Sky Arts is currently airing a TV competition entitled Master of Photography. The show documents the challenges set for 12 photographers, both amateur and professional, as they compete against each other to win the competition, the prestige and the prize fund of €150,000.
The contestants have been selected from a wide range or entrants from throughout Europe. The final twelve include Laura Zalenga, Marta Lallana Garcia, Lanka Perren, Dragica Carlin, Yan Revazov, Gabriele Micalizzi, Neal Gruer, Gina Soden, Hongwei Tang, Mary Stuart, Sebastian Siebel and Rupert Frere.
Laura Zalenga (third row, second in from the left, yellow hat), is from Germany. Her portfolio submission included a great deal of self-portraiture, as “she feels that spending time with yourself is a way to discover who you are, to understand and accept yourself, because if you are at peace with yourself you can bring peace to others too”.
Marta Lallana Garcia, (third row, first in from the left, light brown hair), from Spain, is the youngest contestant. She discovered her passion for photographer while studying cinema in University and aims to one day work as a Director of Photography in film.
Lanka Perren (back row, first in from the left), is from France. He has only recently found his passion for photography, developing his characteristic style over the last three years based on photojournalism and publishing.
Dragica Carlin (third row, first in from the right) is a Croatian-English photographer, based in London, who uses photography to fuel her creative process as a professional painter. Carlin often photographs textures, hidden spaces and the fleeting aspects of life.
Yan Revanoz (third row, first in from the right) age 36, is from Russia. He originally trained as a professional ballet dancer, photographing behind the scenes and stage performances, eventually (following an injury) he decided to become a full-time photographer.
Gabriele Micalizzi (second row, first in from the left) is a professional Spanish photographer. Working as a photo-reporter, Micalizzi has covered war zones, politics and particularly admires the historic importance and power of the press.
Neal Gruer (third row, second in from the right, grey hat) is a Scottish-Ghanaian solicitor, who recently decided to return to Glasgow dedicate his life full-time to art. This includes playing the violin, reviewing films and writing.
Gina Soden (second row, middle, blue hair) is an English photographer from London. She specialises in the beauty, decadence, nostalgia and neglect to be found in abandoned buildings.
Hongwei Tang (front row, holding selfie stick) is an amateur photographer from Vienna. Tang believes photography is a powerful tool for self-expression and transforming abstract ideas into reality.
Mary Stuart (third row, first in from the left, sunglasses), Italian, found Photography to be a cure; a form of art therapy. She discovered the power of photography during her youth, and it enabled her to break free of solitary and explore the world.
Sebastian Siebel (back row, middle) is a professional photographer from Berlin. Photography became he passion during school, and that passion has never waned. Siebel aims “to share his vision of things and secrets hidden from the visual world”.
Finally, Rupert Frere (back row, first in from the right) is a British Army Photographer. For Frere, “emotion is the most important ingredient of his photography”. Despite photographing during the midst of battle, “the last time he was frightened was when he was called to photograph her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and she told him she thought the photos were too dark.”
The series is hosted by Isabella Rosellini, and the photographers are judged by Rut Blees Luxembourg, Oliviero Toscani and Simon Frederick.
Rosellini is known throughout the world as an Italian-American actress, filmmaker, author, model and philanthropist.
Luxembourg is a German photographer, who lives and works in London at the Royal College of Art. Toscani is known on the international scene for the power of his controversial advertising campaigns, including the United Colours of Benetton and ‘No Anorexia’. Finally, Frederick is a self-taught photographer and he embraces the lack of restrictions that academic convention often teaches others. Renowned as a photographer, he has also moved on to directing short films and documentaries, and recently his first movie.
The show began airing on Sky Arts in the UK on Thursday 21st July, with the next episode following weekly on Thursday nights at 8pm, running for a total of eight episodes.
The show is supported by company ‘Leica’ who appear to have provided the equipment used by the contestants, and is credited online as “Exclusive Technical Provider”.
At the time of posting, five episodes have been aired. These can be watched by Sky customers on catch up or on select devices using ‘Sky Go’.
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