It's so interesting to see how different judges respond to the same sets of photos. On one hand, no one likes my nature photos (still); but on the other hand, the Kotor judges accepted none of my photos (at all) while those in Kolasin accepted all four of my entries in the Open Monochrome and Woman Man Child categories (and one of my four entries in Open Color). Plus Kolasin awarded me not just one but two gold medals! It really is remarkable.

So here are the full results, 22 photos accepted, 19 of them figurative:

1. "Den lille havfrue" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018: PSA Gold Medal at Kolasin, accepted at Aleksinac, Kula, and Podgorica
2. "No neighbors" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022: Salon Gold Medal at Kolasin, accepted at Aleksinac, Kula and Podgorica
3. "Calico" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019: Accepted at Aleksinac, Kolasin, Navi Sad, and Podgorica
4. "Center of the Universe" (Open Color PIDC), Lior Allay, Seattle, March 2019: Accepted at Kolasin, Kula, and Novi Sad
5. "Water Spirit" (Open Monochrome PIDM), DianaJean, Upper Crystal Lake, July 2015: Accepted at Kolasin
6. "A shoulder to lean on" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Thatonekatt and DianaJean, Amanda Park, Washington, July 2016: Accepted at Kolasin
7. "Together for wilderness" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste and Enigma, Mount Rainier National Park, July 2020: Accepted at Kolasin
8. "The track not taken" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Skye, Boxcar Canyon, January 2023: Accepted at Kolasin

Den lille havfrue (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4, PSA Gold) No neighbors (Woman Man Child PIDC) (Accepted x4, Salon Gold) Calico (Woman Man Child PIDC) (Accepted x4) Center of the Universe (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x3) Water spirit (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) A shoulder to lean on (Woman Man Child PIDC) (Accepted) Together for wilderness (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) The track not taken (Woman Man Child PIDC) (Accepted)

Here's the full set of results on the figurative side (which are in addition to four non-figurative photos):

1. "Ohanapecosh 215" (Nude PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022 (almost exactly a year ago): National Diploma
2. "Deep roots" (Nude PIDC), Skye, Boxcar Canyon, January 2023: a new photo!
3. "Leo, dorsal" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Leo Velo, Eatonville, January 2020: another photo accepted for the first time
4. "Me and my shadow" (Nude PIDC), Lillias Right, Seattle, July 2016
5. "Wilderness mirror" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019
6. "On the rocks" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019

Ohanapecosh 215 (Nude PIDC) (National Diploma) Deep roots (Nude PIDC) (Accepted) Leo, dorsal (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Me and my shadow (Nude PIDC) (Accepted) Wilderness mirror (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) On the rocks (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)On the Rocks
B75A7166 (05-01-2021)
07-16-2019
Bunny Luna
Pinnacle Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija, Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted

A side note: it's interesting that I have yet to see a photo salon that offers a "Nude" category do so as part of a circuit (with more than one judging). It's rare enough to offer this category at all, despite how significant the human figure has been in art for millennia. Probably yet another reflection of the modern world's squeamishness about, and disconnect from, its own bodies.

The exhibit opened last week, on March 10, and runs through April 10. Here's the description of the exhibit:

Looking back at my preview post, I don't think there's much new to add. It's always fun to revisit a photo shoot and relive it as I sort and edit the pictures. The two things that stand out, from that process, are how much Xhibited opened up over the course of the evening, like a flower coming alive in the springtime, as she and I got comfortable working with each other; and how much I look forward to working with her again in the future. There is more flowering to be done.

For now, here are some more photos for you to enjoy from this wonderful set!

About five weeks ago, I received word that two of my photos had been accepted for publication by Dodho Magazine. I've just heard that published it has been indeed!

So, you can go see my photos online... or you can download a digital version of a gorgeous book containing my photos for free (there's a great deal!)... or you can buy a physical copy of said book, with my photos and a lot of other fantastic images by artists I am honored to be in the company of, for the low low price of... well, 149.90 Euros. OK, not so low. But it is gorgeous.

So who out there wants to be the patron of my art?? I would love to have a copy of this book with my own work in it. Don't think I'm able to spend $159.65 (today's conversion) to get it, though. Who's feeling generous? One for you, one for me?

Meanwhile, what the hell, go download the digital version. It truly is beautiful.

Given that that's a total of 48 photo judgings, I'm disappointed that there were only seven acceptances, a rate of only 14.6%. Half the overall rate for the salon. And, once more, not a single one of my entries was accepted in the Nature category. Sigh.

But, I can't be completely disappointed by the photos that were accepted. This includes six photos, two of which were accepted for the first time. Here's the list:

1. "Portend," Leo Velocity, Seattle, February 2016 (Open Monochrome PIDM): accepted in Serbia and Belgium.
2. "Ciphr," Vex Voir and Katlyn Lacoste, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017 (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted for the first time, in Serbia.
3. "Between Earth and Sky," Lior Allay, Gas Works Park, Seattle, March 2019 (Open Color PIDC): Accepted for the first time, in Belgium.
4. "The cliffs of Discovery," Lillias Right, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2015 (Open Color PIDC): Accepted in Serbia.
5. "Classic," Invy Rose, Puyallup, October 2011 (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in Luxembourg.
6. "Ohanapecosh 215," Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022 (Woman Man Child PIDC): Accepted in Serbia.

Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x2) Ciphr (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Between Earth and Sky (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) The cliffs of Discovery (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Classic (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Ohanapecosh 215 (Woman Man Child PIDC) (Accepted)

This is a wonderful collection of art and I'm honored to be part of it. You'll find my photograph, "Vernal Light," featuring Marzipanned, on page 16 (the pieces are organized aphabetically by title).

Accepted!

I always enjoy going through collections that I'm a part of, to choose my own favorites. I recommend:

1. "JessaRay," photograph by Dave Hanson
2. "Taylor," photographic print by Edward Dose
3. "Desire," acrylic by Leah Witherell
4. "Chrysalis," mixed media on canvas by D'Amelio
5. "A Boy with a Straight Face," giclee printed on the back of glass by Leroy Skalstad

The exhibition will run through the end of this month.

As I said in my preview blog post, night photography is damn difficult... but also really interesting. And Kit Ashton was a very interesting model to work with. They were completely on board with what I was trying to accomplish, showcasing an alternative idea of body acceptance and an alternative definition of the natural state of human beings. We had so much fun playing with these ideas--shooting in public places like an overpass and Pike Place Market, at urban viewpoints with skyscrapers and the waterfront in the background, and finding cheeky visual puns in a parking garage.

I hope you enjoy these images as much as I do!

I'll share with you a larger number of sample images than usual, just because there are so many to choose from. Enjoy these fantastic images of a talented new model!

Here are the full results:

• "Classic," Invy Rose, Puyallup, Washington, October 2011: PSA Gold Medal and Chairman Choice Certificate, accepted by all four judges
• "The cliffs of Discovery," Lillias Right, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2015: Chairman Choice Certificate, accepted by two of four judges. This is the debut appearance for this photo!
• "As above, so below," Lior Allay, Gas Works Park, Seattle, March 2019: Accepted by all four judges
• "Lower Sunbeam," Bunny Luna, Lower Sunbeam Falls, Mount Rainier National Park, July 2019: Accepted by two of four judges. This is the debut appearance for this photo, too!
• "Wilderness mirror," Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park, July 2019: Accepted by two of four judges. This is only the second appearance by this photo, having previously received a Bronze Award as part of a photo series at the Budapest International Foto Awards a year and a half ago.

Classic (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4, PSA Gold, Chairman Choice) The cliffs of Discovery (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted x2, Chairman Choice) Lower Sunbeam (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted x2) As above, so below (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4) Wilderness mirror (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x2)

Looking at the photos that were selected I'm usually extremely impressed by the quality of art that exists out in the world. But it would be nice, once in a while, to get feedback: the winning photo employed the golden ratio, while yours was poorly composed; this photo was crystal clear while yours had a slight blur around the eyes; that photo, while technically imperfect, captured a sense of emotional power while yours, while technically perfect, was static and less compelling.

I completely realize that there's no way most competition judges have time to provide such feedback. All I can do is to look at the photos of mine that have been accepted and rewarded over and over, and look for the common elements that make them successful... and, conversely, look for common elements in those that weren't accepted to find common features to avoid, going forward. All while understanding that it may have nothing to do with the quality of the photo, and more to do with just not matching what the curator was looking for in their assembled exhibit.

Here are four calls for art that I entered in the past six weeks for which none of my photos were accepted:

1. Black and White (F-Stop Magazine)
   I was able to submit twelve photos for this publication, but none of them were accepted. Looking at past photos that were accepted, it appears that the magazine is looking for photos that convey a story or impression more than images that are perfectly processed. I tried to choose images of my own that match this style. I could see my images fitting with the photos that were selected, but their choices are pretty fine without them.
   
2. Celebrating the Sacred Feminine: Honoring Women's Herstory Month (Ludington Area Center for the Arts in Michigan)
   It's always hard to know, with these local exhibitions, exactly what they're looking for. Even though they are ostensibly an "international" call for art, will they favor local artists? Will they favor non-photographic work? Will they shy away from figurative images in a "family-oriented" gallery? I always try to look at the work they've featured in the past to get a clue about these things, but still, it's a crap shoot. I loved the theme, however, so I couldn't resist entering, and contributed two photos from an amazing photoshoot with Dominique Zuniga back in March 2016 at Valley of Fire State Park, a shoot that truly embodied the idea of the "sacred feminine," whether its images were selected or not. As of this writing, the gallery of selected art isn't posted on LACA's website yet (the physical exhibit is March 3-31), so I'm interested to see the works they did choose.
   6I8A3527Dance in the Light
   6I8A3527 (2/24/2021)
   3/21/2016
   Dominique Zuniga
   Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
   
   2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online), "Human Nature": Exhibited online
   2021-04-05 Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery (online), "Figurative", as "Dance for the Earth": Exhibited with Special Recognition 6I8A3242Rebirth
   6I8A3242 (4/15/18)
   3/21/16
   Dominique Zuniga
   Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
   
   2018-05-18 Linus Galleries (Pasadena, California) "Femme": Exhibited digitally
   2019-04-26 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Rochester, New York): Exhibited digitally
   2021-04-05 Light Space & Time Online Gallery, "Figurative": Exhibited online, awarded 8th place
3. Figures in the Landscape (Aplomb Gallery, Dover, New Hampshire)
   How could I not enter an exhibition focused on figures in the landscape? That's my primary theme! And they allowed for five entries. I was pretty confident about this one, but alas, it was not to be. I entered a combination of wide sweeping vistas and more intimate images; color and black and white; and photos that have been highly successful (including "Rest and Upheaval," far and away my most awarded image) along with ones that I personally love but have not been as widely recognized as I'd like. This exhibit opens March 4 and closes April 30, twice as long as most exhibits seem to run these days, but there are no images posted on the website yet. I look forward to seeing what I'm sure will be a collection of amazing work when photos appear online.
   Dance for the Earth Parallel WorldsParallel Worlds
   B75A8286 (2021-07-01)
   2019-07-16
   Bunny Luna
   Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park
   
   2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Nude PIDC) (Malta): Accepted
4. Black and White (ReFocus Awards)
   Another Black and White contest, this one wanted a set of photos on the same theme. So I submitted one of my most reliable collections, five photos from my photo shoot with Queen Dandelion on Rialto Beach at the end of July 2018. The actual winners are very good, so I'm not put out that I wasn't selected at all. In fact, I enjoy browsing the winning photos, because they give me a lot of great ideas about what to do next in my own photography!
   Rest and Upheaval 1Rest and Upheaval
   6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
   07-31-2018
   Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
   
   2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
   2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
   2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
   2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
   2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
   2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
   2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
   2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
   2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
   2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal Rest and Upheaval 2Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
   6I8A4676 (09-17-2020)
   07-31-2018
   Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
   
   2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention

Xhibited reached out to me when I advertised that I was looking for someone to do night photos in Seattle. She's done some modeling before, though to keep her identity private for professional reasons she always wears a mask. She finds the experience of modeling to be a freeing one, one that contrasts a celebration of the body with her upbringing in a culture that frowned on such things. She's artistic by nature and enjoys participating in the process of creation. And, finally, there's some pleasure that comes from submitting the self to be the raw material for another person's vision.

These are the things I've gleaned from conversation with Xhibited. She's also an older model than most, with the time-weary effects that has on the skin, to which none of us are exempt no matter how physically fit we may be. She'll never be a centerfold in Playboy without a lot of digital surgery. But in strong contrast to that, I personally find these characteristics to not be "imperfections" at all. They simply are. They are part of Xhibited's body, and they represent her, at this point in her life, with all of the experiences that have shaped her, both physically and spiritually. In my opinion, she is one of the most beautiful models I've worked with.

It'll be a couple of weeks until I finish my final edits on this set, but for now, here are a couple of previews to show you what we accomplished. It was a dark, cold, rainy evening in Seattle; we timed our session in hopes of avoiding both crowds and rain, based on the forecast. And we were mostly successful in both respects. At our viewpoint in Gas Works Park we encountered three other photographers also trying to get images of the city lights across Lake Union, but only had to wait about ten minutes before they gave up and left (during which time we were planning and preparing our shots) -- they were dissatisfied with the lack of a reflection of the city on still water. (Why they thought there would be a reflection in the midst of a rainstorm, I don't know.) As for ourselves, sure, a reflection would have been nice, but it was the lights themselves we were looking for, and the lighted foreground under the streetlights to spotlight my model. Due to the darkness I took photos with a shallow depth of field, but I also photographed the city more sharply individually, and will experiment with compositing that into the final versions of the photos.

