Well, last year I was quick to spruik the good results of my images at the Epson Pano Awards so I figured that it was only fair that I also share with my avid readers my not-so-good results this year.
Morning GloryThis image was taken at Palm Cove just north of Cairns. This particular morning I had an image in mind that I wanted to capture.....so I had my camera set up for it.....just waiting for the light. I then saw a person walking along the beach and that the sun was just poking out from behind the clouds. I quickly turned the camera, metered the scene and waited until the person was in the right spot. This is probably my favourite image from that particular morning.
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 50 f/32 0.5secs
Image scored 73 in amateur-nature category
This year I entered 8 images (all of which were film captures). I figure that I have invested a lot of time (and money) in panoramic photography and that is what I enjoy so I feel these are the pinnacle of awards that I should aim to enter in each year. Of course, like every entrant we enter our best images and think that each is worth a Gold or Silver award...or as a minimum a bronze. So, this is what I did.
Brisbane JacarandaI ventured out photographing with a mate in early October to capture the Jacaranda's that are so abundant this time of year in Brisbane. Our final location was Wilson's Outlook. Here is a shot!
This was shot on my film camera!
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 50, f32, 0.5sec
Hoya HD circular polariser
Epson V700 scanner
Image scored 72 in amateur-nature category
Melbourne LanewayOn the final morning of a visit to Melbourne, the sunris was a little promising but faded. Knowing that I had to finish the roll of film I had in the camera before I went through security at the airport, I decided to set up at the end of this laneway and take a shot. I had a few strange looks!
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 100F f/32 105sec
Epson V700
Image scored 68 in Amateur - The Built Environment category
Again this year the awards offered an amateur and an open category. Initially, I decided I would enter a few entries into the amateur section. I submitted fairly early on during the entry period...but after receiving some film back from the lab a few weeks prior to closure of the submission period, I decided to enter a few more. This is probably where things got a bit out of hand.
Mourning MorningWhile visiting Armidale in search of Autumn colours, we came across this row of awesome red trees at the cemetery. When we discovered that the direction of the morning light would be good here we decided to choose this location for sunrise on our final morning there. It really was awesome to photograph this great light hitting these awesome coloured trees.
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 100 f/32 1sec
Epson V700
Image scored 65 in Open - The Built Environment category
I had two similar images (one vertical and one horizontal) which I was torn between entering. I didn't want the judges to mark down one of my images as they had seen a similar image in a different orientation so I decided I'd enter one into amateur and the other into opens (knowing there were different judges for each category). I then decided I'd enter another image into the open section as there is a discount for entering more than 1 image. And that was that. 8 images entered. I waited patiently for the emails about my results.
FallenThis photo was taken at Armidale Cemetery. The title of this image is two-fold. It reflects the fallen leaves but also those fallen from this life.
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 100 f/32 3sec
Epson V700
Capture date: 26/4/14
Image scored 70 in the amateur - nature category
To cut a not so long story short, one image just scraped in with a bronze award scoring 75. The rest got nothing. I scored a 64, two 65s, 68, 70, 72 and a 73. Overall, I was pretty disappointed.
Fish out of waterThe description of this image describes a little the way I felt while taking this image. I was photographing my 4th ever roll of film on my FujiG617 and it was my first time using a light meter I had purchased. The truth is I didn't really know what I was doing with the light meter. This was complicated by the fact that I had my whole backpack on my back and I was knee deep in water.....all at 5:30am. Despite the difficulties I have come away with the image I wanted!
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 50 f/32 330secs
Image scored 75 (Bronze Award) in the amateur - nature category
Flinders Street StationI took this photo on my final morning while visiting Melbourne for a conference. After a few early mornings and one terrible nights sleep while in Melbourne I decided I would scrap doing a sunrise on my final morning there....however.....I woke at 6am anyway. Fortunately this was enough time to get my gear ready and head out. I ventured to Melbourne's South Bank. Seeing as it didn't look like the sunrise was going to do much and the fact that I knew I had to shoot a whole roll of film (4 images) that morning I loaded up an expired roll of Velvia 100F. I'm not the biggest fan of this particular film but thought at least I wouldn't waste something decent. Anyway after a surprising amount of pink sky on sunrise it dissipated and I had 2 frames still to shoot. As i was close to Flinders Street Station I thought a vertical here with some light trails might be a bit different (it was also my first time shooting light trails with this camera).
Anyway, as is always the case with shooting verticals on this camera...I got the composition off slightly...so this is cropped a bit...but I am still happy with it!
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 100F f32 10sec
Epson V700 scanner
Capture date: 26/5/14
Image scored 64 in amateur - The Built Environment category
There have been a lot of discussions on social media about this years judging being a lot stricter than previous, but I don't think this is an excuse. Even before these social media discussions surfaced my mindset was that my images aren't up to scratch and I need to continue to work at it. I think that's a fair enough view. I'm not beating myself up about it - I mean I do photography to enjoy it...not to win competitions - but it is nice to see how your images compare to your peers and I think for that reason it is worthwhile entering. It is also nice to be awarded and I must admit I do have a little chuckle to myself whenever I see in a professional gallery that an image has scored an award in the Epson Pano awards (because I have a few awarded images too)!
Currumbin RockThis photo was taken on the morning of January 1 2014. After meeting with Kane for sunrise at this location, we both took a frame similar to this and we headed elsewhere.
Fuji G617
105mm
Velvia 50 f/32 0.5sec
Scanned on an Epson V700
Image scored 65 in the open - nature category
