The ‘One…’ challenge arose from an exercise photographer Paul Gummer (Photo Review, Issue #52) often sets for his students; namely to photograph a single object against a plain background.
It should be a functional object, Paul said, and something that you wouldn’t ordinarily consider an interesting photographic subject. The goal is to produce a picture that captures beauty in simplicity. We certainly think all our finalists achieved the aforesaid aim, but for absolute purity, it’s hard to go past Amelia McLeod’s untitled study of a floweresque rubber-band. Norman Shapro continues his admirable consistency with a slightly cheeky ‘one’ that is in fact two. Second runner-up Melanie Jenson’s shot of a ruler’s edge has, we think, a beguiling simplicity. The delicate and intricate shadow of ‘Complexity’ by Nina De Caritat de Peruzzis shows just what you can accomplish with the simplest of lighting set-ups. Susan Shanta visited the cutlery drawer for her oddly satisfying study and Josephine Judd showed what you can accomplish with exactly the right angle on a humble screw cap. And Pene Stevens picks up an honourable mention for her whimsical portrait of an indispensible household item.
FIRST PLACE: Untitled by Amelia McLeod
FIRST RUNNER-UP: ‘One pair’ by Norman Shapro
SECOND RUNNER-UP: ‘Make it a rule ““ keep it simple’ by Melanie Jenson
(Image of Perspex ruler sitting on its edge)
THIRD RUNNER-UP: Complexity’ by Nina De Caritat de Peruzzis
HONOURABLE MENTION: ‘Fork cast a shadow’ by Susan Shanta
HONOURABLE MENTION: Untitled by Josephine Judd
HONOURABLE MENTION:’One roll’ by Pene Stevens
Details of the next Photo Challenge are published in Photo Review magazine. Click here to order online or to find out where to buy your copy.