You can see that Xhibited is still a bit nervous in this set; we'd just started, she hadn't relaxed into the experience yet, and the setting was fairly public. I'm happy with the images we got, though, in spite of her nervousness.

After Gas Works, we walked along the waterfront, stopping at a little viewpoint for more photos, then continued down the Burke-Gilman Trail toward Fremont. The second preview I'll share with you here is under the Aurora Street Bridge, a gate tucked into an ivy-covered wall leading to a private boat dock. It has a motion-sensitive light that comes on whenever anyone enters its radius, creating a pool of light amid the darkness that I was immediately drawn to. We experimented with a lot of different poses; I think this is one of my favorites. Xhibited is small in stature to begin with, but next to the gate she appears even more diminutive, reminding me of a Hobbit knocking on the outsized door to the Prancing Pony in the human town of Bree.

Xhibited is warming up here, not so much physically as in her comfort level working with me. It's a more private location, to be sure, but she's also trusting me more to create something of beauty while keeping her safe. So much so, that she suggested a very open and well-lit area for the next set of pictures. I haven't included any of those photos here, but you can see them among the extended set of preview images in my website gallery.

She was getting cold, so we discussed wrapping up, but decided to do one final set of images. I'd scouted another couple of locations further down the Burke-Gilman Trail, but at the last minute, decided to "call an audible" and substitute a location I'd just spotted, along the foundation of the Aurora Street Bridge, lit by street lamps with the shadows of trees swaying in the breeze. I thought we might be able to play with those shadows and use them to add intrigue to a set of images.

And oh boy did that work well! We shot a long series here, both clothed, partially clothed, and unclothed. These are personally my favorites of the night, because I think they best capture Xhibited's personality. You can see in her face that she has finally relaxed completely into the experience, enjoying it almost ecstatically as the shadows and the breeze dance across her skin and catch her hair. There's a sense of joy, a power and confidence that finally comes out: she is a woman who knows she is beautiful and owns it in front of the camera.

And then it was all over. We walked back to the car and warmed up a bit before parting ways. The photos are memories not only of creativity, but also an experience that we will both cherish, when artist and model shared a process that resulted in both great art and personal transformation.

Still, it's a point of pride that I've entered every year since 2018 (except 2020 when the Festival was cancelled due to Covid), and have had multiple images accepted every time... five years in a row now.

This year I submitted the usual ten images, and three of them have been accepted for digital exhibition. Here they are, and you can see them projected in all their glory at the Festival, which will be at the Holiday Inn in Auburn, New York from April 14 to 16:

Close Shave (accepted) Dance in the light (accepted) Jacob's Angel (accepted)

1. "Close Shave," Gin and Ginger, Seattle, May 2022
2. "Dance in the Light," Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
3. "Jacob's Angel," Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017

FIGURATIVE 5A - Kevin Bacher

Art Show International, an online gallery based in Los Angeles, had a competition recently on the theme "Figurative." Right up my alley, right? So I submitted two photos. I just heard back a few days ago -- one of my photos won a "Talent Award" and the other an Honorable Mention!

To put this in some context, the gallery offers a single "First Place Award," two "Runner-up Awards," three "Merit Awards," and 100 Talent Awards. That makes winning a Talent Award a bit less novel, but it does come with a $25 prize, so that's something, and the next two levels, Honorable Mention and Finalist, have 366 and 309 winners respectively. So even if every photo submitted was slotted into one of those categories, I still have a photo in the top 14%, and a check for $25. Which makes up for the $20 entry fee, plus a cup of coffee and bragging rights.

Here are the two photos that won: "Jacob's Angel" (Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, June 2017) with the Talent Award, and "Skinny Dipper" (Dolly Mattel, Crystal Lake, September 2021) with the Honorable Mention.

Jacob's Angel (Talent Award) Skinny Dipper (Honorable Mention)

Now the twist. As I was recording these results, I discovered that I actually entered this same competition last year, under the same theme. Which wouldn't be unusual, except that one of the photos I entered, which earned an Honorable Mention, was Jacob's Angel. Of all the photos in my collection, I submitted the same image! And it was accepted two years in a row. Oops. Totally inadvertent. But it is nice to know that their judgment of its quality isn't a fluke, but rather, something replicable. Makes it feel more scientific!

You compensate as well as you can, bracing the camera on a tripod or monopod, exhorting the model to hold still, taking half a dozen shots at a time in hopes that one of them will be reasonably blur-free. It's a delicate balance. ISO: too high, and the details disappear into noise. Shutter: too slow and even the click of the shutter, or the model's breathing, ruins the picture. Aperture: too wide, and your focus has to be spot-on to even have a chance of sharpness, and you hope it's the eyes and not the adjacent cheek rather than vice versa.

You throw away a lot of pictures.

But that's part of the challenge as well, and the feeling of accomplishment when it all works is very satisfying.

Which brings us to Kit Ashton! I'd put out a call for models and a couple of people responded. Two of them followed through -- you'll hear about the other in another post. Kit's a local non-binary model and member of the Seattle fetish community who was very enthusiastic about the art I was trying to create. Another challenge of this theme is that it necessarily involves being nude out in public in the middle of a city, which takes a bold person, but Kit assured me that "luckily people don't bother me," and luckily for me they were being 100% honest!

We did a lot of planning ahead of time, each of us scouting routes and agreeing on a general itinerary and time. We met at 4am at the top of Pike Street, shooting at striking viewpoints of the city just off the busy road (albeit not so busy that time of the morning). There's a set of classical Greek pillars at one intersection, and just down the road from it a nice view out across Interstate 5 looking toward a new annex of the Convention Center. We took an extended detour through the edge of Freeway Park, with views of the skyline and geometric staircases. (I was so focused on my photography that I didn't even notice, till I looked at the photos later, a security camera right above that staircase. If anyone was watching, they didn't send anyone to intervene.) Kit's girlfriend, along for the adventure, was incredibly helpful, not only keeping an eye out, but also suggesting poses and settings, and making minor adjustments to Kit's hair and hand placement that had major positive effects on the resulting image.

Ultimately, as the hour got later (or, less early), we decided to skip the middle part of Pike Street and skip to the end for a few shots at Pike Place Market. Again, most people would have steered away from such a busy location just as it was waking up for the day, but Kit was unfazed. We got some fantastic shots in the street in front of the Market, then inside, and finally behind the Market overlooking the waterfront. In most cases people completely ignored us (we tried to keep our distance, but it's a busy place), but in front of the Market, as we were wrapping up our set, one of the vendors approached us to say we'd made his day, he'd never seen anything like us before.

I have a couple of other shoots to edit first, but it won't be too long till I have edited versions of this set to share with you. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these early previews!

For context, read my post from a few weeks ago... tl;dr, I had photos accepted in the Festival five years in a row, but the last three years have drawn a blank. So it was with great trepidation that I looked up the results this weekend, to discover that I have three photos accepted for exhibition (out of ten entered). And three photos that I'm very proud of, too! Of course, yes, I only submitted photos that I'm very proud of, so that follows. But I'm especially happy that the photo of Lior Allay was accepted, because it's one that I find personally very compelling, but which hasn't done as well as I'd have liked it to in other exhibition entries.

Anyway, here are the details: the Festival runs from April 21 to April 23, 2023, and you can find all of the details, including ticket sales, at seattleerotic.org. The Festival will have lots of great visual art on display and for sale, as well as interactive art, literary art, erotic films, performances, and participatory events. The attendees are really part of the exhibit, too, as they often show up in full fetishwear. It's a sensory feast, and you can go home with my art!

Here are my three accepted pieces, along with the brief narrative that will accompany each of them. I'm experimenting with making my art more personal and unique -- a longer version of these narratives will be attached to the back of each matted and framed photograph, with my artist's signature. Hopefully that will help them sell -- and I like that it'll add some depth and context to the pieces regardless.

Proof: ACCEPTED
Proof
For a non-binary individual like Lior Allay, photographed at Freeway Park in Seattle in March 2019, gender and identity are in constant tension with cultural expectations. Clothing, hair, body structure and society’s ever-present obsession with genitalia all play a role. Here, we cheekily ask, who do YOU say I am? And what do you ask for, as proof?

Gothic Sundial: ACCEPTED
Gothic Sundial
It’s time to stop limiting the definition of “beauty” to blonde hair and svelte bodies. It’s time to be inclusive in our definition of human sensuality. There is so much to celebrate! It’s time to embrace our full potential as sensual beings. I photographed Psychopomp in Seattle in October 2012.

Rest and Upheaval: ACCEPTEDRest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal
Rest and Upheaval
To be human is to live amid contrast and contradiction. We strive for restful calm; yet the world is filled with chaos and turmoil. But waves and tide can, in time, smooth sharp edges into polished stone. Nature both threatens and sustains us, and we find balance in the center of the storm. I photographed Queen Dandelion at Rialto Beach, July 2018.

Flight (Exhibited)

"There is a certain psychology of the night. The night can be an incredibly suggestive time. Mystery, introspection, quiet or loud, and behaviors not abiding by the mainstream rules of the day, with the darkness useful for creating mystery or an unnerving atmosphere. Scenes we overlook during the day often take on a fascinating new appearance at night – in a literal or abstract way.

"More than 320 photographers from all over the world submitted work to our open call “The Psychology of Night”. Lightreadings’ editor in-chief Panos Kasimis -not participating in the selection process- received and distributed their work to the rest of the team. We each chose those works that we found most visually interesting and coherent, and suggested them to the rest. After several discussions and debates -often lasting several hours- and also taking into account the final format of both the exhibition and publication, we arrived at the forty photographers participating in this issue."

I'm honored to be one of those photographers!

A pair of photo shoots I did back in 2016 immediately came to mind when I saw this call: with Lillias Right, and a few days later with Mikki Marvel, at dawn in Seattle. I ultimately submitted seven photos from the session with Lillias, and Lightreadings Magazine published five of them.

The magazine is published bilingually in English and Greek, so I assume the magazine is based in Greece, though I can't find that information for sure. You can download the whole magazine on their website, and it's really interesting to see the many different interpretations of the theme. This'll be an interesting magazine to watch, going forward.

All of these photos are of Lillias Right in Seattle in July 2016, titled, respectively:

1. "Me and my shadow"
2. "Pier 56"
3. "Lillias and the Wheel"
4. "Cupcakes"
5. "A Rock and a Hard place"

Published Published Published Published Published

Flight (Exhibited)

Just a reminder that Nude Nite: Orlando opens today at 6pm! Stop by (1401 Florida Mall Ave in Orlando, Florida) and see (and buy) my matted and framed photo of "Flight," featuring Abi Blue in Seattle in June 2021! The Festival closes on Saturday the 11th.

Let me interject here that I completely understand that railroad tracks are dangerous. I would never shoot on any tracks that I wasn't 100% certain beyond a shadow of a doubt were inactive. It's helpful when the tracks not only have vegetation growing up through them but also have large branches down across them. It's clear that significant and obvious work is necessary before even a handcart makes passage on these rails.

Skye and I shot on a cool, cloudy afternoon. I don't like to shoot mid-day because the light can be harsh, but here in the Pacific Northwest our infamous clouds can turn the sky into an enormous softbox. Besides, I wanted a time of day when any of the teenagers who created the graffiti would be otherwise occupied with school and wouldn't wander into our photo shoot.

As you'll see in these preview images, Skye is a strawberry blonde with Scottish heritage, a beautiful woman with great muscle tone and a smile that lights up her face. She's confident with her body and her background in dance serves her well as she selects poses. She's creative and was game to try whatever I suggested and to offer her own ideas.

Combine all of that talent with old railroad tracks curving across an old trestle a hundred feet or more above a rugged canyon, and you've got ingredients for some compelling images. We saw a bald eagle flying overhead on two occasions, and you can see ice cascading down the cliffs in the background in some photos. The graffiti varies from colorful and artistic to juvenile and ironic.

I'll be back in a week or two with fully edited versions of these photos. for now, here are a few previews of what will likely be a top-tier set. And if you're a local photographer looking for new talent, you wouldn't go wrong to reach out to Skye.

One of the places I have been most successful at finding alternative models is FetLife, an online forum for the kink community. I've had an account for several years and have slowly built a reputation as a reputable photographer, and every so often that pays off when an individual or couple reaches out to me with an interest in modeling. And because of the sex-positive attitude that is more prevalent on FetLife, and the body-positive attitude that goes along with it, it is more common for those who reach out to me to be people with real bodies--beautiful bodies, but that do not confirm to the 0.2% of body types that make up 99% of popular art.

Tiana is just such an example. Latinx, non-binary, a delightful individual whose body has scars and curves and hair and life experience, and who happens to love being tied up naked in nature. They and their partner spent a lovely couple of hours with me in a local forest on a cool, cloudy day, getting rope-drunk tied to a tree and modeling for photos.

