At a wonderful evening at the UK Picture Editors Guild Awards, held at the Honourable Artillery Company, I was honoured to have received a joint commendation for my portfolio of five portraits, placing the images as third in the UK, in the DMGT Portrait Photographer of the Year category.
Photojournalist Edmond Terakopian attending the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards 2022. Honourable Artillery Company, London, UK. October 17, 2022. Photo: Peter Jordan
As always, much joy in catching up with friends, colleagues and picture editors, some of whom I’ve known for around 30 years! Great to see powerful and moving photojournalism by talented photographers, still helping us understand stories from around the world and the human impact they have. Makes me think that Kodak’s famous “a picture is worth a thousand words” slogan needs to be reworded to “ten thousand words”.
My thanks to the judges, led by the legendary former Sunday Times Picture Editor Ray Wells, for all their hard work in choosing the winning and commended images. Huge thanks also to friend and colleague, Alan Sparrow for his dedication and hard work in making these crucial awards take place.
Portrait Photographer of the Year Portfolio
An XR protestor is seen through the broken window of a bus, which was broken when the Police stormed the bus as the Extinction Rebellion action began. Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix G9 and Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f2.8II.Angelika Ghazaryan, a descendant of Genocide Survivors, at the 106th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th, 1915. Members of the British Armenian community gather at the remembrance service for the 1.5 Million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire. US President Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) on the day that Armenian communities around the world marked the killing of 1.5 million Armenians. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 25, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix G9 and Voigtlander 29mm f0.8 MFT Super Nokton Lens.Miner Ian Turner, at the end of his shift. Aberpergwm Mine is the only remaining operational coal mine in the UK. It’s the only source of high-grade anthracite in Western Europe. Aberpergwm Mine, Glynneath, Neath, Wales, UK. July 30, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix G9 and Leica DG 50-200mm f2.8-4.0 lens.Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Leica M10-D and Leica 50mm Summicron (1960s ‘Rigid Summicron’) lens.A mourner commemorates the victims of the Genocide, during a church service, as candles lit in prayer illuminate the back of the church. Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) on the day that Armenian communities around the world marked the killing of 1.5 million Armenians. (London, UK) 106th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th. Members of the British Armenian community gather at the remembrance service for the 1.5 Million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 25, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f2.8 lens.
The images in my commended portfolio were shot on Lumix G9, Lumix S1 and M10-D cameras. The raw files were edited and processed in Adobe’s LightRoom Classic, finished in Exposure Software’s X7, all using fully calibrated Eizo CG monitors attached to an Apple Mac Pro.
Well, here’s a first for me! Being recognised for some macro work!
Delighted to share that one of my pictures has made the shortlist for Close-up Photographer of the Year, in the Manmade category of CUPOTY 03. The image is a macro shot of the intricate nib design on my Montegrappa Merry Skull copper fountain pen.
Italian Flair; the intricate nib design on my Montegrappa Merry Skull Copper Fountain Pen. London, UK. May 08, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
The photograph was made using a Lumix G9 and a Leica R 60mm Macro lens and extension tube. Apologies for my lateness with this post, as the announcement was in October this year!
Three Honourable Mentions at the 16th Annual Black & White Spider Awards
Very happy to share that several of my monochrome images have had awards success at the BW Spider Awards. During the online Gala Ceremony, attended by by over 11,000, I was thrilled to receive three honourable mentions and also discover that five other images had also been nominated.
Honourable Mentions
Photojournalism – A Vigil By Smartphone Lights. Fundraising and Candlelight Vigil. Following miltary action by Azerbaijan with the backing of Turkey from the 27th of September, against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) and Armenia, a war has ensued in the region. Armenian communities in the diaspora gather to raise funds with the defence effort and humanatarian crisis in Artsakh and Armenia. Members of the Armenian community in the UK gather for a candle lit vigil (using smartphone lights as a result of health and safety rules) and fund raising event for the Armenia Fund (Himnadram) with the support of the Armenian Apostolic Church in London. St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, South Kensington, London, UK. October 10, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian.
Shot on a Lumix S1 and a Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens.
Americana – Classic Corvettes. The Classic Car Drive In Weekend (a new style of socially distanced, COVID-compliant classic car show for buyers, collectors and petrol-heads as well as movie-goers). Bicester Heritage, Buckingham Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, UK. September 18, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Lumix S1R and Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art lens.
