Kellicutt …

The job is done …  and the winners announced in the “2014 Kellicutt International Photo Show”.

Myself and fellow judges Scott Atkinson and Oliver Klink had a very difficult task whittling down the final 45 images (from 15 different countries) on the exhibition walls in San Francisco to the final places.

We finally awarded first place to a great image by photojournalist Goran Jovic from Croatia.

Below I’ve posted Goran’s winning image (top) and a couple of the distinguished place getters – ‘Parenting’ by Edward L Rubin (USA) and ‘J.R. Roselio’ by Larry Louie (Canada). All the final 45 images can be found at http://www.kellicutt.org

Images © Goran Jovic, Edward L Rubin, Larry Louie

Home Alone Goran Jovic

Parenting Edward L Rubin

J.R. Roselio Larry Louie

July 4th & San Francisco …

Thanks to the organisers of “The Kellicutt International Photo Show” (of which I am honoured to be one of this years three judges) I found my myself in the coastal community of Half Moon Bay California on the most important day of the year for most Americans – July 4th Independence Day.

Just south of the San Francisco metropolis, Half Moon Bay is a pretty satellite community based around agriculture and fishing. The main street – Main Street (surprisingly) – comes alive on July 4 with a colourful traditional local parade. All can join in the fun …

Parades of this type are becoming rarer as community and family values fade over time.

I greatly enjoyed the atmosphere on the day and making the images and have now posted a pic essay “July 4th” to “Latest Stories” on the ‘fotostrada’ web site at http://www.fotostrada.com/#/latest-stories/july-4th/BC_USAJuly4_31

Tonight (July 5th) I will be attending the big presentation of awards evening at “The Kellicutt International Photo Show”. Fellow judges and photographers Scott Atkinson, Oliver Klink and myself have now selected the winners and place getters from the forty five hanging in the exhibition which were whittled down from the initial circa twelve hundred entries from around the planet. The prize winning works are a diverse selection from all forms of photography including portrait, landscape, wildlife and photojournalism. More about the winners later … ! I’m also deeply appreciative of the invitation and hospitality provided by the photo show organisers Jeff and Kirsten Klagenberg … Thanks Guys!

Below I’ve posted just a couple of teaser images from the pic essay “July 4th”.

Images © Brian Cassey

 

A Win … and a Third … in the US …

Just received the great news that TWO of my images featured in last nights presentation of awards at the “2012 Kellicutt International Juried Photo Show” in California. My image of Carol Mayer – “Carol – Burns Survivor” – was judged the overall Winner (very gratifying!), whilst my image from Udaipur India – “Rajasthan Dancers” gained a Third place!!!

The theme of this years show was “Vibrant” and it is indeed an honour to have two images selected by the judges from a large contingent of amazingly vibrant and accomplished works from around the World.

The jurors made some very nice comments in regards to my images … and I will ensure that Carol gets to see the comments made about the image of her below …

From juror Kate Jordahl – “Difficult to look at, but as the eyes are the windows to the soul, we see a soul strong and loving, sad and knowing. We are drawn into the tragedy and triumph of this women’s life. The photographer truly connected with Carol and allows us to see her with empathy and understanding.”

From juror Scott Atkinson – “At first I looked away from this print, but it’s impossible to escape the spirit in those eyes! The face, like a windswept landscape, is now burnished to a swirling patina by both time and the camera’s selective focus. The slightly smudged lipstick adds a touch of normal. But it’s those eyes, those sharply focused blue eyes, that show the vibrant world that lives behind the skin. They’ll follow you throughout the gallery.”

From juror Michael Collopy – “The deep blue calm of her eyes accented by her red lips provides the viewer a direct connection to her apparent triumph over tragedy that is written in her textured face. Her eyes follow you throughout the room. This is a visually arresting photograph that is beautifully and simply achieved. It has a profound result. I liked the fact the photographer chose natural light to illuminate this beautiful portrait. It is a tight crop that continues the honest, revealing and direct dialogue between the photographer and subject. The stunning result conveys the trust and connection that the photographer has achieved.”

Kate Jordahl also commented on the Rajasthan pic – “Movement and color join in a literal dance of light and life. This image captures the swirling dancers at the peak moment of this event showing us as only as photography can what we can feel but not actually see with our eyes.”

Seems like I get a very nice trophy (image below) and a little cheque … and the exhibition of the 45 Finalist images will continue at the Coastal Arts League Gallery in Half Moon Bay CA  before the exhibition moves to the Calumet Gallery in San Francisco in August.

Would have been very nice to have been at the awards presentation in the U S of A on Saturday night … c’est la vie …

Below the pic of the trophy are my Winning and Third placed images – “Carol – Burns Survivor” and “Rajasthan Dancers” – © Brian Cassey