Grand Master (GMPSA) distinction award in photography

After 10 years participating in Photographic Society of America (PSA) accredited photography salons/exhibitions worldwide, I’ve achieved one of my goals a few days ago – obtaining the Grand Master (MGPSA) distinction. One needs 3 000 acceptances to be awarded.

I achieved the milestone the following number of acceptances:

Nature division: 2613 acceptances with 671 photos (Diamond 4 rating)

Colour division: 438 acceptances with 146 photos (Galaxy 2 rating)

Monochrome division: 144 acceptances with 48 photos (Star 4 rating)

Journalism division: 144 acceptances with 48 photos (Star 4 rating

Travel division: 72 acceptances with 24 images (Star 3 rating)

Up to now, I received acceptances in exhibitions/salons in 68 different countries. Here are some of my more successful photos over the 10 years:

Nature division:

6 medals and 5 acceptances

2 medals, 2 certificates of merit, 4 acceptances

Colour division:

1 medal and 3 acceptances

Monochrome division:

2 medals and 2 acceptances

Journalism division:

2 medals and 2 acceptances

Travel division:

1 medal and 3 acceptances

Message to take home:

Yes, it is not easy to be successful in participating in international exhibitions/salons because you are competing against thousands of great international photos from the world’s top photographers. But ask yourself the following question regarding your own photos: ” Am I one of those photographers who moans from mental suffering every time I do have a photo that is not perfect in every way being it the light conditions, the background, the composition, distracting elements, lack of action, etc.? You need to look at yourself because the problem is not always with the photo but most of the time the problem is with yourself. I sat in many camera/photo club evenings looking and a photo thinking to myself: “This is really a nice photo with a great story telling element, technically correct and a focus element drawing your attention. This image should definitely get a high score or even be a winner“. Just for the judges to score the photo down with the comment that the light was not optimal or the photo was taken during an overcast day, or the composition is not optimal! I am sure you had the same experience. Yes, I know judges must say something and it is easy to over-think some photographs. I always keep the following in mind when I look at a photo (and yes, it must be technically acceptable): The objectives of a photo is to look beautiful, to be interesting, and it should be of such quality that the viewer wants to keep looking at it. Then all the other elements such as the light conditions, composition, etc are just a bonus. I am sure we can agree to disagree on this matter.

Until next time, keep on shooting!!!

Trip report: Londolozi private game reserve (Sabi Sands Nature reserve) January 2021 Part 2

Part 2 of my trip report to Londolozi private game reserve in January 2021 focuses on the leopard sights we had. Like I’ve mentioned before, Londolozi did not disappoint because we had a variety of leopard sights as usual. Despite the tropical storm Eloise. The storms just made it harder to track and find leopards but thanks to Byron, Jerry and the rest of the team we had our share of beautiful and interesting sightings. You name it, we saw it – sleeping leopard, leopard in a tree, leopard on a kill, mating leopard, two male leopard interaction, a not-so-often-seen leopard, leopard in a very special tree, our very special Masaba female leopard, male leopard being chase by a wildebeest, leopard jumping out of the grass next to the road, leopard drinking water and many more.

Here is the link to blog that a wrote for Londolozi – I don’t think it is necessary for me to repeat it:

Photo Journal: Cyclone Eloise’s Wildlife Aftermath Part 2

But just to give you a preview:

The Flat rock male looking anxiously towards a drainage line about 200meters away where the Maxim’s male leopard is hiding (not really the territory of the Maxim’s male leopard but rather the territory of the Flat rock male) while continue calling with its rasping yowls/roars.

Message to take home:

While on safari or a game drive and you are entering a sighting, it is important to think about what you want to photograph. It is important to tell a story with your image and draw the viewer’s attention to the main subject in your photo. The main subject should tell a story and that would also assist the viewer to understand the story of the photo you want to tell. A photo with no definite subject or focus point and overall very busy may capture the attention of the viewer but (s)he will very quickly more on to the next photo. You need to put a very interesting main subject in the photo in order to capture the attention of the viewer and makes him/her think about the photo. It will also add another dimension to the photo and ultimately it will create a better storytelling image.

Until next time, keep on shooting!