Last year I entered the prestigious Edinburgh International Exhibition of Photography for the first time, and as documented in a blog post I was extremely fortunate to be awarded two gold medals and had four prints in total exhibited.
I knew I could not expect to achieve the same success again, so this year thought it would be a nice target to get two prints accepted, given that they receive up to 3000 prints and accept only around 200 of them for the exhibition.
However it appears that lightning does strike twice, as I was literally speechless when I found that I had won two FIAP Gold Medals and had five prints accepted into the exhibition. The awarded images are show below:
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| Voyeur – Awarded a FIAP Gold Medal in Edinburgh by Rod Wheelans |
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| The Sofa – Awarded a FIAP Gold Medal in Edinburgh by Anne Cassidy |
OK, that’s the speechless part of the title of this post, so what about the last part – Wrong?
On this blog and in other forums I have been know to say that nudes do not do well in UK international exhibitions. Well very recently I also received a PSA Gold Medal in the Midland Salon with Milky Way, and an SPF Gold Medal in the Scottish Salon with The Sofa.
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| Milky Way – Awarded a PSA Gold Medal in the Midland Salon |
In fact looking through my stats, the UK is my most successful country, with 8 gold medals from the last 7 UK exhibitions (Yes more than 1 per exhibition!), gaining a gold in every exhibition apart from one (the GB Small Print), and two golds in two of them. So I have now changed my opinion of UK international exhibitions, I was wrong! As I often am :-s
How could I have been so wrong? Well actually I followed the advice of another highly successful exhibition entrant Ciaran Whyte by being strategic. This meant I selected the exhibitions I entered carefully, only entering where I felt all of the judges were highly experienced international judges, so that my prints would get a fair hearing – all the gold medals were for prints which is even more satisfying :) Now other photographers of nudes will have had different experiences and hold different views on UK exhibitions, and I respect the views they hold. But given the evidence I must now change my view.
A big thank you as always to the wonderful models who created these latest images with me, Victoria Summers, Holly and Katy Cee, these medals are as much yours as mine. And also a big thank you to all of the judges who awarded these gold medals, getting medals from peers you respect makes them extra special.
Time for a celebration drink I feel :)
p.s. What about the GB Small Print? Well Ciaran strongly advised me not to enter, and for once I ignored his advice and did absolutely miserably – doh!
10 Comments
Tim very well written and very well done! I have not had the courage or I believe the images to yet venture into this salon world. But having John McNairn nearby in Dundee and seeing yours and Ciarans work I am so very inspired to produce better work and enter these comps/ salons.
I do very much like the way you appreciate and pay tribute to those beautiful girls you have worked with to produce the work you do. Without them none of us would do what we do? Well done Tim. It would really nice to meet you one day.
Paul Hirst
Thank you Paul, getting the views of your peers either by showing them to other photographers or entering salons is one of the the best ways of improving, so go for it!
It’d be great to meet you, I am coming up to Scotland three times over the next 12 months.
Another great blog and Congratulations on your achievements which you so richly deserve – kindest regards Elizabethxx
Thank you for your kind words again Elizabeth.
congrats Tim that is some result.I pick up two acceptances with an HC.
Thank you Richard, that’s a great Result for you, any acceptance in Edinburgh is an achievement, an award is extra special.
I shall enjoy my winning streak while it lasts :)
Lightning will strike again and again if you are the tallest tree.
Congratulations!
Thank you Mr Pope, I always enjoy your comments.
Do you have a book of inspiring phrases you use :)
If I don’t state the author, it’s all mine.
[…] of the most prestigious photographic exhibition in the United Kingdom, and why as I mentioned in a previous post I was over the moon to have won two FIAP gold medals and the blue badge for the best author. […]