Richard Spurdens Photography – Dee

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Events, FIAP, News

Trierenberg Super Circuit 2015

Following on from my success in the 2014 Trierenberg Super Circuit I went to the Gala Dinner to collect my medal and it was a great night of photography images and meeting fellow award winners. I again entered the 2015 Trierenberg Super Circuit and I was more than delighted to be a medal winner again in 2015.

Travel Photography - travel Photograher - Linz photo awards — Richard Spurdens Photography – Collecting the Gold Medal

So again the invitation to the Trierenberg Super Circuit Gala dinner was accepted and a trip to Linz was arranged to attend the award ceremony and dinner.

So Monday of this week (12/10/2015) I was among those photographers at the gala dinner and awards evening held at the Design Centre in Linz, Austria. My award-winning image this year was Perfecting the art of chair levitating which was awarded a gold medal for best mono image in the Bregenz salon.

dance photographer - dance photography - in the mono perfecting the art of chair levitation — Richard Spurdens Photography – EFIAP Gold – Perfecting the art of chair levitation

This is again a great evening, well organised and with a well curated exhibition of a large number of the accepted prints. To have one of your images on display with all the other impressive work and to stand on the stage in front of all those other photographers and creative artists for a second time was really a good feeling.

This year I was one of the winner who Dr Chris Hinterobermaier chose to interviewed on stage so a little nerve-racking to start off with but I felt I gave a good answer to this questions.

travel photography - travel photographer - interview image 1 — Richard Spurdens Photography – On the big screen

There were a few other UK-based photographers attending too – Slywia and Marcin Ciesielski based in Southampton and Marek Biegalski based in Dublin and Mike Pilkington again from Dublin.

There were two other photographers who I had met at the event in 2014 Lotta van Droom (Ireland), who I managed to have a chat with after the dinner and also Mohammadreza Rezinia from Iran but I did not manage to catch up with him this year. which was a shame as his work is really creative.

Have a look at their websites if you have the time.

Again as I said at the end of my post last year if you get the invitation to attend then GO

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FIAP, News

EFIAP Silver

I’m delighted to have received notification this week that my application for the EFIAP Silver (EFIAP/s) award has been successful; this makes it my fourth 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), I will share all the images that gained me acceptances for my successful EFIAP Silver application below this text.

I have been entering FIAP salons now for the last 5 years and over that period have had success with gaining acceptances and a few awards too. Through pursuing the FIAP salons trail I seen inspiring work, I have met a lot of good photographer and made some new friends and travelled internationally as both a judge and an award winner. The salons have provided me with an outlet for my work to be seen and shown internationally.

However from 2016 FIAP have decided to introduce an increase to all the level requirements, effectively a 100% increase in the numbers required at each level. This suddenly makes this a very expensive task and perhaps not worth the effort as future increase could again be made in following years.

Now I have seen the acceptance requirement increase at EFIAP level and was fortunate to have been successful enough with my images to gain sufficient acceptances to meet that increase. FIAP then decided to delay the introduction of that increase which then meant that I had a large number of acceptances that could not be used. However it seems that they may come into play with new changes to the requirements that FIAP have introduced as you can now include all your acceptances from your AFIAP and EFIAP towards these new level requirements.

So will I continue on the distinction trial? I will wait and see as if those images are now able to count, if that is the case, then the task is not as great as it would have been. So clarification will be required before I make any decision on progressing on to EFIAP/Gold. I know that I will certainly not be going on from there.

I do feel a certain amount of regret that changes he been made without any consideration for people already within the process. Most other organisation would have taken a phased in approach to the changes, to allow for many of the members who were already well through the process to complete it, but that is not the case. This is a shame, as I feel I can no longer recommend the FIAP distinctions process as worth having a go at, which I used to do in my lecture tours.

Above are the a few of the award winning images:

Dance Photography - Dance Photographer - red pointe expression — Richard Spurdens Photography – Red pointe expression

dance photography - dance photographer - kapow — Richard Spurdens Photography – Kapow

Fine Art Nude Photography - Fine Art Nude Photographer - monochrome image of artistic nude model making shapes with a set of gossamer wings — Richard Spurdens Photography – Gossamer Wings in Mono

artistic nude photography - artistic nude photographer -EFIAP silver caught in the light — Caught in the light

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FIAP, News

A year in review -2014

It is always difficult to review a year (in terms of photography that is) as you always seem to be planning ahead for the next shoot. So perhaps taking the time to review what you have done in the past year is worth doing, at least in the terms of showing some of the images I created over 2014.

