I can’t really find the words to explain how big a deal this was to me, but in short this was to me as big as anything that has happened to me in my career to date – if not biggest. Prize money aside, to put it in perspective it is the equivalent in terms of an achievement for contemporary photography, as being shortlisted in Australia’s renowned painting award – the Archibald Prize. The judge for this year was world-renowned documentary photographer Stephen Dupont – a photographer that I have looked up to and held in extremely high regard for many years. To have Mr Dupont not only select my work as a finalist image in this years prize, but to award it a Highly Commended is a huge honour.

At the media announcement he explained what it was that drew him to my work. Listening to him articulate to the press his reasoning for his selection was the most rewarding thing I’ve heard since the theme song to the Never Ending Story. I would also like to throw a shout out to my home girl and right hand wing-woman Christine who was selected as one of the 40 a finalists, also to another local legend Vikky who also received a Highly Commended! (Go Canberra!)

In 2009 I was also fortunate enough to have judge Andrew Quilty select my image, ‘Perfect’, to be one of the finalists in this same Moran Prize category.

The talent from the finalists on show is unbelievable and well worth a look. The exhibition of the finalists selected for both the Photographic and Painting category’s will be on exhibition at the NSW State Library, Sydney until 5 September 2010 before commencing its 12 month tour of Australia. More on the Moran Prizes winers here and here. The image that was awarded a Highly Commended in this years Moran Prize entitled ‘This Way’ is directly below (silhouettes). My 2009 finalist image, ‘Perfect’ (pink ribbon) is beneath.

Both shot with film.

This is a high that I am going to ride for as long as I possibly can

You can see some of the beautiful frames that Christine captured from the same session on her blog here. What I love, is that even though myself and Christine were shooting the same lovebirds, at the same time with the same equipment the visions we had were so different and unique to us as individuals… there is no better or worse, just different and this is what I love so much about being a “professional observer”. I love having the ability to see how I want, being limited only by my imagination (and in some cases weather:)

Chris and Sarah, you guys rock… thank you for allowing myself and Christine in to your lives for a moment to share something so special.. See you down under in November! Enjoy… (I miss you Seattle)

Enjoy!

I was going to get a taxi to drive me the 13 blocks down to Filmore St. , but then I had a little journey over destination moment and decided to walk the distance, camera in hand. The pictures below are a small collection of images I took on my walk along a very “normal” San Fran st.. These were all taken in a window of about an hour and I would have missed them all had I grabbed that cab. Nothing special, just little moments captured but I really enjoyed this part of today and felt it was worth documenting…

Small world..

Well…. I finally got there and it was well worth the wait. Yesterday I returned home after spending a week in Melbourne for the 2010 AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPAs). The 2010 APPAs are like the photography industry’s Oscars. Over 700 photographers from all across Australia submit over 3000 prints to be judged by the best of the best of the best. And I must say, I’m pretty stoked with how I did this year. Out of the four prints I submitted, I was awarded 1 Silver, two Silver with Distinctions and 1 Gold with Distinction.

My Gold with Distinction print scored a 99 out of 100. When three of the five judges scored it 100, I just about fell over. Needless to say, it was one of those moments that I’ll never forget. And not only was that 99 a first ever for a Wedding Category print, it was the Highest Scoring Print overall. It was truly humbling and amazing to say the least. For that print, I was blessed enough to receive the Ilford Trophy – a trophy that I was hoping to maybe one day receive in my LIFETIME.  A trophy that has so many of my photo hero’s names engraved into it and now I get the honor of sharing that real estate with them. So it goes without saying that receiving this award only last week stills seems a little crazy to me.

Also, I have to give a shout out to my good friend (and fellow Canberran) Emily Hannah who was awarded 2010 Documentary Photographer of the Year! I could not be happier for you Em!! Also, I have to give props to worker bee Christine ( Pookles) Pobke who manage to walk away with 2 silvers in her first APPA’s (an amazing effort). The Gala Awards Dinner was a black-tie event held at the Melbourne Crown Casino and was so well put together. It was an awesome night filled with lots of champagne, dancing, champagne, and… well, champagne. Will post some pics from the celebrations soon!!

Aside from the obvious, the other highlight of the week away was getting to meet so many other photographers from around Australia and developing new friendships.  I’m confident there were at least a few potential life-timers in there so I cant wait to see what the future holds for myself and my new-found friends.