Along with 100 other entries, an exhibition on the lower ground floor of the Central Plaza in Rundle Mall, Adelaide includes two of my prints on show. As this exhibition runs through the SA school holidays and in such a prominent location, I am particularly proud that my photography is represented.
Every year the South Australian Photographic Federation (SAPF) stages a photography exhibition that invites submissions from all SA photographic clubs. Being new to the state, I was keen to submit a few prints. I attended the August launch of the exhibition at which the SAPF announced the winners and acceptances, and was delighted to learn that one of my prints came third in the Mono category and another achieved a merit in the Open Colour category.
West Cape Lighthouse
I took this shot during a South Coast Camera Club outing to the Yorke Peninsula at the beginning of June. On reviewing all the photos that I had taken, the only aspect of this image that really appealed to me was the composition and therefore not worthy of a competition entry.
However, a week later, lying in bed, wide awake in the middle of the night, my mind turned its attention to that image. Within a couple of minutes, I knew how I had to process it in order to take it up a few levels. The lighthouse is clad in metal, the sky was cloudless and the foreground fairly flat. This lent it to becoming a monochrome.
My first stop in the morning was the computer to articulate what was in my mind’s eye, before it faded.
By darkening the sky and foreground, the main subject really stands out, assisted by the strong leading line of the concrete path extending to the left hand side of the structure. The dark background and bright subject reflect the original purpose of a lighthouse – to shine, be prominent and to warn of imminent danger.
Finally, the only paper stock that would suit this image by mimicking the finish of the lighthouse was metallic gloss. I was pleased enough with the final outcome to submit it to the exhibition and delighted it was awarded third place.
Rusty Relic at Sunrise
This image has achieved good results in local club competitions and has been accepted into a couple of international exhibitions, so I thought I would give it another airing.
Taken by drone at Lake Tyrrell in Victoria, this is one of many shots I took of this and other items of rusty machinery stuck in the middle of the salt lake from above and at ground level. It was already printed and mounted, making it easy and cost effective for me to submit it.
I was convinced that a couple of my other submissions would do better, but this one achieved a merit – a result that I am more than happy with.
What’s next?
I have entered a few prints into the exhibitions at the Yankalilla and Port Elliot Shows. The former is on Saturday 5 October and the latter on 12 & 13 October. It will be interesting to see how I fair in both of those – watch this space!