There is great beauty in someone who is so comfortable with their own body, who relishes the fresh air on their skin and the mud on their bare feet, who goes into subspace from the drip of dew on the nape of their neck. There is beauty in the act of submission, and the loving act of their partner tying them. It honors me to document that deep form of love, the care and respect that goes into doing it well, the careful fastening of ropes and constant checking for feedback, the efforts to heighten sensation, and the attentive after-care when the ropes are removed. When I'm photographing such a scene, I feel like a documentarian, hovering around the fringes, capturing the action and the emotion and the interaction between dom and sub, telling the story.

And of course when Tiana was fully tied, they had very little capacity to stretch and pose in typical ways, their interaction with the camera limited to the movement of eyes and face, and the act of breathing. I documented, as well as I could, Tiana's place in that space, their smooth skin pressed against the rough bark of the tree, their folded body anchored to the roots of a grove of trees that stretched away into the distance, their body resting on cool, damp earth littered with fallen leaves.

After being untied, and recovering somewhat, Tiana did a few more traditional poses among the trees. By this point she was, mentally, fully immersed in the space, one more living thing among the rest.

Edited images will be coming soon. Meanwhile, here are three preview images to give you a taste for what we created.

To wit, I had eleven acceptances: four in the Photojournalism category (two photos each accepted by two judges); four in the Open Colour category (three photos, one accepted by two judges); and three in the Open Monochrome category (two photos, one accepted by two judges).

As results go, that's about average. And the monochrome results included one photo ("Together") that hasn't seen much attention in the past, as well as another ("Morning stroll") that's a newcomer on the scene. Both of these are photos that I'll be submitting again, though probably cautiously -- both of them are a bit on the sensual side, which can be tricky with certain judges.

Together (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x2) Godiva in the evening (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted x2)Godiva in the Evening
6I8A5669 (5/1/2021)
9/14/2014
Courtney Appleseed (AKA Stella Luceat)
Bend, Oregon

2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Open Color PIDC): Exhibited virtually Morning stroll (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Winthrop Glacier (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Lilith and Eve (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted)

Here are the full figurative results:

1. "Together" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Lior Allay and Cyndical, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2017: Accepted by two judges
2. "Godiva in the Evening" (Open Colour PIDC), Stella Luceat (modeling at that time as Courtney Appleseed), Bend, Oregon, September 2014: Accepted by two judges
3. "Morning stroll" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Lillias Right, Seattle, July 2016: Accepted by one judge
4. "Winthrop Glacier" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Third Burroughs, Mount Rainier National Park, August 2021: Accepted by one judge
5. "Lilith and Eve" (Open Colour PIDC), Vex Voir and Katlyn Lacoste, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017: Accepted by one judge

As it happened, I went in a different direction. Most of what I have in mind for erotic art is better shot in a bedroom or boudoir setting than in a studio; I'm interested in the eroticism of everyday environments, not the artificiality of a studio with blank backdrops and stage props.  So I'll follow that up another day, with another model.

And in fact what finally made me agree to this photo shoot was an idea for how to avoid the standard studio shoot -- by literally turning the camera around and shooting, instead, amid the clutter of the studio rather than against the blank cyclorama. The idea was to try to capture something that looked more "behind the scenes," less artificial.

I think it worked, at least partially. It's going to be interesting to think through this photo shoot and figure out what worked and what didn't. I don't think this will be an approach I use regularly. But it resulted in some interesting images, and the idea of shooting "behind the scenes" is one that could be applied elsewhere.

What do you think?

I shot for an hour with Rollii, and then another hour with Maddie, who, it turns out, is local, when she's not traveling, and a hiker, so look for her someday in a more typical photoshoot out in the wilderness somewhere. Here are a few favorite preview images; you can see more here.

I'm less pleased with the fact that none, zip, nada of my entries in the Nature theme were accepted by any judge. But it was already clear that this is a category in which I struggle, and the only reason I submitted photos was because the price structure of the Circuit allowed me to enter a third theme (besides just Open Color and Open Monochrome) at no additional cost. So I wasn't out anything for trying.

No neighbors (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x4, HM) States of matter (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4) Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4) Light in the darkness (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x3) Earth, Water and Fire (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)

My accepted and awarded images include:

• "No Neighbors" (Open Color PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022: Salon Honorable Mention at Kula, accepted at Aleksinac, Kolasin, and Novi Sad
• "States of Matter" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019: Accepted at Aleksinac, Kolasin, Kula and Novi Sad
• "Portend" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Leo Velo, Seattle, February 2016: Accepted at Aleksinac, Kolasin, Kula and Novi Sad
• "Light in the Darkness" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Mikki Marvel, July 2016: Accepted at Aleksinac, Kula and Novi Sad
• "Earth, Water and Fire" (Open Color PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022: Accepted at Kolasin

The exhibition presented a Gold, Silver, Bronze, and four Honorable Mentions, out of 51 finalists. So Honorable Mention's pretty good!

The exhibit, titled "Figure That!", is one I've applied to before, and the second time in a row that I've received an award!

One interesting side note on this. 3 Square Art posted its top award winners on Facebook and Instagram... unedited. The Bronze award also features a figure nude, but in mixed media (pen and paint, I think). Mine is a black and white photograph. That's the kind of thing that usually gets you banned by the Meta Monster. But apparently it's more clear that it's not "sexual solicitation" when it's an art gallery posting the image than when it's the original artist.

I find that fascinating.

 

 

 

 

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Flight (Exhibited) Previously, my photos were exhibited at the Tampa Nude Nite in 2019 and 2020, and at the Orlando event in 2020. The Orlando photo sold, so hopefully my luck will repeat this year.

The accepted photo is "Flight," with Abi Blue in Seattle in June 2021. A personal favorite image of mine, for sure!

The festival opens at 6pm on February 9, 2023 and closes at midnight on February 11, 2023. Tickets are available here. (If someone wants to buy me a plane ticket from Seattle to Orlando, I'll buy my own ticket to the Festival!)

In a bit of behind-the-scenes intrigue, I received an email from Nude Nite saying:

NUDE NITE ORLANDO 2023 VENUE UPDATE:

Due to safety concerns, the venue has changed to Canvas Event Venue located at 1401 Florida Mall Ave, Orlando, FL 32809

NUDE NITE TAMPA 2023 UPDATE:

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Nude Nite Tampa 2023 has been cancelled. Ticket purchases will automatically be refunded.

If you'd like to attend Nude Nite in Orlando, show proof of a refunded Tampa ticket and we'll offer you 50% off a ticket at the door in Orlando.

If you are an artist that submitted art to our Tampa show, your submission fees will be refunded.

I would very much like to know what the circumstances were that caused the Tampa show to be cancelled, and the Orlando one to be moved "due to safety concerns." Our world has become so dangerous lately, with hate-fueled mass shootings, and I wonder if that was the concern in this case. Florida is certainly earning a reputation, under its current governor, of being a place with open intolerance for those that conservative politicians view as being outside the mainstream.

You'd think nudity would be the ultimate mainstream -- what's more universal than the human body? -- but, there you go.

If anyone has any insight into this matter, I'd love to hear from you.

Here's my entry for Nude Nite: Tampa, the show that got cancelled.

Rest and Upheaval (Top Images, to be published)Rest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal Dodho Magazine (published in Barcelona) advertised a "Nude Photography Awards" contest, which I only discovered last month, just in time for the New Year's Eve deadline. The entry fee was reasonable, so how could I not apply? I submitted three photos and got set to wait -- the text said results would come "the second week of July" (!).

But then I heard from them on January 17, so maybe their English translation was incorrect and they meant January all along.

And the results are good! Two of my three photos were selected. Here's the full text of what that supposedly means:

From Dodho Magazine we are pleased to inform you that your fantastic photography "Archive: Off Season" has been selected as a finalist in the Nude Photography Awards. As a finalist your image will be published in the book “NUDE” to be released next February. As you know in this book only the 100 best images received in the convocation are published.

Also inform you that your other image "Archive: Rest and Upheaval" has been selected as the best 25 images of the call, for this reason it will be exhibited for a year in our online gallery, which receives thousands of views monthly.

To prepare the book and gallery we need you to send us the images in high resolution (300 dpi) Along with links to your website or other links to your social networks. At any time if you have any questions, please contact me. Once again, I would like to wish you our heartfelt congratulations on your talented work.

I Off Season (Finalist, to be published) 'm not sure why the titles came through to them with "Archive:" in front of the names, except that they were sent as zipped files so maybe that had something to do with it. I corrected the names when I wrote back.

It'll be cool to see my images included in a book of high quality nude images. And I mean high quality. Seriously. Follow the link. These are some great photos. I am really jazzed to be included among them.

If the publication comes through, I presume they'll let me know about it (and probably ask me to buy a copy at $64 apiece...), and I'll pass the info on to you.

The two images featured are:

• "Rest and Upheaval," Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018: "Top Images"
• "Off Season," Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022: Finalist

About two weeks ago, I received the results of my entry to the "Figures or Faces" exhibition at Las Laguna Art Gallery in Las Laguna, California. Out of three photos, one was chosen to be included in an online exhibit that opens on March 2, 2023, and presumably runs at least through the rest of the month. A small number of photos, apparently, were chosen for physical exhibition, but I haven't heard anything further, so assume mine was not one of them. Still, nice to be included, and this image is a good one to represent my work.

Accepted!

"Vernal Light," Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019

Exclusive (Exhibited, Honorable Mention)

• "Photography contests are a great way to find out if your images are up to scratch. By participating in these competitions, you can win big—either cash prizes, camera equipment, or having your work exhibited. You might not win any money. But posting your images on the competition’s website has a lot of benefits." But it goes on to say "ExpertPhotography is supported by readers. Product links on ExpertPhotography are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something, we make a little bit of money." So, a biased source.
• "It depends.... Photography contests typically don’t offer you any detailed feedback on your images, other than a pass/fail grade — you either win or you don’t. So, contests are not an effective way to evaluate your skills. But they can be fun. And most of us got into photography because we enjoy it. So, if you enjoy entering contests, then of course there’s nothing wrong with doing so.... Above all, do what you feel like doing. Photography is supposed to be fun. Win or lose, your images are your images, and if you like them, and you enjoyed making them, you’ve already won." This page also has a great summary of the difference between "contest" and "exhibitions," including those sponsored by the Photographic Society of America, and why the latter are so valuable.
• "Photo contests are one of the most controversial areas of photo sharing, and not without good reason. Many online photo contests amount to little more than a rights grab with “exposure” as your prize.... I saw a small spike in visitors to my web page for a couple of days and I gained a few facebook followers. I have not booked a single session or even gained a subscriber to my email list as a result of this usage that put my work in front of millions of viewers.... Exposure is fun and it's worthwhile if it's for a cause you believe in, but it is rarely worth much beyond that, so don't fool yourself. [But] if a reputable contest is offering a prize that you covet, for an entry fee that you are comfortable with, then by all means, you should enter any photo you feel has a remote possibility of winning.... Photo contests can be a great way to get valuable feedback and see how your photos rank amongst a group of your peers. Sometimes, you may even win cool prizes, just make sure you're not selling the cow for a handful of magic beans."
• "Are photography contests actually worth it? Our answer in short is yes. Photo contests aren’t about vanity or bragging rights—well maybe a little. But mostly they’re a smart business decision that puts you in front of a new audience, motivates you to evaluate your work, and gives your SEO a boost.... With a contest winner badge on your website, you automatically set yourself apart from other photographers. Winning photography contests adds credibility to you, your images, and your website. It’s an extra added bonus that’ll help transform website viewers into loyal customers.... Submitting to contests presents the perfect opportunity to do a deep evaluation of your work.... So no, we don’t think that winning a photo contest makes you a better photographer, but the process of evaluating your work on a regular basis will.... Getting featured in a popular photo contest gives you great SEO juice. Your Google rankings will increase when credible sites are linking to you."
• "Competitions offer a seemingly quick route to recognition and success. The thing is, though, I do not know of a single photographer who has landed a client because they have won awards, nor have I ever had a client ask me to show them my awards resume. Clients generally only care about the images you produce and if you can provide them with a satisfactory professional experience. And so, before you expend effort and spend your money on entering a competition, be sure you are doing it for the right reasons. If you want to enter them for personal gratification, by all means, go for it, but if you are trying to increase your professional standing, that money and effort are probably best spent elsewhere, like improving your craft."
• "A lot can happen during a photo contest process (from judging to the exhibition), and becoming more aware of what you’re good at and where you need improvement will help you develop your photography career.... Although it’s essential to stick with styles or subjects that you know well, shooting for contests often forces you to try something new and explore different creative possibilities. This type of exposure can push you outside your comfort zone and help you develop new interests, and make you a better photographer overall.... If you want to enter a photography competition with an entry fee, you should keep in mind that you are paying to get professionals in the field to look at your work and give an impartial judgment.... Check the reputation of the brand organizing the contest. The sponsors, the qualifications of the judges, how well-known the contest organizers are, and how often the competition is held. Check out their website to see reviews and comments. You can also look up the previous winners and how they have advanced in their careers after winning.... The Sony World Photography Awards: is one of the most prestigious photography awards.... Some other well-known photography competitions are the IPA or International Photography Awards, the Monovisions Photography Awards, the National Geographic Photo Contest, and the Pulitzer Prize for Photography."
• "That competitive edge is a really good way of driving your photography on by that extra few percent.... In the same way that a themed contest can give you direction, it can also push you out of your comfort zone.... Having a winning entry, be that the overall winner or a top ten photo gives your photography validation. There is nothing that beats this when it comes to things like growing your photography business. The ability to call yourself a prize-winning photographer can go a long way.... If you’re lucky, you might get direct feedback from the person judging the contest. Those contests that allow comments may also lead to fellow contestants commenting on your work. Getting feedback on what you do is a great way to grow as a photographer."
• "Photo contests are worth it, they help you improve your skills and creativity.... Instead of thinking about the destination - the contest prize - consider your journey to submitting the photographs instead. You'll learn something new, no matter the outcome. This knowledge will lead to better photoshoots and a stronger creative intuition."
• "I have two major issues with most of the photo contests I have seen or entered: incentive and transparency. Every photo contest is driven by an “incentive” not necessarily aligned with the photographer’s interest. National Geographic wants to sell magazines, Getty wants to recruit stock photographers, and 500px wants more active users. A city council wants free arts, an event host wants to sell tickets, and many miscellaneous photo contests just want your money. The list goes on and on. The key is: As a photographer you have to examine the incentive that drives a photo contest, and you want to enter only the ones best aligned with your objective and how you want to be evaluated. But, is it possible? Is it possible to know how your works are evaluated in a contest? This brings to my other concern: lack of transparency.... Usually, the only information you get before entering a contest are: prizes, fees, some basic rules, and a big button calling you for action. Sometimes you don’t get to know who the jury are, let alone their qualifications. Other times you don’t get to know the criteria or the process for the evaluation that your works are subject to. It literally feels like money sucked up by a vampire when you “lose” in a photo contest because you get zero response and zero feedback. You don’t even know how you lose! So are photo contests worthwhile competing in? As an amateur photographer, I have to say: Not really. Yes, you do get exposure if you win, but... you are also unlikely to learn much when you lose because of the silent treatment you get. By all means, enter a photo contest if there is a specific goal you want to achieve. Competitions have forced me to examine my skills and made me think (or guess since I receive no feedback) when I lose. It also proves that your works are more than a wow from your friends and family when you do win. Just know what you are getting into and be selective!"

