An important part of being a professional photographer is receiving critique on your work, learning how and where to improve, from experienced time served photographers.
It’s a real pleasure to be part of the West Midlands Region of the Master Photographers Association, it’s a home for the professional photographer to learn and grow in a positive environment.
The regional meetings provide members with a range of talks by industry professionals, small group workshops to learn new skills and a way to network and learn from other local photographers.
One of the most important nights of our calendar is the West Midlands Regional Print Competition. It’s a chance to compete against your peers, but also to receive positive feedback on your work from an industry professional.
Ray Lowe, MPA Chairman, was invited to judge our print competition at Leamington Spa on 3rd July. Anybody that knows Ray, will know his love for the industry. Having served it in many ways over his 40-year career. Ray has also enjoyed a few prestigious awards in that time, so who better to help us improve our work.
After a busy workshop on creative Lighting by Steve Howdle and Stephanie Thornton, our print competition commenced.
It’s a really great and enlightening experience. The standards of work were excellent and the pet/animal category especially was a tough race.
I was pleased to come away with the following awards:
MPA West Midlands Landscape Photographer of the Year
Gold Award – Lanscape
Silver Award – Animals
Four Highly Commended Awards – Animals
After some tough critique, I can’t wait to go away and put it into practice for 2017 and compete again next year.