Masters of Photography - Annie Leibovitz

The Masterclass

And the last word is...

Martin Faltejsek - Personality umbraco.MacroEngines.DynamicXml

Personality

a story by Martin Faltejsek

"Embrace your imperfections, they make you who you are". I profoundly stand for this. In this photo I wanted to show human/our defencelessness and how vulnerable we are. Human personality is something really strange, weird, easy-to-hurt and suggestible. I simply do not get mean people.

The judges said

The spontaneous yet controlled nature of this shot is very appealing. The setting and colour harmony works well to create a visually stimulating and thought provoking image.

A very effective image - carefully constructed. Framed by the darker trunks of the trees a lot of space and cool colours - contrasting with the warm colours of the leaves and the girl's hair, which mix together. The leaves aren't falling, but circling her, the crossed arms, closed eyes and expression indicating an inner world, contained and complete.

The competition was very difficult to judge. The variety of subject matter and approach of the photographers provided the three selectors with an interesting but challenging task.

A combination of great ideas and sound technique resulted in an excellent set of pictures. The competition was so fierce that many, quite outstanding images just failed to make the top ten positions. The winners should, quite rightly, be delighted that their work has been recognised.

Runners up

Second prize

GENIE by Jonatan Agami

The Story

- Is that the singer of that band? Or is it "Your wish is my command?.." * Ivar, the leading singer of a Swedish band.

The Judges Said

The user of a singular light has given strength to the quirky but creative shadow. The decisive moment and careful positioning of all the relevant elements is the key to its success.

Excellent quality and management of the space within the frame, it is a simply, but very carefully constructed, image, with the lighting really making the shadow. the ball, with it's highlight, connects to his shadow and its shadow controls the top left corner. Meanwhile, his hand invites us over to meet his shadow.

Third prize

Life by Gabor Dvornik

The Story

When you are young, you run and hustle, you dare, you get wounded and you do it again and again. If you are wise enough, you learn from your errors and will do better from day to day. Life gives this experience but is a costly thing - gives you scars and wrinkles to your face.

The Judges Said

A strong, dynamic portrait demonstrating great craftsmanship to show the face as a work of art. The tight crop and overall quality of this image makes it very compelling.

A very traditional portrait, but well done. The eyes draw you, the hands form a base, it marries perfectly with the statement.

The best of the rest

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The Judges

The Royal Photographic Society

Our esteemed judging panel is comprised of the President, and two distinguished Fellows of The Royal Photographic Society. Each of them are highly experienced photographers and photography competition judges at national and international level.

Judges Top Tips

  • Take time - think about what you want to photograph and what you want your photo to say.
  • Fill the frame with the subject, or in other words compose your image in the camera's viewfinder.
  • Look at the Lighting. It's all about the light you use. Look at the quality of the light falling on your subject.  Are there distracting shadows?  Would a different time of day create a better effect?
Roy Robertson

Roy Robertson Hon FRPS (President of The Royal Photographic Society)

Roy has been an Architect and Photographer for over 40 years, with work on-display at exhibitions in Europe and the USA.

Leo Palmer

Leo Palmer FRPS FPSA MPSA

Leo started to study photography in 1975, digital imaging in 1995 and continues to do both.

Vanessa Slawson

Vanessa Slawson FRPS FBPPA ASWPP AFIAP DPAGB

Vanessa Slawson is an accomplished photographer and tutor in both the amateur and professional worlds.

The Prizes

1st Prize

The overall winner of The Macallan Masters of Photography 2012 competition will win an incredible photographic tour of Scotland for them and a partner.

This will include 2 nights stay in the capital Edinburgh before being taken to the home of The Macallan, Easter Elchies house. Situated on the banks of the Spey, at Easter Elchies house you will be treated to a full distillery tour and photography themed visit, sampling a selection of The Macallan's finest whiskies.

In addition to this fantastic trip, The Macallan Masters of Photography 2012 competition winner will also recieve a brand new Fujifilm X-Pro1 camera. The X-Pro1 is a modern classic created for the discerning photographer who lets nothing stand in the way of quality. Fujifilm X-Pro1 offers superb quality, fast aperture interchangable lenses and will allow the lucky winner to capture in detail each moment of this once in a lifetime trip. 

 

 

Win a trip to the Scotland to visit the stunning capitol city & The Macallan distillery umbraco.MacroEngines.DynamicXml

2nd Prize

Runners-up will receive the impressive Macallan Iceball Machine and a leather wrapped hipflask

This year's second prize winners will also be able to indulge their love of photography and whisky with the Fujifilm X100 and an exclusive The Macallan Ice Ball machine and glassware, worth £650.

This camera combines classic styling and handling with cutting edge optical and electronic design. The 23mm f/2 Fujinon prime lens and superb hybrid optical viewfinder bring purity back to photography, while The Macallan Ice Ball will be a revelation to those who enjoy their whisky chilled. The Macallan Ice Ball can instantly transform a large cube of ice into an ice ball that will melt more slowly than traditonal ice cubes and not dilute your whisky as quickly, allowing you to saver the purity of The Macallan whisky however you choose to serve it.

 

 

3rd Prize

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For our runner up winner we have yet another fantastic Fujifilm camera to give away. The Fujifilm X10 is a camera so stylish and so capable you'll bever want to leave it behind. A state-of-the-art EXR CMOS sensor sits behind a revolutionary collapsible 28-112mm f/2-2.8 optical zoom - all housed in a recision engineered body. Perfect for capturing your next winning shot.

In addition to this fantastic camera we will also be sending our third prize winner the luxury The Macallan Ice Ball machine and glassware.   

The Macallan Masters of Photography - Annie Leibovitz Edition
Date of Birth

View the exclusive Annie Leibovitz photo shoot and discover The Macallan's limited edition whisky range.

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