And of course, time went far too quickly, as it does! Toby is already begging to go back; he had an amazing time, and grew up just a little bit more for the experience, which is both sad and wonderful.

Over the last few days, I’ve been busy editing the many images I made while we were there, and I can’t tell you how hard it was to decide how best to show my favourites; chronologically or grouped in themes, and if it was themes, what themes would I choose?! I decided to start with a small selection of simple landscape images, mostly of the divine skies we enjoyed there. Dusk was my favourite time of day, and since hubby and I took turns supervising Toby at the kids’ buffet dinner which took place on the deck of the central entertainment area of the resort, there was always time to steal a few frames: that big, beautiful sky and flat, endless sea was hard to avoid.

For the photographers: many of these images were shot on my Fuji x100, and the rest on my trusty old 5Dmk2. To be honest, I wouldn’t have been able to tell which was which when I was editing, unless I checked the original file name, or zoomed in to look at detail on 100% (obviously the full frame sensor of the 5Dmk2 is much better able to capture tiny details from a long way away). The Fuji x100 is an awesome little camera to travel with, and even hubby put it to good use!

At first I argued: but I have too much to do, I’ll get too distracted, I can’t.

Then I got over myself, picked up my brand new, unused Fuji x100, and headed out the door.

I admit to taking more than 6: it took me a good 10 minutes to work out how to use my new toy! But then I got lost in the glorious winter light, the warmth of the sun on my skin, and in another 20 minutes I was back inside uploading these. They were all taken on manual on the x100, all at f8 (out of my comfort zone!), except for the last one.

It was fun, you should try it.

I was SO happy to be there with a gorgeous, talented and uber-supportive bunch of photographer-friends, most of whom received AMAZING results during the APPA judging. It was exciting, thrilling and inspirational watching prints being judged that belonged to some of my closest friends, and also those belonging to the many amazing photographers who lead our industry and inspire the hell out of the rest of us (not to mention, nerve-wracking, emotional and exhausting waiting and listening to my own prints being judged!).

I was utterly thrilled to receive 3 out of 3; two silvers and one silver distinction, with a score of 88 (my first ever print in that score range!). The judges were very divided on my first two images (below), and although I had two judges on each panel score in the silver distinction range (85-89), the other judges disagreed, so they remained at silver. Of course, it’s wonderful listening to your print being fought for, but disheartening when it’s criticised! (We all pour our hearts and souls into our work and so sometimes entering the awards can feel a bit like voluntarily standing on stage in your birthday suit!)  There are many factors that make up an award winning image and many factors that judges use to determine scores. It’s a fascinating process to watch and be a part of, and I would encourage any and every photographer, enthusiast or professional, who has never been or seen it, to come along next year. The judging is open to the public at both the state and national awards, and you can stay posted on dates and times via the AIPP website.

So, I made a complete fool of myself during the judging of the last print by bursting into tears of joy and gratefulness! I was so fortunate to have Jesh De Rox on the panel at the time it came up. Jesh saw something in this image (below) that not all the judges on the panel saw at first, and he argued passionately for it. When the re-score came up I nearly fell off my chair – the scores were 89, 89, 88, 88 and 88. I had one wish this year for APPAs, and that was to outdo last year’s results. This cinched the deal and I just couldn’t be happier!

The APPAs are held each June, and are national, but before the APPAs come around, every state holds their own AIPP print awards – it’s a great opportunity to put some work out there and see how it goes, without the stress and pressure of the nationals. So back in March, I entered several images in the ACT/NSW AIPP Print Awards, and was stoked to receive 5 silver awards. I didn’t post my winning images at the time, as I wanted to wait until after the APPAs. So here are the remaining two award images from the state awards which I didn’t enter in APPAs.

I haven’t had a lot of time in recent months for personal work, so this collection of images taken on the streets of Melbourne over one afternoon and one morning has left me with a deep sense of satisfaction and contentment.

This is a city I know little of, but with which I feel a deep affinity. I hope you can feel it too.

To be a star,
you must shine your own light,
follow your own path,
and don’t worry about the darkness,
for that is when the stars shine brightest.

My itinerary also included a heck of a lot of socialising and an insane amount of laughter. I met many new people, and got to spend time with many lovely friends as well. (Oh, and I shopped too, of course! A trip to Melbourne is never complete without shopping!)

And quite apart from the social aspect, I saw some absolutely amazing work, a lot of which was by those I am fortunate enough to call friends. Many of my fellow ‘emerging’ photographers entering for the first time picked up more than one award for their prints, and it was all just so exciting to watch and be a part of. Congratulations to all of you gorgeous, clever people, including those who didn’t make it over that frustrating ’79′ – you are all winners in my eyes!

Those of you who follow my facebook page may have have noticed a few excited status updates from the judging, but for those who don’t, I’m so thrilled and happy to share with you that I was awarded three silver awards for the three prints I entered! The first two were in the Illustrative category, and third was in Portrait (the same image I got a silver for at the state awards earlier in the year). There is a new category in the APPAs called Family, which is all about the every day work of photographers who specialise in photographing babies, children and families – it was fascinating to watch the judging of that category and I will definitely be entering it next year.

So for anyone reading this who:

• has never been a part of the AIPP APPAs or state print awards
• is just getting into photography and looking for inspiration
• wants to see some amazing work that you would never ordinarily get the chance to see
• wants to learn and network with other photographers
• is about to make the leap into professional photography…

Let me urge you to go along to next year’s APPAs (which I believe will be in Sydney) and watch the judging. Treat yourself to three days of total immersion in the professional industry. It’s fascinating, inspiring, educational and a whole heap of fun. I am already looking forward to 2011!!!

We recently took a much needed little family break to Jervis Bay, my favourite place on the NSW South Coast. It was a beautiful four days and I didn’t want to come home at the end of it. I took lots of photos, and here is a little taste. I promise there will be more to come soon.

I have never fished, but I imagine it’s a pretty amazing feeling, especially the way this guy was doing it, completely surrounded by the raw power of the sea.

Here are my award winning images:

I doubt there are many people who wouldn’t remember that quote, even if they’re not sure exactly where they heard it. I came across it again recently, and I can still remember how it made me feel when I heard it for the first time.

When our hearts are open, beauty is easy to see…
 

Yet when we’re hurting and we want to hide, we hardly notice it. It’s still there, though… and if we can just still our minds for a minute and open our eyes, we’ll see it, and everything else will melt away.