People – A chorister is dressed in traditional Armenian choir outfit, with a more modern face visor as protection following guidelines. Churches Allowed To Open After Easing Of UK COVID 19 Lockdown. The Apostolic Orthodox Armenian Church is one of the most ancient Christian institutions. The Kingdom of Armenia was the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion. Having live streamed services during the pandemic lockdown, St Yeghiche Church opened its doors for public worship on Sunday 5th July 2020. Kensington, London, UK. July 05, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Lumix S1 and S Pro 70-200mm f2.8.
Nominations
Architecture – Concord Road, Industrial Estate, Park Royal, London, UK. December 15, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Lumix LX100M2.
People – Brighton beach, as on of the hottest days of the year comes to an end. As the COVID 19 lockdown has been relaxed, thousands of beachgoers flocked to Brighton as temperatures hit 30C (lower than the maximum temperature in South East England, which topped 36C). Authorities in Brighton have taken action to reduce the crowds at their beaches, on one of the hottest days of the year, with fears that social distancing will not be possible. Brighton, UK. August 07, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Lumix G9 and Leica DG 50-200mm.
Portrait – Professional Dancer Faye Stoeser. The Millennium Bridge, Bankside, London, UK. September 15, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Leica SL2 and Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art.
Portrait – A portrait of Jim Connor (former picture editor, The Herald, Glasgow) enjoying a pint of Guiness at The Long Hall pub in Dublin, Republic of Ireland. January 17, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Sigma fp and Leica 35mm APO Summicron SL.
Portrait – Yoshie At Quant. A portrait of fine art photographer Yoshie Nishikawa at the Mary Quant exhibition. Victoria and Albert Museum. London, UK. February 07, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Shot on a Sigma fp and Leica 35mm APO Summicron SL.
All the images were shot in raw and processed on an Apple Mac Pro (2013 model) in Adobe’s Lightroom. The monochrome work was then finished in Exposure Software’s X6. To maintain absolute and precise control during processing, calibrated Eizo CG monitors were used.
Absolutely delighted to get a third place in the the premiere, international photographic awards dedicated to food photography, which so deeply covers the various aspects of food, from celebration and opulence to hunger and the need for sustenance. It’s a phenomenal competition and I’m thrilled my work was recognised by the global judging panel. Many thanks to the awards’ team and all the supporters and sponsors of the Pink Lady Food Photographer Of The Year.
Many thanks also to this year’s judges, chaired by food photographer, David Loftus, Fiona Shields, Head of Photography, Guardian News & Media, Susan Bright, Writer and Curator, Nik Sharma, Cookbook Author and Photographer, Chef Simone Zanoni, Restaurant Le George, Four Seasons Paris, Alison Jacques, Founder, Alison Jacques Gallery and Vitalie Taittinger, President, Champagne Taittinger.
Finalist; Politics Of Food A Key Worker In The Food Industry. First Month Of The COVID 19 Lockdown In London. The normal of ‘eating out’ during the COVID 19 lockdown, has become ordering in, as restaurants are only allowed to be open for deliveries. Bicyclist delivery driver for the online food delivery company Deliveroo, awaits their booking, as Londoners out cycling for their daily allowance of excerise, pass on by. Deserted London town following the COVID 19 pandemic and the first month of the coronavirus lockdown. London, UK. April 23, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
My prize winning image got third place in the Politics Of Food category. This section is about photojournalistic images that show the reality of issues relating to food anywhere in the world including the impact that Covid 19 has had on the global population over the last year. I’m delighted that another of my photographs was a finalist in this section and one other also made the shortlist.
I’m absolutely in awe of the overall winning image, titled ‘Taste’, by Li Huaifeng. Such a wonderful image.
The exhibition of award winning work is due be held at the RPS (Royal Photographic Society) in Bristol from 20th November to 12th December 2021. With over 20 categories, ranging from the Politics of Food to Food Portraiture, the images from the Awards capture the great sweep of stories and cultures in the world of food.