Honorable Mention! So in summary, it sounds like:

• Photo contests can be great exercises to self-evaluate your work. I've certainly found this to be true myself.
• The ideal contests are those that actually provide feedback to participants about their photos. I've found few contests that actually do this. The PSA contests come closest, in that they at least give you a numerical score so you can see quantitatively how good the judges think your images are.
• "Exposure" is great in principle, but seldom makes much of a difference IRL. Best practice might be to put your award banners prominently on your page so people looking to hire you can be impressed by your credentials, and to choose prestigious contests that link back to your website to improve your SEO.
• Contests can be fun and self-affirming, and those are good enough reasons to consider them.
• If you're looking to improve your photography, communities like ViewBug and local Photography Clubs might be better ways to get actual feedback.

Lots to think about.

So it stung when my photos were declined in 2020. And 2021. And again in 2022. I tell myself that everyone has a different idea of what is great art, and the art that the Festival has exhibited has been fantastic. But I'd still like to get back on the walls myself.

The last few years I've put a lot of effort into trying to guess what the Festival is going to like. This year I finally just said "to hell with it," I'm going to define my own standard of excellence and submit the images that I am most proud of, and feel good about it regardless of what the judges think.

So I'm going to celebrate these images before the judging. I'll come back to them if they win, obviously, but this is a great opportunity for me to share some photos that I love very much. Each required an artist statement describing my thoughts on the image, though limited to 350 characters, which isn't much. without further ado, please enjoy my personal Erotic Art Festival, which starts here and now:

Exclusive
Exclusive
For most of Western history, women have been locked out. Locked out of power, locked out of control over their own bodies, locked out of history itself. Isn’t it understandable, then, that locked doors quickly become symbolic of so much more? Marzipanned was photographed in Seattle’s Frink Park in January 2019.

Flight
Flight
We shroud ourselves in fabric and leather, our origins in the natural world lost in urban canyons of concrete and steel. And yet—isn’t there a part of us that still remembers what it is like to live freely in the world, barefoot and bare skinned, leaping ecstatically into the sky like a gull? I photographed Abi Blue in Seattle in June 2021.

Off season
Off Season
In wilderness, we resume our place in the natural world, free and unfettered by the artificial limits of modern society. These refuges are dwindling not just for flora and fauna but also for humans of similar spirit. Sometimes you just have to make do with a tourist road in the off season. I photographed Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh in March 2022.

Rest and Upheaval: ACCEPTEDRest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal
Rest and Upheaval
To be human is to live amid contrast and contradiction. We strive for restful calm; yet the world is filled with chaos and turmoil. But waves and tide can, in time, smooth sharp edges into polished stone. Nature both threatens and sustains us, and we find balance in the center of the storm. I photographed Queen Dandelion at Rialto Beach, July 2018.

Skinny Dipper
Skinny Dipper
Sometimes it’s not so bad to go hiking on a cool, drizzly September day: instead of a trail full of hikers, you have the wilderness to yourself, which makes it a lot easier to strip off your clothes and go skinny dipping. I photographed Dolly Mattel at Crystal Lakes in September 2021.

Gothic Sundial: ACCEPTED
Gothic Sundial
It’s time to stop limiting the definition of “beauty” to blonde hair and svelte bodies. It’s time to be inclusive in our definition of human sensuality. There is so much to celebrate! It’s time to embrace our full potential as sensual beings. I photographed Psychopomp in Seattle in October 2012.

Me and my shadow
Me and my shadow
To contrast the natural human body with the urban environment, I photographed Lillias Right at dawn on the Seattle waterfront in July 2016, before most of the city was awake. I used slow shutter speeds and a tripod, relying on the warm ambient light of street lamps, and capturing the skyline, shops, and ferries in the faint light of early morning.

Proof: ACCEPTED
Proof
For a non-binary individual like Lior Allay, photographed at Freeway Park in Seattle in March 2019, gender and identity are in constant tension with cultural expectations. Clothing, hair, body structure and society’s ever-present obsession with genitalia all play a role. Here, we cheekily ask, who do YOU say I am? And what do you ask for, as proof?

Role ReversalRole Reversal
B75A5311 (01-10-2021)
04-23-2019
Melancholic and Despondent
Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington

2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited, Finalist
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Pazardzhik and Paracin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted
2021-11-12 Knox Contemporary Art Gallery (online exhibition based in Calgary, Alberta), "XPOSED: Naked and Not Afraid": Exhibited online
Role Reversal
“For five thousand years, you have been telling me that it’s a war between the sexes, that one gender must win and the other must lose, and that men are the naturally superior sex. I call bullshit. It’s time to beat you at your own game.” - Melancholic (paraphrased), photographed at Discovery Park in Seattle in April 2019.

Once more, with feelingOnce More, with Feeling
6I8A5142 (08-10-2017)
08-04-2017
Violet
Deadwood Lakes, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2021-11-19 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Rochester, New York): Exhibited digitally
Once more, with feeling
After an exhausting day running around naked in the wilderness, being tied up on ridge tops, and skinny dipping in muddy mountain lakes, you can be excused for lying down among the daisies and taking a moment to enjoy the feel of your own skin. A true story with Violet at Deadwood Lakes in August 2017.

This photoshoot got to a point of real embarrassment: October of 2020, yes, two years and three months ago. I really need to make an effort to actually catch up.

Anyway, it's finally edited! Petals and Pomegranates was a lot of fun to work with, very free spirited, very comfortable with her body, a trait I admire. We shot right at the end of the season at Snow Lake in Mount Rainier National Park, and given the lateness of the year the colors were fantastic (albeit starting to fade) and the crowds were small. The light was really tricky. I had planned to shoot in the evening for good light, but the truth was that in most cases the light was just super-contrasty -- bright on the cliffs and shadowed in the canyon, making it difficult to include both in the same image without using HDR, which doesn't look good applied to the human body.

Nevertheless, there are some great images here, and they got better and better as the evening progressed and the light equalized. My favorite photos of the whole photoshoot were the final dozen made just as the sun was dropping behind the Tatoosh Range. I mean, literally, we got to the final location, and I said hurry hurry hurry, we only have seconds to capture these last images, and Petals threw off her clothes and did some quick modeling, and my camera went click click click click click, and then the light was gone and the photo shoot was done. And those were the best photos.

So much of photography is exactly like that.

See for yourself. My ten favorites from this set, without further ado.

Mammals in the Mist (Honorable Mention)Mammals in the mist
B758253 (2021-07-01)
2019-07-16
Bunny Luna
Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park

2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Nude PIDC) (Malta and Serbia): Accepted
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Open Monochrome) (Kolkata, India): Accepted

There are a number of online photography contests that (let's be honest) may or may not be more a means of making money than promoting photographers. Leastwise, it's hard to know whether the benefit of having a "win" at one of these contests on your resume is actually an advantage, or something that, for example, gallery managers or sales representatives even care about. I go through this angst repeatedly, and wish there were better resources for knowing whether it's worth the money to keep applying to these websites.

Still, it's pretty nice to see your photo among so many other great images, and to have another "Honorable Mention" on the list. Maybe someday I'll break through into that rarified air of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place win. But with 74 Honorable Mentions in my category it's way more likely that I'll keep landing in that zone. Of course, then one wonders just how many photos were submitted in the "Amateur Nude" category. What if there were only 77 people who entered, and each of them had one of their photos awarded?? There is literally no way to know. The overall 1st place winner wins an award of $1000 ($2K in the professional category), but the rest of the winners just get "exposure to galleries around the world," none of which have contacted me so far. Even the category 1st place winners, other than the overall winner, just get published in an annual book, which may benefit the Monochrome Photography Awards more than the photographers themselves.

This one, at least, doesn't charge as much for an entry as a lot of similar contest websites do. And it is pretty cool to have the win. But I still wonder if I'm paying more for vanity than substance.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has real knowledge about these things.

Rest and Upheaval (Exhibited)Rest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal

It's really nice, with international exhibitions, when galleries agree up front to print images from digital files for display. It allows for a physical exhibition, in addition to the digital exhibit online, even though it would have been prohibitively expensive to actually send a physical print overseas. And it's pretty exciting to know that my image is hanging on the wall in a gallery in Scotland right now. (I've previously had prints hanging in the PH21 Gallery in Hungary through the same process.)

If you find yourself in Scotland, take a photo for me! The exhibit closes on January 31.

Here's a full summary:

x Primal (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x3, Silver, Merit) The kiss (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted x2, Merit x2) Twice the beauty (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted, Gold) Ad astra (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted) Tahoma (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Tahoma
6I8A5678 (04-12-2021)
08-01-2018
Ice Caves Trail, Mount Rainier National Park

2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published Tatoosh Mirror (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Tatoosh Mirror
B75A8549 (07-02-2021)
07-17-2019
Bunny Luna
Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDM): Accepted

• "Primal" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Ramdhanu Silver Medal and Merit Award, Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
• "The Kiss" (Open Colour PIDC), two Merit Awards, Gin & Ginger, Seattle, May 2022 (accepted for the first time)
• "Twice the Beauty" (Open Colour PIDC), PSA Gold Medal, Invy Rose, Mazama Ridge, August 2022 (accepted for the first time)
• "Ad Astra" (Open Colour PIDC), Lonna Manson, Seattle, April 2017 (accepted for the first time)
• "Tatoosh Mirror" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019
• "Tahoma" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Haven Model, Mount Rainier National Park, August 2018

Funny how these tchotchkes feel so motivating. But someone went to a lot of effort to put one of these things into the mail, fill out a lot of paperwork, wrap it in half a roll of packing tape, and send it off into the international mail. That's gratifying in a weird way. And receiving it, and carefully opening it, surgically peeling away the tape in case whatever is inside is delicate, feels like Christmas morning.

Here's my latest haul, along with the exotic accoutrements. The Indian package smells musty, like the back room of a museum, with a hint of spice. But maybe the latter is my excited imagination.

The ribbon is from the "Man and Work" Salon in Serbia, which closed all the way back on January 15 of 2022 -- almost a year ago! The one from India is more prompt, from the CAS Photo Academy salon in September, and which promised to send awards out at the end of December. They're ironically for the same image, "Rest and Upheaval" featuring Queen Dandelion at Rialto Beach in July 2018, though the ribbon also represents "Old Roots" from that same photo shoot.

1. "Rest and Upheaval," Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018

Same as last year, this image continues to excel far above the rest of my portfolio. This year's highlights include exhibition in galleries in Florida (where it was sold) and, coming up, in Glasgow, Scotland; Honorable Mentions as the lead image in a series at PX3 Prix in Paris, in the Black & White Spider Awards, and in the ND Photo Awards; and six acceptances in four PSA salons, where it won a Gold Medal and three Honorable Mentions or the equivalent.

