Tag: Guild of Photographers

New Qualification – Craftsman

Yesterday, 9th May I travelled up to Stoke on Trent to the Headquaters of the Guild of Photographers to sit my Craftsman Qualification. This qualification is equivalent to the Assocatiate Qualification I gained with the SWPP but the difference being the images had to be presented in person and in print.

The images are judged by 5 Judges that all hold the Master Craftsman qualification and have been through a tough training programme to become judges.

20 images have to be submitted printed in mounted at a minimum size of 16″x12″. If you are a proffessional photographer you are also required to povided proof of Public Liability insurance, a finished product that would be given to the customer and a book showing all the images. The the images also have to be provided in a digital format should they judges want to look at the images more closely on a computer screen.

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I didnt realise how nervous I was until all 5 judges were facing me and I had to read my supporting words about my panel to them. I was begining to wish I had not laminated it as at one point I was in danger of it sounding like a thunder storm as I shook so much!

The Judges then turn to view your panel and you leave the room while the look at the images closely and then a vote is taken.

I am glad to say that I got the thumbs up from all five judges.

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(Image copyright David Islip)

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Up for an Award

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I am very pleased to say that for the third year running I have reached the Final of the fiercely contested Guild of Photographers Image of the Year Competition.

The Guild is a highly respected UK based association for photographers which has members from overseas as well. Each year it runs an on-line monthly photographic competition, judged by internationally respected judges with awards given to the best entries.

During 2017, the competition has attracted around 1200 entries per month from the most talented of photographers.

It has just been announced that from all the entries across the year, the Guild’s Judges have selected JUST 12 images in various genres to go forward to the annual Image of the Year Final. Those selected really are the best of the best, and  I have been selected as a finalist in the Pet Genre.

Guild Director Lesley Thirsk said “One of the Guild’s aims is to drive standards and creativity amongst photographers. Our monthly competition certainly does that, for the standard of the entries we see each month is quite staggering. To have an image recognised by the Guild in the monthly competition is difficult enough, so to have an image selected as being one of the best in a category for the end of year Final is without doubt an incredible achievement, and shows just how talented photographer, name is”
I love photography and put a lot of effort into developing my skills. One way I do that is to enter the Guild’s competition. It drives forward photography standards month after month and so it helps me push myself. The standards are really high and to have one of my images shortlisted in the overall final again is a real honour.

The final outcome will be announced at a lavish Awards night in a magnificent Jacobean mansion in Cheshire on 3rd February 2018.

To find out more about the Guild of Photographers and their competition visit their website (www.photoguild.co.uk), and to find out more about me visit my website at www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk.

A Good Start to the New Year!

Happy New Year to you all and I hope you had a good Christmas too.

The year has certainly started off well for me with a Nomination for Photographer of the Year with the Guild of Photographers. Last year I got nominated in the Dog genre, this year I have a nomination in the Equine genre.

Yesterday the Oxford Mail kindly celebrated this achievement with me in their Newspaper and also on line. Oxford Mail – on-line

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The nominated image was taken on a shoot with a lovely client and her old labrador and this handome chap. The shoot was a gift to her from her boyfriend.

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It is hard enough to get an award in the monthly competitions, each year the standards get higher and the competition is fierce so to be nominated in the top ten is a great honor for me.  The main thing for me is that I am able to produce good quality images to my clients that they love because they bring out the personalities of their animals and have something to treasure forever.

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If you would like to book a session then give me a call. 01235 763359 or 07818427876

www.meltaylorphotography.co.uk