Tag Archives: Gay Pride

New York Photo Festival RESOLUTION 2014 Finalist

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Over the weekend I found out that I’d made it through as a finalist in the New York Photo Festival’s RESOLUTION 2014 competition and will be exhibited at at The POWERHOUSE Arena in Brooklyn NY from  March 27 – April 28, 2014.

It’s really great news to have been chosen and even more so because  both Christel and I will be in New York for the festival and opening night. I’ve never been to New York before and I’ve heard so many great things about the city so I’m majorly fired up to be going there – and obviously taking my camera with me!

RESOLUTION 2014, New York Photo FestivalThe photo they have selected is ‘Touching Distance’ from the London Gay Pride Festival of two guys kissing. I’m really pleased that this photo is being picked up as it’s one of the ones I’m most proud of. I shot it with my “live-on” lens (the Canon EOS 16-35mm f2.8) and whilst it’s not a classic portraiture lens, it really does do the job when I’m shooting away in the streets and I wouldn’t be without it.

More than the competition itself

Going to festivals, exhibitions or similar events is great but there’s always so much more to attending than the nature of the competition itself. It’s the people you meet in the shape of the judges, curators, other nominees and then people who are just plain enthusiastic about photography. Getting that detailed feedback, sharing your experiences and making good friends along the way is often the most rewarding aspect – as was certainly the case with the Art of Photography Show in San Diego last year and I hoping will be with the New York Photo Festival.

There are a couple different facets to RESOLUTION 2014 competition, where there will be a vote for the favourite image (where the winner will receive a 2 hour consultation with John Berthot, former sales director at MAGNUM and photo consultant for FOCUS), a draw for a free powerHouse Portfolio Review slot ($400) and then the Grand Prize itself of $500. So there’ll be a lot to look forward to at the opening reception on March 28 (6-8pm) where they will announce the main winner.

If you’re in the area and you can make it to the New York Photo Festival, it’d be great to see you there.

Mark
March 2014

2013 Freshfields Photography Prize Finalist

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I’m delighted to say that one of my photographs has been shortlisted for the new Freshfields Photography Prize created by law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The shortlist of 10 images has been chosen from the 2013 Renaissance Photography Prize finalists.

Renaissance Photography Prize 2013

The winner will be voted for by the firm’s 4,500 international staff with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer matching each vote cast  with a £1 donation to The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care Charity. I’m particularly pleased to hear that the judging criteria was based on images that “they personally found particularly striking or engaging”.

The selected photo was from my set on the London Gay Pride Festival of two men kissing which will be exhibited as a print from 3rd – 7th September at the Wapping Project Bankside. Tickets for the awards ceremony cost £55, with all proceeds going to The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care Charity to support younger women with breast cancer. Tickets for the awards are available by contacting tickets@nullrenaissancephotography.org.

Mark
August 2013

Renaissance Photography Prize 2013 Finalist

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This morning I was delighted to hear that one of my photos has been selected for the Renaissance Photography Prize 2013.

Renaissance Photography Prize 2013The photo they have selected is one from my set on the London Gay Pride Festival of two men kissing. I’m really pleased that this image has been chosen as I always felt it had a lot of power visually for being only a spontaneous, instinctive shot of a couple on a dance floor.

I was using a wide angle lens that day so I was close to them as it looks. Shots like these are only possible if the subjects around you are relaxed with you being there so I’m very grateful for the trust that was given from everyone around. It’s so much about attitude and the way you carry yourself and I’ve been very fortunate to have many unpaid tutors push and nudge me in the right direction when it comes to this.

Exhibition in Central London

Now in its sixth year all the photos from the Renaissance Photography Prize finalists will be exhibited as prints from 3rd – 7th September at the Wapping Project Bankside (which is a stone’s throw from the Tate Modern on London’s Southbank). There will be a champagne reception and awards ceremony on 5th September where the main winners for Best Single Image, Best Series, as well as the three Category Winners(Single Images) and the Runner-Up Prize (Series) will be announced. Tickets for the awards ceremony cost £55, with all proceeds going to The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care Charity to support younger women with breast cancer. Tickets for the awards are available by contacting tickets@nullrenaissancephotography.org.

Look forward to seeing you there,

Mark
June 2013