I was honored with a First Place Award in the Travel Category of  the Image International Photography Contest.  My winning image was recently published in the popular Canadian publication, Photo Life.

Journal entry #15 - The People of Tasmania

As I sit on the plane returning to SF I feel deeply saddened as though a part of my heart has been left in Tasmania. My love for this island does not route from the expected such as sensational landscapes, magical forests, exotic wildlife, but lies in the extraordinary people that I was blessed to meet.

My love of travel is fueled by exposure to various cultures and my love of a country is dependent upon the nature of its people. In my life I have never found a place full of such beautiful people that made me feel safe, welcome, comfortable and embraced. I felt accepted without reservation, judgement or suspicion, which is not always the case when you have a huge camera hanging around your neck. Tasmanians are open people who are kind, generous and willing to share their lives. There is a pureness to them that I haven't been able to find anywhere in the world. They give because they want to, because they have open hearts and minds and they expect nothing in return. The nature of those I was fortunate to meet has truly affected my life and will undoubtfully have a profound affect on me and the way I live my life.

YOU ARE INVITED TO VIEW MY TASMANIA IMAGES (click here) that placed 1st Place at WPPI album competition.  

You may also find out more about my Tassy work and other Adventure Photographers in Rangefinder Magazine, O'Reilly websites, Adobe Lightroom Book by Mikkel Aaland, PDN, TWiT with Leo Laporte, Rangefinder Radio, Adobe Lightroom Gallery Site and by visiting my Blog.

Thank you Mikkel Aaland and all the Lightroom Adventure Sponsors (Adobe, Tourism Tasmania, Epson, Lowepro, O'Reilly and Qantas) for making this trip possible.

 

I was looking through the 2008 BRIDES & WPJA contest winners for inspiration and realized that I got 2nd Place in the Parents Category.  I wonder how many times I have won an award or been published without knowing it???  I guess I should probably pay closer attention!

All winners are published on the WPJA website and in BRIDES magazine.

I received special honors in the WEDDING & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS INTERNATIONAL (WPPI) 2009 Awards of Excellence 16x20 Print Competition.  Designed to recognize outstanding photographers, the judging was held in Las Vegas, NV on February 14 and 15, 2009.

Hall competed against an international field of photographers to win such honors.  The Awards of Excellence 16x20 Print Competition awards are presented each year at the largest trade show, educational platform and convention in the United States for professional photographers. The 2009 competition included 2717 prints in 19 different categories submitted by photographers from all over the world.

For more information please visit WPPI Website

It's a straightforward concept that really took off: a contest on portraits of faces. And based on the overwhelming response PDN received, they stand by the old adage that "Less is more." The winning images are divided into four categories of portraiture: celebrity/editorial, environmental, self-portraits and animals.