IIC/MPI Competition Update: Sometimes Recognition Is Nice To Get…
Even when it’s not your best, creatively.
Image of my silver certificate, with my image imposed, from the 9th annual IIC/MPI competition. Image title is “Raising the Roof” from the aerial/drone photography category. Image copyright Brian Riedel Photography 2023.
I just received an email from the good people at Master Photographers International and their International Image Challenge competition. I am happy that all five of my images entered received medallions in recognition of the quality, composition, and creativity within. I personally was not sure what to expect from this years award series, as most of the images entered, while high in quality and composition departments, I felt were lacking a little in the creativity department. Now, I know, before I get grilled about why would you enter them if they weren’t your best, let me explain-
I just want to clarify that while I didn’t have the best, or most challenging projects, or those with the coolest architecture. I still give each and every client my best effort and give them quality work. So as a challenge, I wanted to see where that work stacked up. Now I know. The medallions I received where, with five images submitted, as follows- four bronze medals and one silver medal. So my count for the last two years are two silver and six bronze. So that tells me two things, well three really. Okay, one, my work is still at the same place as it was last year = good photography (I didn’t get worse, but I didn’t get a whole lot better over those last twelve months). But two, my work has improved over the last year, because while the work was not as challenging or as cool or whatever adjective you want to roll in there, I was able to maintain a higher standard of quality to get those projects to show consistency and growth in the work = better images year over year (creativity aside). And three, it shows me where I need to improve and where I can challenge myself to create more compelling and thought provoking architecture and interiors photography = now this is a challenge to myself for the balance of the year. I am going to take the opportunity to get more creative, start (and finish) more personal projects to push my comfort zone. Taking more time to be creative, do more positive work, reach out to new people, other creatives, take on more classes, push myself in ways I know I need to be pushed. Ask others, in the photography community, in my family, wherever, to hold me accountable in this task. I need… want to be more creative. I want to find those spaces that I’m afraid of stepping into to get “the shot”. Shoot for my clients, but shoot with growth in mind. Not only will these steps help me on my journey and make me grow. But it will show my current, and future, clients that I am willing to take risks to make their projects look beautiful = thus giving them piece of mind that I am a photographer that they can trust and have a certain expectation of consistentancy.
Yes- I will take these medallions and plaster them all over social media, here on the website (if I didn’t do it already), and with every new email I send out. Well, because I am proud of the work I produce for every project I’m given. But I also know that behind these new medals is a lot more hard work that I need to force myself to do, be involved whole-heartedly in my own growth, hold my work to a higher standard, and re-kindle the fun factor in the projects as a whole. Sometimes the work can get repetitive- even though every project has its own set of unique problems to address, unique shooting requirements, and unique design elements. It’s the problem of there are only so many ways to photograph a particular type of product. As photographers we all go through these phases, where it’s hard to find different ways to bring a new sense of creativity to every brief, but that in itself is part of the craft. To get crafty… to see beyond the box, beyond the box. Find its flow, find the parts that make it whole, and find the voice (of the building and those that put their hearts and minds into the design). And give that voice a place and space to be recognized.
My work, while good and getting better, is far from done. Everyday the little wins, the recognition, the comments, the thanks you’s and well done’s help drive me to “keep calm, and carry on” so to speak. And these yearly milestones and markers along the way, keep me in line with my goals and aspirations. They offer a small rear-view mirror of reflection to see where I’ve been, and huge window of opportunity to see where I’m going and how to get there. So thank you to Master Photographers International, the International Imaging Competition and all of the creative leaders in our craft in those specific niche areas, who take the time to become judges for a time, to offer their critique and insight into the submitted works, how we can all improve, where we’ve succeeded, and offer very constructive feedback into each and every image… and I mean each and every one of the thousands of images. Your words and thought, at least for me, never go unheard. Thank you to you all.
Time to get back to work. And having some fun while doing it.
Be well everyone.
