2015 AIPP Australian Science, Wildlife and Wild Places Photographer of the Year
At risk of sounding like a complete tosser, at a gala event at the Crown Casino Palladium last night I won the title of AIPP Australian Science, Wildlife and Wild Places Photographer of the Year for 2015.
Of my four images entered, two images received Gold awards (90+) and two received silver awards with distinction (85 & 86) at the AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year Awards (APPA) on the weekend. I was both gobsmakked and thrilled with the announcement.
This event is only for professional photographers and the entries in this category included a diverse mix of subjects including wild Polar Bears, Whales, Cheetahs, Microbiology, Glaciers and Astrophotography, but this is the first time the Australian title was won by an astrophotographer
To make the weekend complete, I also picked up enough points to earn my Grand Masters.
(Yes, just like the Flintstones, the AIPP has Grand Masters, and there are only 20 in the whole country of a membership of over 3000)
It is something distinguishing, being a professional vs ametur and so entering in such awards as the AIPP. Also, in contrast to many of the "professional" astrophoto's I see out there yours truly are professional and of a high quality, very deserving .
Dear Chris, Paul, George, Aidan, Slawomir, Kev, Matthew, Greg, Russell, Ray, Paul & Roger - Thanks everyone for your very kind words and well wishes, guess that's one in the books for all of us in the Astrophotography community
True - and a standard for the rest of us to aspire (and at times struggle ) towards.
It just goes to show us what can be done.
Thank you for sharing your images, and your succes, with us.
Paul
PS Are you going to work shop them at Snake Valley AC?
Thanks Fred, Peter & Phil for your kind words and sentiments
Paul, I'm giving a presentation at SV - will cover most aspects of AP and I'm happy to sit and chat with you if have specific questions afterwards - especially if it's cloudy!