I have worked with a number of new models this year. In January, I had the pleaure to meet and work with Lulu Lockhart, this turned out to be the first of 3 shoots we had together during the year, so I guess I liked working with her. Others I had the pleasure of meeting and working with included Natasha-J-Bella, Anna Rose, Faith Obae, Christen Rock and finally Elle Beth.

I also did more location shoots this year with an Urban ballet themed shoot with Kayleigh Lush in Saltaire and a woodland shoot with Faith Obae.

On the FIAP salon trail, it was another good year for my images with two real highlights – the first being a Gold medal at the Feldkrich salon in the Trierenburg Super Salon, which resulted in an invitation to the Gala dinner in Linz in October to collect this. It certainly was a great evening with the chance to met fellow photograhers and enjoy their work and company. Tim Pile and Brian Hopper were also there so it was good to catch up with Tim and meet Brian for the first time, plus other fellow award winners from around the globe.

The second highlight was being lucky enough to be awarded another Medal in the London Salon year.

On a visit to Belfast in mid October for a few days I managed to meet up with Ross McKelver and we found time to do shoot with Christen Rock at Ross’ studio in Belfast (Catch Light Studios).

A visit to Iceland in late September/early October for 10 days of landscape photography with Daniel Bergman – high winds, rain, snow and some fine landscape views to photograph made it well worth the trip. I will certainly look at returning.

On the judging front I enjoyed judging the work entered into the Yorkshire International Salon of Photography, with fellow judges Margaret Salisbury and Ray Brammall – a good choice of weekend – two days before before Christmas!

I finished the year with a publication in Sensual Photography book No3 – so its not been a bad year overall!

So here are some image from the year:

Fashion Photography - Fashion Photographer - red dress and black gloves — Richard Spurdens Photography – Holly red dress

portarit photographer - Portrait Photography- natural light colour image of the model anna rose — Richard Spurdens Photography – Holly red dress

Events, FIAP, News

The Trierenberg Super Circuit gala dinner and awards evening

Part of the introduction on the Trierenberg Super Circuit website states that:

“It is the aim of this competition to find out the very best photography from different styles, techniques and genres. The Trierenberg Super Circuit has established as an international benchmark of perfect photography. Not only amateur photographers, but also internationally well-known artists and professionals have been participating.”

And on Monday of this week (13/10/2014) I was among those photographers at the gala dinner and awards evening held at the Design Centre in Linz, Austria. One of my 8 accepted images had been awarded a gold medal for best colourprint image in the Feldkirch salon. (Expression on red Pointe).

As medal winner you get an invite to attend the Gala Dinner and awards evening, and as I have known other UK and Irish photographers, (Ron and Maggie Tear and Ciaran Whyte) to name but two, who have attended in the past and talked about the event being impressive, so when the invitation came I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to attend.

I was not disappointed as it was certainly an impressive event, well organised and with a well curated exhibition of a large number of the accepted prints. To have one of your images on display with all the other impressive work and to stand on the stage in front of all those other photographers and creative artists was a good and humbling feeling.

There were a few other UK photographers attending too – Tim Pile and Brian Hooper were two whose work I know.

They were also there to collect medals for their work so it was good to meet up with them and also spend time with photographers from around the world, the furthest being one from Australia and the other from Brazil.

Thanks to Brian Hooper for the the next two images, which are me collecting my medal; and the other guests on our table (myself and Ro, Lotta van Droom and partner, Brian Hooper, Jalal Sazeli and Jack).

Then we have Tim Pile been interviewed on stage.

bph6874 — Some of the other award winners

Three photographers who I met at the event and whose work is worth looking at are :

Lotta van Droom (Ireland),

Jalal Sazeli from Singapore, and

Mohammadreza Rezinia from Iran is also an impressive creative and it was good to meet and talk with him about the challenges he faces in creating his work.

Have a look at their websites if you have the time.

To sum up the Gala evening – it is just amazing. The presentation of the images, awards, and company made it a special event, and if you ever get the invite, then GO.