#sipb

Looking back at the whole of the project from start to finish, I feel like I have really come a long way in terms of coming up with ideas and clearly showing my progression through to the final products. I have never felt so happy with the outcomes of any project previously, and feel that this project has really helped my confidence in my own abilities. I have tackled alternative approaches to the brief, and feel like I have come up with some very different ideas, all of which have great contextual meaning. I have shown that I can put deep meanings behind the images I create, which is something I have really struggled with previously. With all 4 of my final images, I have shown the development of how they came about, and have produced the work which I planned to produce. 

I came across a few problems during the module, such as the small file size for my VHS image, model cancellations etc, but managed to overcome each one without my work being jeopardised. 

Even though I did not create the images with the Sony Awards in mind (as in I did not have the intention to create ‘winning’ images) I feel like they are all competition worthy. Maybe not in photographic/technical ability, as looking at some of the previous winning entries they are stunning in terms of technicality and aesthetics, but my images show an alternative approach and provide something a bit different that may not be seen often in the competition entries.

I have entered the Sony awards previously, so I already knew the process of submitting etc, but didn’t ever consider submitting again as my confidence has really lacked over the past year, however after this module I feel like I will definitely be entering more competitions. I have the mind set that even if your work isn’t a winner or even shortlisted, it is a great way to keep your personal work active and keep your personal creativity from being dampened by client work. 

I have looked at the Lenscratch competition which the deadline for submissions is May 31st. For this competition the entry requirements are 15 images all from 1 body of work. As I enjoy working in series format, I think this would be a great competition to enter as it would allow me to explore a topic that I enjoy or something that means a lot to me. The options are endless for this competition as there are no other requirements, so I will start to think of possible series ideas shortly after christmas to give me time to whittle them down to the best one. 

BJP Breakthrough is also a fantastic competition to enter and I feel that the exposure you would get from winning this competition would be much greater than Lenscratch. There are also 4 winners which gives you a greater chance. 

‘Four winners will receive a two-week exhibition in east London and have their work published across British Journal of Photography’s online, print and social channels. Winners will also be showcased globally on WeTransfer, the world’s leading file transfer site.’

There are also no entry requirements for this competition so it is again a great opportunity to delve into some personal work and have a focus for.

A critical aspect of this project was how can we take the subject of our self initiated project and make it something long term, a personal project to continue onward into the future. This was never a problem with my project, as the subject of my images is something I have been doing in my free time for a year now, and I am sure that I will continue on with, photographing and editing for my own pleasure (and in fact, am even writing about in my dissertation this year).

I am not a fan of competitions, ever; they’re just something I’ve never been particularly interested in or turned on by, as it were. However, this self initiated project and working towards the Sony Open competition has shown me the opportunities for photographer and doors that winning, or at least placing, can be opened to someone in this industry. Therefore, when thinking about the future and possible companions that I could submit my work in after graduation, I looked at the awards out there. A lot of work I do is photojournalism, therefore awards such as NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism Awards, World Press Photo Awards, Freelens Award, the National Geographic Photo Contests, and The Terry O’Neill Photographic Awards interested me, in particular the Terry O’Neill Photographic Award because of the style and diversity within the award category. Then in terms of my more fashion, portraiture and art photography, obviously LensCulture Award is something to look at, as well as Art Gemini Prize and the International Colour Awards, again for their diversity in imagery. I’d say of all the competitions I have just mentioned, the International Colour Awards interest me most, in terms of the style of photography and the number of categories I could enter, with my type of photography.