FAMILY & THE FAMILAR

5TH ANNUAL

WESTPHOTO

PHOTOGRAPHY

PRIZE

FAMILY & THE FAMILIAR

PRESS RELEASE 2011

Welcome to the Annual WESTPHOTO Photography Prize 2011.

Last yearís Photography Prize took the student competition international, hauling in fresh photographic talents from the prestigious Aalto University, Helsinki, Lette Verein, Berlin and the University of Westminster, London. The University of Westminster is the longest standing University in the UK successfully offering a diverse and wide range of degrees based photographic courses.

WESTPHOTO and the competition, now in itís fifth year, play host to all students interested in photography regardless of their field of study. Aiming to promote the growing professional talent hidden within further education and create opportunities for learning within a professional working environment.

Every year the competition exceeds expectations and the collaboration with the international Universitties showcases photographic talent from all over the world and is a great oppourtunity for students to engage with photography as well as different cultures.

The WESTPHOTO Photography Prize 2010 appointed the topic of ëBorderí as its theme and attracted a diverse range of works from over 1,000 entries within the Media, Arts and Design departments of all three Universities.

Last yearís first place was awarded to Antti Karvinen and his project of black & white vernacular images depicting the vulnerability and uncertainty in everyday life. The work was prominently featured in the catalogue and created interest with some prominent galleries and magazines. Judges in 2010 included highly acclaimed Photographic Director of the Telegraph Magazine, Cheryl Newman and celebrated photographer Edgar Martins.

WESTPHOTO Director Andre Pinkowski says:

ìLast yearís competition was the biggest and most successful yet. We are very pleased to have invited students from leading international places of photographic education. This collaboration resulted in exhibitions in Helsinki, Berlin and London, providing great exposure for the shortlisted photographers and a great insight in young and talented photography for the audience.î

This year, extending internationally to the prestigious F+F Schule f¸r Kunst und Mediedesign in Zurich, Switzerland will culminate in a series of exhibitions to be held at the Ambika P3 Gallery, London and in Zurich, Switzerland. Please join us in this great celebration of contemporary photography and support the future of these forthcoming photographers.

For more information please contact

Andrea Gohl ñ andrea.gohl@ffzh.ch

Bindi Vora ñ competition@westphoto.co.uk

Few are the times when glamour/fashion photography awakens my interest and eye but sometimes I happen to come across "glamourish" jeweleries that make my sorry-ass student photographer soul to say "Ohhhh, I wanna do that too". (cuz it's so pretty. pretty darn good). Today is the case. Jean-Francois Lepage is utterly awesome in his cold-edged fashion photography and will definitely add him on my personal list of favourite photographers. He kind of reminds me of a surrealist Lorca diCorcia with a bit of a Terry Richardson twist here and there. Enjoy!

Steven Tynan - Willy Wonka and the Photography Factory

Right before I say what I have to say (tautology is funny when it's funny) I would rather state the evidence first and then try to develop a relatively nice discourse, eh? So, here it goes: Now, I know what most people would say (duh!): "OMG, is that like a nude old disgusting man taking photos of him and his willy?" And yes, you are right. Still... Today the westphoto team had a brief discussion about Steve Tynan and his photographic series and although most of us felt like it's a little bit "too much", we could not find a valid reason NOT to like it or as to say totally hate it. I personally like his works in a sense that arouses (i don't think i should actually say "arouse" in this context) lots of mixed feelings. This self-made caricature man has probably achieved one of his main goals and that is to shock and provoke and obviously it kinda hits you in the face and gut. Leaving that aside, if you do have this power, it is interesting enough to find beauty and aesthetic bliss in these, altogether with little personal stories of un/happiness that can come together and create fantastic meanings. For all these, I am extremely curious what lecturers and arts professors would say about him. I would really like to see him discussed, teared apart, loved or just mentioned. Of course, something else than "omg, he's disgusting, i dont wanna look at his pictures". Which is shallow and boring and it means you are a stupid spoiled brat and I don't wanna talk to you. (Ahahah, I'm kidding! Actually, no, I'm not.) I have the feeling that these series are aimed mostly at those who have enough openness and gut to look and analyze the photos from various positions and levels and I'm seriously looking forward to others opinion. I featured him in this blog in the hopes of creating interesting discussions about it. Who knows, it may actually energize your inspirational juices for future projects. So, if you feel like stating something about Steve Tynan, please feel free to comment upon. Anything is welcome. (except "yo' mamma" jokes, i really luv my mom). PS: the first picture kind of reminds me of this. Visit his on-line gallery here.

How to avoid camera loss.

Because this is mainly a photography blog, it might come in handy for all those dreamy photographers out there to actually share this topic about "How to avoid camera loss". In fact, such a blessed idea comes from Andrew McDonald and his witty humour to help us manage more of our equipment, (probably) due to nights of heavy drinking, never-ending hangovers or just busy times when your mind is more than in one place. Please visit his "How to avoid camera loss" for further guidance. And next time when this happens, you might wanna pay more attention to your stuff. I'm just saying! :D

Welcome!

Creating a new blog for whatever cause, message or idea is always confronted with the problem of "what's lucky post no.1?" Obviously, this is the case here. In the name of the new born blog, the westPhoto Picture Agency team wish you a warm welcome and happy browsing through the marvelous pictures that will follow shortly. Photo: Tomas Hein