Rest and Upheaval (2018)Rest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missouri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal
2022-02-19 to 03-12 House of Shadows Creative Gallery & Market (Tampa, Florida), "XPlicit IV: Erotic Art": Exhibited and Sold
2022-01-15 Man and Work (Zajecar, Serbia) (Free Monochrome PIDM): FIAP Honorable Mention
2022-03-21 Artistic Creations Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): PSA Gold Medal
2022-05-15 PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris (Amateur Nude, series): Honorable Mention
2022-09-12 CAS Photo Academy (India) (Monochrome): Merit Medal Award
2022-10-25 Bosnia (Open Monochrome): Salon Diploma
2022-11-20 ND Photo Awards (ndawards.net) (Non-Professional Fine-Art Nudes): Honorable Mention
2022-11-26 Black and White Spider Awards (Beverly Hills, CA) (Amateur Nude): Nomination
2023-01-06 to 31 The Glasgow Gallery of Photography (Glasgow, Scotland) (International Photography Exhibition: Monochrome): Exhibited
2023-01-17 Dodho Magazine (Barcelona, Spain) Nude Photography Awards: Best Images (top 25, "published in the book 'NUDE' to be released next February" and "exhibited for a year in our online gallery"
2023-04-21 to 23 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited

2. "Jacob's Angel," Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, June 2017

This photo was a wonderful surprise. I hadn't used it at all in 2021, but it took the PSA salons by storm, landing in the number two slot for this year and all the way up to number 3 in all-time rank. Highlights include exhibition at a gallery in Arizona; Honorable Mention at the online Art Show International; and 15 acceptances at nine PSA salons, including three Honorable Mention awards or the equivalent.

Jacob's Angel (2017)Isaac's Angel
6I8A9798 (1/26/2019)
6/8/2017
Vex Voir
Interlaken Park, Seattle, Washington
2022-01-15 Full Frame International Salon (Mumbai, India) (Nature ND): Accepted
2022-01-15 Man and Work (Zajecar, Serbia) (Free Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-02-20 Gold Shadow Exhibition (Cuprija, Serbia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-03-01 Onyx Salon (Romania) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-04-01 Tower Circuit (Kula, Novi Sad, Aleksinac, Ruma, and Vrbas) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-06-27 Lanki (Sri Lanka) (Open Color PIDC): Judge's Choice in one of three judgings
2022-09-12 CAS Photo Academy (India) (Colour PIDC): Accepted
2022-10-10 Photo Fest Bitola (North Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2022-10-10 Bengal Super Circuit (India) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted in 3 of 5 judgings; Merit Award in two of them
2023-02-07 Art Show International (Online) (Figurative) (As "Jacob's Angel"): Talent Award ($25) (equivalent of 4th place, below 1st, Runner-up, and Merit but above Honorable Mention)
2023-04-14 to 16 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Auburn, NY) (as Jacob's Angel): Digital exhibition

3. "Gothic Sundial," Psychopomp, Seattle, October 2012

Another happy surprise, this image dates back a decade, but was immediately treated positively by contest judges when I finally submitted it. It was accepted nine times at six PSA salons, earning three Honorable Mention awards or the equivalent in addition to the "Highest Score" at one salon. It was also included in this year's digital exhibition at the Rochester Erotic Arts Festival.

Gothic Sundial (2012)Gothic Sundial
6I8A0566 (10/26/2012)
10/26/2012
Seattle, Washington
2022-01-30 Salon Singidunum (Face and Body PIDC) (Belgrade, Serbia): Accepted
2022-02-15 WSP Hungary (Woman PIDC) (Budapest, Hungary): Salon Honorable Mention
2022-02-21 Legends of Future (Portrait & Body PIDC) (Bangladesh): Salon Ribbon, Thumbs Up Certificate for high score image
2022-04-29 to 30 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Auburn, New York): Digital exhibition
2022-10-10 Photo Fest Bitola (North Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): National Diploma
2022-11-20 Click U (India) (Portrait and Body PIDC): Accepted in 3 of 6 judgings
2023-03-10 to 04-10 Art Square Gallery NY (Online) (Body Revealed): Online exhibition
2023-04-21 to 23 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited

4. "Shasta II," Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017

This photo was ranked number 20 in 2021, and is now 6th in all-time rank. It was accepted 13 times at 7 PSA salons.

Shasta II (2017)Shasta II
6I8A6319 (3-16-2020)
08-22-2017
Shasta Wonder
Lynnwood, Washington
2021-11-20 Vidin Spring Circuit (Bulgaria and Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM), as "Shasta": Accepted; Salon Gold Medal in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
2022-01-30 Unlimited Photo (Podgorica, Montenegro) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-02-15 WSP Hungary (Budapest, Hungary) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-03-21 Artistic Creations Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome): Accepted
2022-09-11 Photo Story (North Macedonia) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-10-03 Varadinum (Romania) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-10-15 Aesthetic Vision (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in 5 of 6 judgings
2022-11-06 Art Life (North Macedonia) (Open Monochrome): Accepted

5. "Godiva in the Evening," Stella Luceat, Bend, Oregon, September 2014

Another old photo, this time from 2014, this one ranked number 41 last year but is now 8th in all-time rank. It was accepted 12 times at seven PSA salons.

Godiva in the Evening (2014)Godiva in the Evening
6I8A5669 (5/1/2021)
9/14/2014
Stella Luceat (as Courtney Appleseed)
Bend, Oregon
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-02-20 Gold Shadow Exhibition (Cuprija, Serbia) (People PIDC): Accepted
2022-03-21 Artistic Creations Circuit (Open Color PIDC) (India): Accepted
2022-05-15 WSP Budapest (Hungary) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-06-27 Lanki (Sri Lanka) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted in one of three judgings
2022-09-11 Photo Story (North Macedonia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-10-15 FKA Autumn Circuit (Novi Sad, Serbia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted in 1 of 3 judgings
2022-11-15 Three Country Grand Circuit (Montenegro and Serbia) (Woman PIDC): Accepted
2022-12-26 Colour Pixels Circuit (India) (Open Colour PIDC): Accepted in 2 of 3 judgings

6. "Vantage," Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016

Another photo unused in 2021, this selection from one of my most memorable photo shoots (on an extraordinarily beautiful evening in one of the most beautiful places on earth) now ranks 12th all-time. It was accepted 10 times at eight PSA salons, and received a Bronze Medal and Honorable Mention.

Vantage (2016)Vantage
6I8A3068 (3/1/2017)
3/21/2016
Dominique Zuniga
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
2022-01-15 Full Frame International Salon (Nature ND): Accepted
2022-01-30 Magic Life International Contest of Art Photography (Yenişehir-Mersin, Turkey) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-02-15 Photo Salon Kicevo (North Macedonia) (Light and Shadows PIDC): Accepted
2022-03-10 MNE PBK Circuit (Budva, Montenegro) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-04-24 Pirin Salon (Pirin, Bulgaria) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-06-27 Lanki (Sri Lanka) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in one of three judgings
2022-09-12 Zodiac (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted and Salon Bronze in one of four judgings
2022-10-15 FKA Autumn Circuit (Aleksinac, Kula and Novi Sad, Serbia) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in all 3 salons; Salon Honorable Mention at Kula

7. "Shelter," Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018

This photo shoot continues to surpass all others in every measure of success. This particular image wasn't used in contests last year but is now 11th in overall rank. It was accepted 11 times at 5 PSA salons this year and received an Honorable Mention.

Shelter (2018)Shelter
6I8A5012 (9-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Queen Dandelion
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park
2022-02-15 WSP Hungary (Budapest, Hungary) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-03-10 MNE PBK Circuit (Podgorica, Montenegro) (Woman Monochrome PIDM): Honorable Mention
2022-04-24 Pirin Salon (Pirin, Bulgaria) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-08-15 Photomania Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in five of six judgings
2022-10-10 Bengal Super Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in 3 of 5 judgings

8. "Calico," Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019

This photo set was fully edited by the beginning of last year, but I didn't include it in contests until this year. I think its success is partly due to how charismatic the furry co-model is! This year's success brings it to number 15 in all-time rank. It was accepted 11 times at 6 PSA salons.

Calico (2019)Calico
B75A1871 (2/11/2022)
1/4/2019
Marzipanned
Seattle, Washington
2022-07-10 Odessos (Bulgaria) (Portrait and Body PIDC): Accepted
2022-09-12 CAS Photo Academy (India) (Face & Body PIDC): Accepted
2022-10-03 Varadinum (Romania) (Face & Body PIDC): Accepted
2022-10-10 Bengal Super Circuit (India) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted in 4 of 5 judgings
2022-11-06 Art Life (North Macedonia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-11-20 Click U (India) (Portrait and Body PIDC): Accepted in 3 of 6 judgings
2023-03-01 NSAPK Circuit (Serbia) (Woman Man Child PIDC): Accepted at Aleksinac, Kolasin, Novi Sad and Podgorica

9. "Asunder," Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018

Yet another photo from that great photo shoot at Rialto Beach in the summer of 2018. This photo was ranked number 3 last year and remains in the top ten, including all-time rank, where it's number 5. It was accepted 7 times at 5 PSA salons, and earned a Gold Medal and two Honorable Mentions. It was also one of a 6-photo series that received an Honorable Mention at the PX3 Prix online contest in Paris.

Asunder (2018)Asunder
6I8A5210 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Pazardzhik and Paracin, Bulgaria; Cuprija, Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; awarded DIPA Honorable Mention in Cuprija and Salon Honorable Mention in Paracin
2021-11-06 Black & White Spider Awards (based in Beverly Hills, California) (Amateur Nude): Nomination
2022-01-30 Magic Life International Contest of Art Photography (Yenişehir-Mersin, Turkey) (Open Monochrome): Club Gold Medal
2022-03-10 MNE PBK Circuit (Podgorica, Montenegro) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
2022-04-24 Pirin Salon (Pirin, Bulgaria) (Open Monochrome): Accepted, but erroneously submitted as "Center of the Storm"
2022-05-15 PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris (Amateur Nude, series): Honorable Mention
2022-08-15 World System Photo (Hungary) (Open Monochrome): Accepted
2022-10-10 South Asian Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in all three salons; Merit Medal in two of them

10. "Ohanapecosh 215," Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022

Katlyn and I made this photo in March of this year, hiking a couple of miles in on a road not yet open to summer vehicle traffic. It was totally worth it, as the photos are awesome and have been climbing the ranks of my best images, led by this one, which is now ranked number 17 overall. It was accepted nine times at three PSA salons, and won a Bronze Medal and Honorable Mention.

Ohanapecosh 215 (2022)Ohanapecosh 215
4I0A2631 (4/28/22)
3/28/22
Ohanapecosh, Mount Rainier National Park
2022-08-22 Suvarna (India) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
2022-10-01 Balkan Circuit (Aleksinak, Novi Sad and Vrbas, Serbia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted; Salon Honorable Mention at Novi Sad
2022-10-20 Click U (India) (Open Colour PIDC): Accepted in 5 of 6 judgings; Salon Bronze Medal in one of them
2023-02-01 DPW SBM Circuit (Serbia) (Woman Man Child PIDC): Accepted at Serbia
2023-03-05 Photo Salon Kicevo (North Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): Accepted

Want to check out my complete ranking of all the photos that have been submitted to exhibitions and contests over the years? Check out the full collection on my Exhibitions page!

I've been reviewing my photographic accomplishments for the year and feel like I've achieved some great recognition, and learned a great deal about what makes a good photograph. Honestly, I didn't realize that I'd invested in so many contests and exhibitions, but I learn something from each of them.

In summary (with submission deadlines of December 2021 through November 2022; results usually take about a month):

Rest and Upheaval (Accepted)SOLD! Rest and Upheaval<br/>6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)<br/>07-31-2018<br/>Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington<br/><br/>2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted<br/>2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice<br/>2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published<br/>2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), &quot;14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show&quot;: Exhibited<br/>2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled &quot;Rest and Upheaval&quot;: Honorable Mention<br/>2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), &quot;Figure That!&quot;: Exhibited with a Gold Award<br/>2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)<br/>2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)<br/>2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit<br/>2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal 20 Photos exhibited in 10 physical galleries and one digital exhibition; one sold

• Three photos in “Unmasking Ourselves: Celebrating our Differences and Challenging Misconceptions” at Drury University Art & Art History Program (Springfield, Missouri), February 4-25, 2022
• One photo in “Feminine/Masculine” at PH21 Gallery (Budapest, Hungary), February 10-March 5, 2022
• One photo at Dirty Show 22 (Detroit, Michigan), February 11-19, 2022
• Five photos (one sold!) in “Explicit IV: Erotic Art” at House of Shadows Creative Gallery (Tampa, Florida), February 19-March 12, 2022
• One photo in “Stripped Down” at Vestige Gallery (Pittsburg, Pennsylvania), February 19 – March 20, 2022
• Three photos digitally exhibited at Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Auburn, New York), April 29-30, 2022
• One photo in “Human Nature” at Decode Gallery (Tucson, Arizona), June 11 to July 2, 2022
• Two photos in “Figuratively Speaking” at Artless Bastard Gallery (De Pere, Wisconsin), July 21 to August 20, 2022
• One photo in “Nude” at Decode Gallery (again) (Tucson, Arizona), October 8 to November 5, 2022
• One photo in “International Photography Exhibition: Monochrome” at The Glasgow Gallery of Photography (Glasgow, Scotland) coming up January 6-31, 2023
• One photo in “Figure That!,” 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado) coming up January 20 to February 17, 2023

Nine online exhibitions and contests; five Honorable Mentions

• Two photos in “Figures & Faces,” online at Fusion Arts, December 5, 2021 to January 4, 2022, including an Honorable Mention
• One photo in “Human Faces and Figures,” online at Las Laguna Art Gallery, January 6-29, 2022
• One photo in “she,” online at A Smith Gallery, June 10 to July 21, 2022
• A series of six photos in the Amateur Nude category, online at PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, August 29, 2022: Honorable Mention
• One photo in “Figurative Art,” online at Art Show International, September 5-30, 2022: Honorable Mention
• One photo included in “NFTittities,” an online fundraiser for breast cancer research, October 1-31, 2022
• One photo in the “Non-Professional Fine-Art Nudes” category at ND Photo Awards, online, November 20, 2022: Honorable Mention
• One photo in the “Amateur Nude” category at the online Black and White Spider Awards, November 26, 2022: Nominee
• One photo in the “Amateur Nude” category at the online Chromatic Awards, December 18, 2022: Honorable Mention

One publication, including cover photo

• 24 photos published in the “Art of Nude” issue, number 32, of Art of Portrait Magazine, January 2022, including cover photo

420 Acceptances in Photographic Society of America-affiliated contests in 12 Countries; 4 Gold Medals, 4 Silver Medals, 3 Bronze Medals, and 37 Honorable Mentions or equivalent!

