My Story
Back in January 2016 I entered two images into the 11th Annual B&W Spider Awards and then thought no more about them. That is until early November when I actually sat down to read one of the many emails that they have sent to me. You know how it is, closing soon, enter now before it's too late etc. Anyway this email was to congratulate me for taking out 1st Place in the Architecture category. To say I was delighted was an understatement but I guess I was more shocked than anything. An international competition that attracts many thousands of entries and I come out a winner!!!
Many thanks to the organisers and judges from the Black & White Spider Awards for this recognition. Below is the press release that they write up for us winners and the nominees. I dare say, this'll be the only place that the press release will be used. Here's a link to the winners gallery.
This image was taken from the rooftop bar of The Grand Hotel in Saigon at 10pm. My settings were F11, ISO 100, 8 sec exposure, 75mm focal length.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11TH ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS HONORS PHOTOGRAPHER CHRIS de BLANK FROM AUSTRALIA
LOS ANGELES 11th November 2016 - Amateur photographer Chris de Blank of Australia was presented with the 11th Annual Black and White Spider Awards 1st Place in the category of Architecture at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow webcast Saturday, November 5, 2016.
The live online gala was attended by over 10,500 photography fans around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the industry's most important event for black and white photography.
11th Annual Jury members included captains of the industry from National Geographic, Washington DC; The Armory Show, New York; TBWA, Paris; Victoria Film Festival, Canada; Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels; Studio Hansa, London; Fratelli Alinari, Florence; Australian Centre for Photography; Young & Rubicam, Lima; and Anthem Worldwide/Marque Branding, Sydney who honored Spider Fellows with 627 coveted title awards in 31 categories.
"It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 7,556 entries we received this year," said Basil O'Brien, the awards Creative Director. "Chris's " A Long Way to the Top", an exceptional image entered in the Architecture category, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we're pleased to present her with the title of 1st Place - Outstanding Achievement". Jury member Paola Anselmi, interdisciplinary curator and arts writer in Australia added, "As always it was a real treat to be part of the program. Congratulations to all involved and to all the remarkable photographers who gift us new insights into the world and ourselves." "A truly amazing set of entries, so many deserving winners," added Marcel Wijnen, Creative Director at Anthem Worldwide.
BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS is the leading international award honoring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography. www.thespiderawards.com
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