TASMANIAN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2011

Well, this week has left me with a few bags under my eyes, a better knowledge of what I don't know about the art of printing, some glassware for the mantelpiece and a very deep and genuine smile... After a few weeks of tossing and turning in my sleep over what to put in, and an all nighter of printing on the last day, I managed to get 12 prints in to the EpsonTasmanian Professional Photographer of the Year awards held here in Hobart. After an intense and fascinating day of judging, and a fair bit of breath holding, I was announced Tasmanian Professional Photographer of the Year for 2011. On the way I picked up the titles of Landscape Photographer of the Year, General Photographer of the Year and Runner up Portrait Photographer of the Year to boot.

Somebody joked about needing a trolley!

Here is a web gallery of the winning images...

http://gallery.me.com/paulhoelen#100596

Six categories were judged by a panel of five judges and the scores of the four prints in each were added together to determine the highest score and overall winner for the category. Sometimes the scores varied widely and this generated some fascinating and very educational debate. It's amazing what people can see within the imagery. We had two new categories this year, Landscape and Family, and a record number of entries. I entered 12 prints and 11 of them won awards. I came away with one Gold, four Silver with Distinction and six Silver Awards all up. Woohoo!

It has definitely been a goal of mine to do well here, but to do this well has just blown me away!

I have many people to thank: the judges for their eloquent words and discerning scoring - particularly Andrew and Robyn Campbell; the Tas AIPP Board for all their hard volunteer work and for pulling a bonus prize out of thin air for me; Ian & Ruth at Campbell St Framers for their fantastic mounting and helping me squeak my entries in on time, but most of all I have to thank the beautiful Mandarine Montgomery - her discerning eye with image selection, subtle retouching skills, patient explanation of photoshop tools to a complete hack like me and fantastic support through all the crazy hours were the main reason I made it here! Thank you Mandy...