• Six acceptances at Fullframe (India, December 6, 2021)
• Ten acceptances at Man and Work (Serbia, January 15, 2022, FIAP Honorable Mention and Salon Praise)
• Five acceptances at Dhaka Photo Awards (Bangladesh, January 24, 2022)
• Dance in the light (Shadows and Silhouettes PIDC) (PSA Gold Medal)Dance in the Light
  6I8A3527 (2/24/2021)
  3/21/2016
  Dominique Zuniga
  Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
  
  2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online), "Human Nature": Exhibited online
  2021-04-05 Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery (online), "Figurative", as "Dance for the Earth": Exhibited with Special Recognition Eight acceptances at Magic Life (Turkey, January 30, 2022, PSA Gold Medal, Club Gold Medal, Club Silver Medal)
• Nine acceptances at Singidunum (Serbia, January 30, 2022)
• Three acceptances at Unlimited Photo (Montenegro, January 30, 2022)
• Six acceptances at Photo Salon Kicevo (North Macedonia, February 13, 2022, National Diploma)
• Nine acceptances at WSP Hungary (Hungary, February 15, 2022, two Salon Honorable Mentions)
• Seven acceptances at Gold Shadow (Serbia, February 20, 2022)
• Two acceptances at Legends of Future (Bangladesh, February 21, 2022, Salon Ribbon, Highest Score)
• Four acceptances at Onyx (Romania, March 1, 2022)
• Eleven acceptances at MNE PBK Circuit (Montenegro, March 10, 2022)
• Two acceptances at Discovery Photo (India, March 13, 2022)
• Twenty acceptances at Artistic Creations Circuit (India, March 21, 2022, PSA Gold Medal)
• Ten acceptances at Tower Circuit (Serbia, April 1, 2022, Salon Honorable Mention)
• Eleven acceptances at Kanva Circuit (India, April 11, 2022, Certificate of Merit)
• Twelve acceptances at Pirin Salon (Bulgaria, April 24, 2022, IAAP Bronze Medal)
• Fourteen acceptances at DPW Four Country Circuit (Serbia, May 1, 2022, Salon Honorable Mention)
• Ten acceptances at Good Light (Serbia, May 7, 2022, PSA Gold Medal and Salon Diploma)
• Two acceptances at Emerald (Republic of Ireland, May 15, 2022), neither of them figurative photos
• The Shape of You (Woman PIDC) (Salon Silver Medal) Eight acceptances at WSP Budapest (Hungary, May 15, 2022, Salon Silver Medal and Salon Honorable Mention)
• Twenty-one acceptances at Lanki (Sri Lanka, June 27, 2022, Judge's Choice, SSP Merit and Lavish Merit)
• Three acceptances at Odessos (Bulgaria, July 10, 2022, PSA Honorable Mention)
• Six acceptances at Foto Art Super Circuit (India, August 15, 2022, Silver Medal)
• Nineteen acceptances at Photomania Circuit (India, August 15, 2022)
• Three acceptances at World System Photo (Hungary, August 15, 2022)
• Six acceptances at Suvarna (India, August 22, 2022)
• Eight acceptances at Gold Camera (Montenegro, August 28, 2022, Salon Diploma)
• One acceptance at Montenegro Circuit (Montenegro, September 10, 2022, Salon Honorable Mention)
• Five acceptances at Photo Story Macedonia (North Macedonia, September 11, 2022)
• Four acceptances at CAS Photo Academy (India, September 12, 2022, Merit Medal)
• Two acceptances at Zodiac Circuit (India, September 12, 2022, Salon Bronze Medal)
• Twenty-three acceptances at Balkan Circuit (Serbia, October 1, 2022, three Salon Honorable Mentions)
• Two acceptances at Varadinum (Romania, October 3, 2022)
• Twenty-seven acceptances at Bengal Super Circuit (India, October 10, 2022, BSC Merit Award)
• Six acceptances at Photo Fest Bitola (North Macedonia, October 10, 2022, National Diploma)
• Ten acceptances at South Asian Circuit (India, October 10, 2022, two Merit Medals)
• Twenty-eight acceptances at Aesthetic Vision Circuit (India, October 15, 2022, Club Silver Medal)
• Fifteen acceptances at FKA Autumn Circuit (Serbia, October 15, 2022, seven Salon Honorable Mentions)
• Eight acceptances at Bosnia (Bosnia, October 25, 2022)
• Seven acceptances at Art Life (North Macedonia, November 6, 2022)
• Sixteen acceptances at Three Country Circuit (Republic of Ireland, November 15, 2022)
• Sixteen acceptances at ClickU Winter Circuit (India, November 20, 2022, Circuit Bronze Medal)
• Fifteen acceptances at Six Seasons Circuit (India, November 20, 2022, Certificate of Merit)

Over this twelve-month period, 157 separate photos were accepted at one contest or exhibition or another. Looking forward to growing more in my art in 2023!

You can read more about this photo shoot in last week's post. For now, here's the important part. Here are my top ten favorites from this photo set, and you'd like, more, here's a link to my top 100! The password -- just for those of you reading this blog -- is "blogaccess".

This morning I received results from the "Click U Winter Circuit" in India, a Photographic Society-affiliated contest. I entered three themes: open colour and monochrome, and "Portrait & Body" (PIDC). All three themes had photos accepted, but, unusually, this time it was the open colour category that was the most successful, largely due to the Click U judges really like my photo "Ohanapecosh 215." I don't blame them, of course--it's a favorite of mine as well!

Here's a summary of the results, from six judgings:

• "Ohanapecosh 215" (Open Colour PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022, accepted in five judgings, one of which awarded a Circuit Bronze Medal
• "Gothic Sundial" (Portrait & Body PIDC), Psychopomp, Seattle, October 2012, accepted in three judgings
• "Calico" (Portrait & Body PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019, accepted in three judgings
• "Nook" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018, accepted in two judgings
• "360 Degree View" (Open Colour PIDC), Spencer Parks, Cascades Mountains, July 2016, accepted (for the first time) in one judging
• "Light in the darkness" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Mikki Marvel, Seattle, July 2016, accepted in one judging

Ohanapecosh 215 (Open Colour PIDC): Accepted x5 including Bronze Medal Gothic Sundial (Portrait & Body PIDC): Accepted x3 Calico (Portrait & Body PIDC) Nook (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted x2 360 degree view (Open Colour PIDC): Accepted Light in the darkness (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted

But this is going to be a good one. We shot at a Peerspace rental in Fremont that had three rooms to choose from. We shot in two of them, the "jungle room" featuring lots of green plants and wallpaper and the "powder room" outfitted as a drawing room with more of a pink color scheme. Both had massive windows that brought light in through sheer curtains. It was a cloudy day, so the light was relatively dim, but also very even, and the resulting natural light portraits are fantastic.

We primarily shot boudoir and figure nudes, though we ended with a set in which Foxglove was dressed in a pink Shibari karada (one of the best I've ever tied, honestly) -- still not exactly erotic, but slightly more so than the more portrait-style images of the rest of the set.

Here's an in-progress screen shot to show you just how fantastic Foxglove's images look.

I'm also experimenting with a new tool that so far I'm really liking: a Colorchecker card, which allows me to build a color profile specific to my camera and the lighting conditions. The above image is with the profile applied. Here's what the image would have looked like without the Colorchecker profile, along with a split-screen comparison and close-up. You can see the differences especially in the skin, and to a lesser extent in the greenery and background. The colors are brighter, with more contrast; the effect is subtle but real. I like it.

The Colorchecker card that works with software to build the custom profile looks like this:

Given family gatherings over the next few days, it's likely Foxglove's set won't be finished till after Christmas. I'll share more with you then.

In this case, all four of my Landscape (PIDC) submissions were accepted in at least one of the four judgings, seven acceptances all told, including one (actually captured during my photo session with Invy Rose this August) that was awarded an AFI Diploma. Figurative photos were panned in the Open Monochrome category, but then, non-figurative photos were also ignored in the Open Color category. Two of my figurative photos in the "Backlight" (PIDC) special category were accepted:

• "Framed by Light I" (Backlight PIDC), DianaJean, Amanda Park, Washington, July 2016: accepted in two judgings; and
• "Dance in the Light" (Backlight PIDC), Dominique Zuniga, Valey of Fire, March 2016: accepted in one judging.

Framed by light I (Backlight PIDC) (Accepted x2)Framed by Light I
6I8A8543 (4/3/2021)
7/24/2016
DianaJean
Amanda Park, Washington

2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Vidin, Pazardzhik, and Paracin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC), as "Framed by Light": Master of Light Gold Medal at Vidin; Master of Light Honorable Mention at both Pazardzhik and Paracin
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro) (Shadowhunter PID): Accepted
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Light and Shadows PIDC): IAAP Silver Medal Dance in the light (Backlight PIDC) (Accepted)Dance in the Light
6I8A3527 (2/24/2021)
3/21/2016
Dominique Zuniga
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online), "Human Nature": Exhibited online
2021-04-05 Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery (online), "Figurative", as "Dance for the Earth": Exhibited with Special Recognition

I wonder if success with figurative photographs can be correlated to the percentage of Roman Catholic (e.g. Ireland) or Muslim population, with their more conservative views on nudity? It would take a much larger sample than this, of course. And of course it's only fair to note that none of my Open Colour photos were accepted, even though (anticipating conservative judges) I didn't submit anything figurative in that category.

Anyway, here are the results of my figurative images, of which I submitted eight in the Woman (PIDC) and Open Monochrome (PIDM) categories:

• "As above, so below" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Lior Allay, Seattle, March 2019: Accepted in Ireland and Montenegro
• "Godiva in the evening" (Woman PIDC), Stella Luceat (at that time going by Courtney Appleseed), Bend, Oregon, September 2014: Accepted in Montenegro and Serbia
• "Exclusive" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019: Accepted in Montenegro

As above, so below (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x2) Godiva in the evening (Woman PIDC) (Accepted x2)Godiva in the Evening
6I8A5669 (5/1/2021)
9/14/2014
Courtney Appleseed (AKA Stella Luceat)
Bend, Oregon

2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Open Color PIDC): Exhibited virtually Exclusive (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

I'll start with the Chromatic Awards, a pleasant surprise to actually win some recognition for one of my color photos, which seems to be less common than the monochromes. I haven't submitted this photo many places, but maybe I should. And maybe an "Honorable Mention" in the Amateur Nude category isn't the best award I could have received, but it's one of a limited number chosen, and the company looks great.

This is "Me and my shadow," featuring Lillias Right at dawn on the Seattle waterfront in July 2016.

Me and my shadow (Honorable Mention)

• "Portend" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Certificate of Merit, Leo Velo, Seattle, February 2016 (4 of 6 judgings)
• "States of Matter" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019 (3 of 6 judgings)
• "The Bridge" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Silver Falls, March 2022 (3 of 6 judgings)
• "Earth, Water and Fire" (Open Color PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022 (2 of 6 judgings)
• "The world comes apart" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, (1 of 6 judgings)
  Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) States of matter (Open Monochrome PIDM) The bridge (Open Monochrome PIDM) Earth, Water and Fire (Open Color PIDC) The world comes apart (Open Monochrome PIDM)

Exclusive (Exhibited, Honorable Mention)

Well, I'm back! Another of my photos has been accepted for the 2023 version of the same show, "Figure That: 5th Annual Portraiture and Figurative Art Juried Exhibition." I submitted three photos; the one that was accepted was "Exclusive," with Marzipanned at Frink Park in Seattle in January 2019, and a photo I've really come to love. I think the selection of medal winners comes later, so we'll see how this photo does--I have no expectations that lightning will strike twice with another gold medal, but you never know. Maybe it'll sell this time!

As usual, I wish I could be in Fort Collins to see it, but if anyone reading this is near there, stop by and send me a photo! The exhibit runs from January 20 to February 17, 2023.

Of course, that's no guarantee that the judges will even give it a second look. But there's a lot of satisfaction in curating a set of images that feel to yourself very strong, cohesive, and on-theme.

Here is my entry for All About Photo's Call for Entries on the theme of "Women." Of course, this has been a favorite theme of mine for a long time, but I think this set of six images really captures a lot of what's strongest about my art. From my own perspective. Now we'll see what the judges think!

