I had a really cool experience on the weekend. Rebecca Johansson had organised a huge production for the alternative performers group The Twisted Vaudeville Circus and I came along to lend a hand. Bec is the current WA AIPP Illustrative photographer of the year, so it was epic to see her at work! I shot some BTS stuff for her as no doubt this shoot will gain some interest in the coming months. I also tested out my new (but old and secondhand) Mamiya Pro TL 645 film camera with the 80mm 1.9 lens, with some Ilford film stock, PanF 50 and the Delta 100. When I print these I’m going to try Ilford’s Gold Mono Silk paper.

Thanks Nick for taking part in the competition, I hope you enjoy the limited edition print which is one of my personal favourite pieces.

The first image of an on going series “inside” is up for grabs in a Facebook competition.

The winner will be selected at random and must have shared the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JamesSimmonsPhotography

 

Some great news! I was just announced as an Ilford Master! I have been printing on Gold Fibre Silk for a while now and have loved the results, I was even more excited when I heard Sebastião Salgado was exhibiting on it in London. I’m heading across to the UK on June the 5th to do some work and I’m hoping the exhibition will still be up! Sebastiao Salgado has been one of my photography heros all my life and to be on a list with the likes of him is extremely humbling.

Check out the other Masters Here

So you may have heard, I have an addiction… Initially the thought of it scared me, then the thought started to excite me, then some of my friends started doing it, then I decided it wasn’t that bad for me so i tried it…now I’m a junkie and thats after only a few rolls of the big stuff. Originally it started a long time ago before the 1’s and 0’s but was lost with the new fad. Now I’m back on it and it’s great! Like any junkie I’m looking from more and better highs so if someone could tell me where I can get my hands on a Contax 645 that would be awesome.

ps. I’m talking about film.

AIPP WA Awards night 2013

Well, the state awards are over for another year, and this year saw in some fantastic new rules, categories, and some of the most creative work I have seen to date. The Travel category was added to the list and there was some amazing work from around the globe, one I will know doubt enter in years to come. We also hosted some of the countries finest tallent as guest judges for the event, Vicky Bell, Mercury Megaloudis and Dan O’Day. A massive thank you must go to the inspiring guests and also to the WA AIPP committee for their tireless efforts over the past couple of weeks. It was a great event and I’m proud to say that I was a finalist in the the Wedding category and the Illustrative category. My scores are above each image and here is a list of all the winners. A huge congratulations to all of the winners, you have enriched my life!

“It’s all about the dress” – 90 – Gold Award

“Church Reflections” -89- Silver Distinction

“Here comes Rachael” -81- Silver award

Thanks to James Day for having me as a second shooter on this one.

“Widdi and the Rabbit” – 91 – Gold Award

“The Swentens” – 83 – Silver Award

“Kerala Fishermen” – 90 – Gold Award