2017 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’ .

General, News

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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