FeathersFeathers
6I8A6385 (2012-09-27)
2021-09-25
Diane
Seattle, Washington

2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (People Color PIDC): Accepted at Cuprija, Serbia and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria Gothic sundial Bad motherBad Mother
6I8A7795 (2014-03-17)
2014-03-01
Leila Deschanel
Seattle, Washington

2015-04-23 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited
2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted, Honorable Mention
2021-10-06 Photo Club Montenegro (Montenegro) (Woman PIDC): Accepted
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Croatia and Serbia): Accepted Lilith and Eve Lean on meLean on me
6I8A2592 (2017-09-13)
2017-06-19
Cyndical and Lior Allay
Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington

2018-03-24 1650 Gallery (Los Angeles, California), "Together": Exhibited
2019-04-26 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited and Sold
2019-05-01 Black Box Gallery (Portland, Oregon), "Portraiture: Through the Lens": Exhibited
2019-10-26 Verum Ultimum (Portland, Oregon), "Chasing Ghosts IV": Exhibited
2020-04-03 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missouri), "Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2020-09-25 International Festival of Erotic Arts (online, based in Barcelona, Spain): Exhibited online, online symposium presenter
2021-03-01 118 Online Art Gallery (online), "When She Rises, We all Rise": Exhibited online
2021-03-08 Bifarin.com (online), "Diversia: Woman 2021": Exhibited online
2021-07-03 The Studio Door (San Diego, California), "Proud+ 2021": Exhibited
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (People Mono PIDM): Accepted
2021-1-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Malta): Accepted Exclusive

1. "Feathers," Diane, Seattle, September 2012.
2. "Gothic sundial," Psychopomp, Seattle, October 2012.
3. "Bad mother," Leila Deschanel, Seattle, March 2014.
4. "Lilith and Eve," Vex Voir and Katlyn Lacoste, Seattle, June 2017.
5. "Lean on me," Cyndical and Lior Allay, Seattle, June 2017.
6. "Exclusive," Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019.

Here are the winners of last year's similarly-themed gallery.

I should hear the results about February 3, 2023. Winning entries will be published in Issue 29 of AAP Magazine.

Case in point: When I submitted photos to Dirty Show 23 (AKA Dirty Detroit), I thought I had a couple of real winners in the erotic art category, from an excellent studio session with Gin & Ginger that included a couple of really cool high concept bondage scenes. I almost sent three photos from that one session, but then, at the last minute, thought well.... maybe I should include something different, just in case. I went with "Flight," an urban nude featuring Abi Blue last year in downtown Seattle, a photo I personally really love but which I had guessed would be less interesting to the Detroit judges.

Flight (Exhibited) Guess which one got picked?

Yup, "Flight." The other two were passed over, cool concepts and all.

I guess the lesson here is to submit as wide a range of possible themes and styles as possible, since you never know what the judges will be looking for.

And maybe--just speculating--the reason this photo got picked might be because everyone else was submitting high concept studio photos, and they wanted some diversity in their choice of images.

Regardless, I'm thrilled to be part of the show, and thrilled that this image, which I am so proud of, will be featured! I've already ordered a framed and matted print to forward on to the Festival. Maybe I'll even get lucky and it'll sell!

If you're in Detroit, check out Dirty Show 23 from February 10 to 18. Sure would be fun to be there in person, but I don't see how that's possible. Good thing our own Seattle Erotic Art Festival is coming up!

Meanwhile, in other good news, I'll be adding another nation to my list of exhibitions. Yes, one of my submissions was accepted at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography, for their International Monochrome exhibit starting January 6, 2023! Unfortunately, the rules of the exhibition prohibit me from announcing which photo it is until the exhibit begins, so watch for that announcement in about a month. Suffice it to say that I'm pleased with the selection and, again, wish that my travel budget was no object, so that I could see it in person, and do some photo shoots in the magnificent landscapes of Scotland!

From the Call for Entries:

Objects of Agency addresses the health care crisis which has recently culminated in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and stripped thousands of people of the right to bodily autonomy.

The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate among other similarly developed countries. According to the University of Colorado, due to the Dobbs decision, maternal mortality rates are projected to go up 14%. For women of color, it is 20%. Simply due to women’s health care becoming more restrictive and less accessible.

When “abortion” is typed into a Google search, the first page that comes up is a misleading website filled with fear slogans and misinformation to prevent women from seeking necessary and viable health care options. A recent research study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate showed that in many right wing states, 1/10 Google search results for abortion services lead to anti-abortion fake clinics. When abortion is typed into Instagram, the first hashtag is #abortionisevil. 

So, what do we do? How can we use our creative voices to counteract misinformation and false advertising and provide viable discourse and inspiration? 

At Hera Gallery, we invite you to fight, cry, rage, and make art. We invite you to connect with others through creative expression in hopes that it brings a sense of insight, or deep feeling, beauty, education, perseverance, protest, connection and/or community. We invite you to share your voice through the virtual exhibition Objects of Agency. 

Objects of Agency is looking for 53 works which speak to abortion rights in the United States. The virtual exhibition will take place over the 52 weeks of 2023. All selected works will be on virtual display throughout the duration of the exhibition on heragallery.org.  Each week, Hera Gallery will choose one featured artist and artwork from the exhibition to represent the current tribulations and inspirations of the current state of women’s health care in America. Featured artists will be posted on all social media accounts. Objects of Agency aims to stimulate, educate, and encourage abortion care. It aims to challenge the anti-abortion campaigns and false information which dominate the internet. It aims to provide access to factual information and ultimately to create a platform and a network to share the voices, choices, and stories of all women and female identifying persons.

The call for entries closes December 17. There's no listed date of notification, but high resolution images have to be delivered by January 3, so I expect the turnaround time will be pretty quick. Here are my five entries:

Exclusive Lean on meLean on me
6I8A2592 (2017-09-13)
2017-06-19
Cyndical and Lior Allay
Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington

2018-03-24 1650 Gallery (Los Angeles, California), "Together": Exhibited
2019-04-26 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited and Sold
2019-05-01 Black Box Gallery (Portland, Oregon), "Portraiture: Through the Lens": Exhibited
2019-10-26 Verum Ultimum (Portland, Oregon), "Chasing Ghosts IV": Exhibited
2020-04-03 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missouri), "Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2020-09-25 International Festival of Erotic Arts (online, based in Barcelona, Spain): Exhibited online, online symposium presenter
2021-03-01 118 Online Art Gallery (online), "When She Rises, We all Rise": Exhibited online
2021-03-08 Bifarin.com (online), "Diversia: Woman 2021": Exhibited online
2021-07-03 The Studio Door (San Diego, California), "Proud+ 2021": Exhibited
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (People Mono PIDM): Accepted
2021-1-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Malta): Accepted Proof 2 Role ReversalRole Reversal
B75A5311 (01-10-2021)
04-23-2019
Melancholic and Despondent
Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington

2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited, Finalist
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Pazardzhik and Paracin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted
2021-11-12 Knox Contemporary Art Gallery (online exhibition based in Calgary, Alberta), "XPOSED: Naked and Not Afraid": Exhibited online Together

1. "Exclusive," Marzipanned, Frink Park, Seattle, January 2019
2. "Lean on me," Cyndical and Lior Allay, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2017
3. "Proof 2," Lior Allay, Freeway Park, Seattle, March 2019
4. "Role Reversal," Melancholic and Despondent, Discovery Park, Seattle, April 2019
5. "Together," Lior Allay and Cyndical, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2017

The competition looks good -- but honestly, not spectacular.

PSA guidelines say that the acceptance rate for any category should be between 28 and 34%. I've been tracking my entries to PSA competitions in various categories, so I can say approximately how well my photos are doing in comparison to the average. Here's where I stand, for categories in which I've submitted at least 50 photos (to provide a good sample size):

1. Nude (116 photos): 37.9% (18 awards, 15.5%)
2. Photojournalism (64 photos): 37.5% (4 awards, 6.3%)
3. Open Monochrome (408 photos): 35.3% (12 awards, 2.9%)
4. Open Color (425 photos): 26.4% (7 awards, 1.6%)
5. Woman (120 photos): 22.5% (6 awards, 5.0%)
6. Portrait (68 photos): 22.1% (2 awards, 2.9%)
7. Travel (139 photos): 16.5% (0 awards)
8. Nature (262 photos): 16.4% (9 awards, 3.4%)

In short: My nude images are highly successful, both in their rate of acceptance and the percentage of those acceptances that win awards. Photojournalism is surprisingly close behind on acceptances, and also performs well in awards. I've felt like I don't have many PJD images to submit, but maybe I should rethink that. Open Monochrome also performs ahead of the averages, though with a modest rate of award winners.

My color photos are performing less well than average, which shows where I need to grow artistically. I've always thought I did well in the "woman" category, but clearly that's not borne out by the acceptance data, though I've done a decent job winning awards. The portrait category I'm aware is a weakness (though slightly better as "Portrait and Body" with 12 of 48), and travel and nature as well, which is why I don't enter those categories much any more unless I can do so at no extra cost. I have a surprising number of awards in the nature category, but that (and the acceptances, really) is thanks to just a few good images.

Statistics are fun!

And also just for fun, here are my most successful images in the figurative categories above:

1. Nude: "Rest and Upheaval," Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018: No surprise! An 11 out of 13 acceptance rate, including a gold medal, silver medal, two bronze medals, Judge's Choice, Diploma, Ribbon, and Certificate! In the color nude category, the top choice is "Framed by Light I," with 4 out of 7 and a gold medal, bronze medal, and two Honorable Mentions.
   Rest and Upheaval (2018)Rest and Upheaval
   6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
   07-31-2018
   Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
   2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
   2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
   2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
   2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missouri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
   2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
   2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
   2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
   2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
   2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
   2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal
   2022-02-19 to 03-12 House of Shadows Creative Gallery & Market (Tampa, Florida), "XPlicit IV: Erotic Art": Exhibited and Sold
   2022-01-15 Man and Work (Zajecar, Serbia) (Free Monochrome PIDM): FIAP Honorable Mention
   2022-03-21 Artistic Creations Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): PSA Gold Medal
   2022-05-15 PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris (Amateur Nude, series): Honorable Mention
   2022-09-12 CAS Photo Academy (India) (Monochrome): Merit Medal Award
   2022-10-25 Bosnia (Open Monochrome): Salon Diploma
   2022-11-20 ND Photo Awards (ndawards.net) (Non-Professional Fine-Art Nudes): Honorable Mention
   2022-11-26 Black and White Spider Awards (Beverly Hills, CA) (Amateur Nude): Nomination
   2023-01-06 to 31 The Glasgow Gallery of Photography (Glasgow, Scotland) (International Photography Exhibition: Monochrome): Exhibited
   2023-01-17 Dodho Magazine (Barcelona, Spain) Nude Photography Awards: Best Images (top 25, "published in the book 'NUDE' to be released next February" and "exhibited for a year in our online gallery"
   2023-04-21 to 23 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited Framed by Light I (2016)Framed by Light I
   6I8A8543 (4/3/2021)
   7/24/2016
   DianaJean
   Amanda Park, Washington
   2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Vidin, Pazardzhik, and Paracin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC), as "Framed by Light": Master of Light Gold Medal at Vidin; Master of Light Honorable Mention at both Pazardzhik and Paracin
   2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro) (Shadowhunter PID): Accepted
   2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Light and Shadows PIDC): IAAP Silver Medal
   2021-12-19 Chromatic Awards (Online) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention
   2022-02-15 Photo Salon Kicevo (North Macedonia) (Light and Shadows PIDC): Accepted
   2022-04-24 Pirin Salon (Pirin, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal
   2022-10-01 Balkan Circuit (Aleksinak, Novi Sad and Ruma, Serbia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-12-05 Trofeu Pell (Spain) (Backlight PIDC): Accepted in 2 of 4 judgings
2. Open Monochrome: "Shasta II," Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017: Accepted in 13 of 19 entries. No awards, oddly, but just consistently high scores. My most awarded image is, as in the nude category, "Rest and Upheaval," alongside several others from that same photo shoot that are also popular with the judges.
   Shasta II (2017)Shasta II
   6I8A6319 (3-16-2020)
   08-22-2017
   Shasta Wonder
   Lynnwood, Washington
   2021-11-20 Vidin Spring Circuit (Bulgaria and Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM), as "Shasta": Accepted; Salon Gold Medal in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
   2022-01-30 Unlimited Photo (Podgorica, Montenegro) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
   2022-02-15 WSP Hungary (Budapest, Hungary) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
   2022-03-21 Artistic Creations Circuit (India) (Open Monochrome): Accepted
   2022-09-11 Photo Story (North Macedonia) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
   2022-10-03 Varadinum (Romania) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted
   2022-10-15 Aesthetic Vision (India) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted in 5 of 6 judgings
   2022-11-06 Art Life (North Macedonia) (Open Monochrome): Accepted
3. Open Color: "Isaac's Angel," Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, June 2017: Accepted in 14 of 20 entries. Awarded a Judge's Choice and two Merit Awards.
   Jacob's Angel (2017)Isaac's Angel
   6I8A9798 (1/26/2019)
   6/8/2017
   Vex Voir
   Interlaken Park, Seattle, Washington
   2022-01-15 Full Frame International Salon (Mumbai, India) (Nature ND): Accepted
   2022-01-15 Man and Work (Zajecar, Serbia) (Free Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-02-20 Gold Shadow Exhibition (Cuprija, Serbia) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-03-01 Onyx Salon (Romania) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-04-01 Tower Circuit (Kula, Novi Sad, Aleksinac, Ruma, and Vrbas) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-06-27 Lanki (Sri Lanka) (Open Color PIDC): Judge's Choice in one of three judgings
   2022-09-12 CAS Photo Academy (India) (Colour PIDC): Accepted
   2022-10-10 Photo Fest Bitola (North Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
   2022-10-10 Bengal Super Circuit (India) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted in 3 of 5 judgings; Merit Award in two of them
   2023-02-07 Art Show International (Online) (Figurative) (As "Jacob's Angel"): Talent Award ($25) (equivalent of 4th place, below 1st, Runner-up, and Merit but above Honorable Mention)
   2023-04-14 to 16 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Auburn, NY) (as Jacob's Angel): Digital exhibition
4. Woman: "Tristen Draped," Tristen, Seattle, October 2010: Accepted in 6 of 12 entries and awarded a silver medal and Honorable Mention. Monochrome images are too rare in this category to mention.
   Tristen Draped (2010)Tristen Draped
   6I8A3256 (10/3/2010)
   10/2/2010
   Tristen
   Seattle, Washington
   2022-01-30 Magic Life International Contest of Art Photography (Yenişehir-Mersin, Turkey) (Woman PIDC): Club Silver Medal
   2022-03-10 MNE PBK Circuit (Kotor, Montenegro) (Woman Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-05-01 DPW Four Country Circuit (Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia) (Woman PIDC): Accepted; Salon Honorable Mention in Croatia
   2022-10-15 FKA Autumn Circuit (Kula, Serbia) (Woman PIDC): Accepted
5. Portrait: "You have no power over me," Bowie Monroe, Bellevue, September 2018: Accepted in 4 of 6. In the color variation, "Diane" (Seattle, September 2012) is close behind with 3 of 5.
   You have no power over me (2018)You have no power over me
   6I8A8303 (2018-09-10)
   2018-09-01
   Bowie Monroe
   Bellevue, Washington
   2021-05-01 Black Box Gallery (Portland, Oregon), "Focus: Portraiture": Exhibited
   2021-06-19 Praxis Photo Arts Center (Minneapolis, Minnesota), "Femalia": Exhibited
   2021-10-13 Shadowhunter Circuit (Portrait PIDC) (Croatia, Malta and Serbia): Accepted
   2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Portraiture PIDC) (Kolkata, India): Accepted
   2022-04-29 to 30 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Auburn, New York): Digital exhibition
   2022-06-10 to 07-21 A Smith Gallery ("she") (Johnson City, Texas): Exhibited Diane (2012)Diane
   6I8A6460 (2021-09-27)
   2021-09-25
   Diane
   Seattle, Washington
   2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted at Cuprija, Serbia and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria and awarded a Salon Honorable Mention at both
   2022-01-30 Magic Life International Contest of Art Photography (Yenişehir-Mersin, Turkey) (Woman PIDC): Accepted
   2022-02-15 WSP Hungary (Budapest, Hungary) (Portrait PIDC): Accepted
   2022-04-24 Pirin Salon (Pirin, Bulgari) (Open Color): Accepted
   2022-08-22 Suvarna (India) (Portrait PIDC): Accepted
   2022-08-28 Gold Camera (Montenegro) (Open Color PIDC): Accepted
   2022-10-10 Photo Fest Bitola (North Macedonia) (Portrait PIDC): Accepted