Shortlisted; Politics Of Food The normal of ‘eating out’ during the COVID 19 lockdown, has become ordering in, as restaurants are only allowed to be open for deliveries. Bicyclist delivery driver for the online food delivery company Deliveroo, awaits their booking. Soho, London, UK. July 14, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Technical Information
For the photographers, some background to the equipment used. The third place image (top) was shot on my Lumix S1R with a Lumix S Pro 16-35mm f4.0 lens.
The finalist image (centre) was made using my Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f4.0 lens.
The shortlisted image (bottom) was made using my Leica M10-D and Leica 35mm Summilux ASPH FLE lens.
All images were shot in raw and processed in Lightroom Classic and finished in Exposure Software’s X6.
Awards Ceremony Video
If you’d like to skip forward to the Politics Of Food section, it’s at time code 31:36.
As the judges of the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year competition, currently choose the winners for the main competition from the announced shortlist, the organisers have now opened the public vote segment for the People’s Choice award – the winner of which is chosen purely by visitors voting for their one favourite image. The winner will be announced in January together with all of the judged results of the awards.
A couple look out into the bay. The Great South Wall, Dublin Bay, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. January 18, 2020. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Sigma fp and Leica 50mm APO-Summicron SL lens.
There is some truly phenomenal photography in this segment and I’m thrilled that one of my images appears on the People’s Vote page. Please have a look and vote for your favourite shot. Should you choose image number 45, I will of course be most grateful!!
Voting is open until 21st January 2021.
The photograph was made when I was shooting a project for the L Mount Alliance, using a Sigma fp and a Leica 50mm APO-Summicron SL lens. The raw file was processed in Adobe Lightroom Classic and finished off in Exposure Software’s X6.
Many thanks and wishes for a much deserved happy new year for us all. Keep safe, keep well.
One of my favourite street photographs, is now available as an edition of 25. Even before publicising the edition, 3 prints have already been sold, so at the time of writing, there are 22 prints left. Perhaps the perfect Christmas treat or gift?
A heavy downpour of rain soaks a businessman, as he passes an illuminated advertising sign stating “Love Your Job”. Hammersmith, London. January 14, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
The edition is an archival Giclée, gallery quality print. The photograph is printed on A3 (approx 11-3/4” x 16-1/2” or 297mm x 420mm) with a white border, on Hahnemüehle Photo Rag Bright White. 310 gsm on 100% cotton art paper. Signed on the back, name on the front left, edition numbered on the front, along with my embossing on the right side. Each print will also come with a certificate of authenticity.
The price of each print is £400 (which includes VAT) plus shipping. Each print will be shipped in a sturdy tube. As the edition gets sold out, it’s customary for the price to rise near the end of the edition, so it’s wiser to invest earlier on. Please contact me via the Contact page to make arrangements.
For me, the image perfectly encapsulates modern life in the city. The duality of striving for happiness and survival, with far too many working in jobs they don’t love, to make ends meet. That constant struggle.
The image was made as I was running to the car park. As soon as I saw the light from the advertising hoarding, it made me stop. The way it was lighting the rain and the wet pavement caught my eye. It was only a moment later that I read the message. The problem though, was that the digital advertising was a constant slideshow. None of the other adverts were as bright or simple; they were in fact colourful and messy, and as a light source didn’t work as they were much dimmer.
I must have waited for around 20 minutes. Suddenly from the right hand side, a businessman in a raincoat, holding a briefcase, rushed past. It was so quick, I managed to shoot two frames on my Leica. As luck would have it, the timing of the businessman coincided with the “Love Your Job” slide showing on the advertising board.
I love my job 😉
The photograph has been recognised by various awards and curators over the years, including being a runner-up in the Driven Creativity shortlist and exhibited in London, Paris & Berlin. It was a finalist in Travel Photographer Of The Year too. It was exhibited in The Press Photographers’ Year in the National Theatre, as well as the Fleet Street Photo Exhibition in London. It was commended by the judges of the Fotoura International Street Photography Awards as well as used as a double page spread in AP Magazine’s ‘Tribute To Leica’ issue. It also won the Life At Work category of the British Life Photography Awards. It was judged as Professional Photographer of the Year’s winner in the Street Photography category. It also made The Huffington Post Pictures of the Year in 2011.
To purchase your print, please use the CONTACT page to get in touch.
Photo Insight; Amateur Photographer magazine, July 2014.
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