Winners this round include:

No neighbors (Nude PIDC) (Accepted) Lilith and Eve (Nude PIDC) (Accepted) Lady of the Lake (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Calico (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Cardinal sins (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Cardinal Sins
B75A9622 (05-19-2019)
03-15-2019
Lior Allay
Gas Works Park, Seattle, Washington

2021-05-18 Photoshoot Awards (online contest), "Nude2021": Finalist Center of the storm (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
6I8A5285 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention Shasta II (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Shasta II
6I8A6319 (3-16-2020)
08-22-2017
Shasta Wonder
Lynnwood, Washington

2021-11-20 Vidin Spring Circuit (Bulgaria and Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM), as "Shasta": Accepted; Salon Gold Medal in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

1. "No neighbors" (Nude PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, March 2022: a variation on a similar image that has also been popular
2. "Lilith and Eve" (Nude PIDC), Vex Voir and Katlyn Lacoste, June 2017
3. "Lady of the Lake" (Open Color PIDC), a first-time winner by Ronin- at Eunice Lake in August 2022
4. "Calico" (Open Color PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019
5. "Cardinal sins" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Lior Allay, Gas Works Park, March 2019
6. "Center of the storm" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
7. "Shasta II" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017

By the way, Shasta Wonder seems to have dropped off social media; even her website is unresponsive. I assume she's just stopped modeling, a loss for the art world (but her own choice of course). I hope that's all it is.

Dirty Show 23 is the first deadline this year, due December 1, with a quick turnaround on the decision by December 7. The festival is February 10-18.

I love being able to submit photos without having to worry about self-censoring. And I have a couple of great options this year! Decided to go with two explicitly erotic images and, to mix things up, a third more in my more typical figurative theme. Detroit only allows three entries, and they have to be photos made in 2020-2022, so, only recent images. Here are my three entries: two from a fantastic studio session with Gin and Ginger this year, and the third, an urban nude with Abi Blue last summer.

Close Shave Full Service Bar Flight (Exhibited)

1. "Close Shave"
2. "Full Service Bar"
3. "Flight"

I submitted entries for four different PSA contests due during the month of November. I'll share a sample image submitted to each one, just for the fun of it:

• Art Life (North Macedonia): Open Color, Open Monochrome, and Nude! So few contests have a nude theme, so how could I resist this one? Here's a new variation on a photo that's already been successful in other contests -- I call this one "No neighbors." It's Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh this March:
  No neighbors (Nude PIDC) (Accepted)
• Three Country Circuit (Republic of Ireland): Open Colour, Woman, Landscape, Life, Open Monochrome, and Photojournalism. This is "Lady of the Lake," which you'll recognize a Ronin- at Eunice Lake this August:
  Lady of the Lake (Woman PIDC)
• Six Seasons (India): Nature, Open Colour, and Open Monochrome. Here's one from the latter category--another one with Katlyn Lacoste this March, on the trail bridge at Silver Falls, called "The Bridge":
  The bridge (Open Monochrome PIDM)
• ClickU (India): Open Colour, Open Monochrome, Portrait & Body. Here's one from the Open Colour category, with Spencer Parks in the Cascades Mountains in July 2016, that I call "360 degree view":
  360 degree view (Open Colour PIDC): Accepted

I've also submitted photos to two different gallery exhibitions. The International Photography Exhibition is a Monochrome gallery in Glasgow, Scotland. I guess this is actually an online show, given that it's international. I entered eight photos. This one is called "Dance for the Earth"; it's Haven Model in Mount Rainier National Park in August 2018:

2

And this is from my entry for "Figure That" at 3 Square Art in Fort Collins, Colorado, which exhibited two of my photos last year. Out of three submitted photos, this one is "Exclusive," with Marzipanned in Seattle's Frink Park, January 2019:

Exclusive (Exhibited, Honorable Mention)

I can expect results from Glasgow about November 26... Art Life about November 30... Three County Circuit, December 15... 3 Square Art, December 17... Six Seasons on New Year's Eve... and ClickU on Christmas day.

I have no idea if ND Photo Awards is a reputable organization. But it is nice to be given an award.

Here's ND's Honorable Mentions page, and, if you're interested, their page of higher awards. There's some nice photography here to be in the company of.

Rest and Upheaval (Honorable Mention)Rest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal

Anyway, this brings me a whole passel of fancy digital certificates along with bragging rights and a lot of pretty pictures in the eventual salon catalog. I'll look forward to that. Here's a preview:

• "Bad Mother" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Leila Deschanel, Seattle, May 2014: two Honorable Mentions for a perennial favorite
• "Vantage" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016: three acceptances and an Honorable Mention for an image that is rising rapidly up the list of my most successful images
• "Kimber" (Portrait PIDC), Kimber Collins, Puyallup, March 2012: Honorable Mention and a first-time acceptance for an image I've personally been partial to from the beginning
• "Vernal Light" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019: Honorable Mention for a photo of someone who is either a woman, man, or child
• "Tristen Draped" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Tristen, Seattle, October 2011: Honorable Mention for an image a woman with child
• "Godiva in the evening" (Open Color PIDC), Courtney Appleseed AKA Stella Luceat, Bend, September 2014: a personal favorite but merely accepted without an award, not complaining
• "Flight" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Abi Blue, Seattle, June 2021: Accepted... I really love this photo and hope it earns awards someday too
• "Symmetry" (Woman Man Child PIDC), Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2018: Accepted. Definitely a "woman."

Bad Mother (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Honorable Mention x2)Bad Mother
6I8A7795 (2014-03-17)
2014-03-01
Leila Deschanel
Seattle, Washington

2015-04-23 Seattle Erotic Art Festival (Seattle, Washington): Exhibited
2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted, Honorable Mention
2021-10-06 Photo Club Montenegro (Montenegro) (Woman PIDC): Accepted
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Croatia and Serbia): Accepted Vantage (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x3, Honorable Mention) Kimber (Portrait PIDC) (Honorable Mention) Vernal light (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Honorable Mention) Tristen draped (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Accepted) Godiva in the evening (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)Godiva in the Evening
6I8A5669 (5/1/2021)
9/14/2014
Courtney Appleseed (AKA Stella Luceat)
Bend, Oregon

2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Open Color PIDC): Exhibited virtually Flight (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Symmetry (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Accepted)

• "Rest and Upheaval" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018: Salon Diploma for an oft-awarded photo
• "Dance in the light" (Woman PIDC), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
• "Classic" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Invy Rose, Puyallup, Washington, October 2011: an older photo receiving recognition for the first time
• "Winthrop Glacier" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Third Burroughs, Mount Rainier National Park, August 2021: a black and white version of an image that has previously been accepted in color
• "Leo, hooded" (Portrait PIDM), Leo Velo, Eatonville, Washington, January 2020

Rest and Upheaval (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Salon Diploma)Rest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal Classic (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Dance in the light (Woman PIDC) (Accepted)Dance in the Light
6I8A3527 (2/24/2021)
3/21/2016
Dominique Zuniga
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online), "Human Nature": Exhibited online
2021-04-05 Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery (online), "Figurative", as "Dance for the Earth": Exhibited with Special Recognition Winthrop Glacier (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Leo hooded (Portrait PIDM) (Accepted)

Anyway, the results are decent; three judgings and three categories entered (open mono and color, photojournalism), ten acceptances all told, and one photo ("Asunder") receiving Merit Medals from two judges.

The full skinny on five figurative images:

• "Asunder" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018: Accepted in all three salons; Merit Medals in Salons 1 and 2
• "Duty Station" (Open Color PIDC), Spencer Parks, Cascades Mountains, July 2016: Accepted in Salon 1
• "Last Light" (Open Monochrome PIDM), DianaJean, Upper Crystal Lake, July 2015: Accepted in Salon 1
• "Evergreen" (Open Color PIDC), HaileyJ, Seattle, April 2016: Accepted in Salon 2
• "Flight" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Abi Blue, Seattle, June 2021: Accepted in Salon 2

Asunder (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x3, Merit Medal x2) Duty Station (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted) Last Light (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Last Light
6I8A8293 (2/24/2021)
7/29/2015
DianaJean
Upper Crystal Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online) "Human Nature": Exhibited virtually Evergreen (Open Colour PIDC) (Accepted) Flight (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

• "Isaac's Angel" (Open Color PIDC), Two BSC Merit Awards, Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, June 2017 (3 of 5 judgings)
• "Primal" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016 (4 of 5 judgings)
• "Skyline" (Open Color PIDC), Zoe West, Seattle, June 2015 (3 of 5 judgings)
• "Shelter" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, July 2018 (3 of 5 judgings)
• "Calico" (Open Color PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019 (3 of 5 judgings)
• "Off Season" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022 (2 of 5 judgings)
• "Vernal Light" (Open Color PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019 (1 of 5 judgings)
• "Vex rising" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, June 2017 (1 of 5 judgings)
  Isaac's Angel (Color PIDC) (Accepted x3, Merit Award x2) Vantage (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4) Skyline (Color PIDC) (Accepted x3) Shelter (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x3) Calico (Color PIDC) (Accepted x4) Off season (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x2) Vernal light (Color PIDC) (Accepted) Vex rising (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

You say that I amYou Say That I Am II
B75A0408 (10-12-2020)
03-15-2019
Lior Allay
Freeway Park, Seattle, Washington

2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Open Monochrome PIDM): Accepted

It's frustrating when an exhibition does not make their requirements clear from the outset.

Case in point: "It's Uter-us, Not Uter-you!" by Womenswork.art. I suppose I should have guessed from the name of the gallery that entries to their exhibition would be limited to "Women, Femme or non-binary artists," but the call for entry did not say that anywhere. What it said was that the show "will be a special online exhibition to fundraise and raise awareness for reproductive rights in the United States as a response to the recent overturning of Roe V Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court and the state of reproductive rights and body autonomy in American society." That's a topic I support passionately, and for which I actually have (I think) some pretty relevant art.

Don't get me wrong: I am absolutely OK with an exhibition being limited to a certain subset of artists who can speak to their own issues. The whole point of this one is, as it turns out, for women to speak for themselves. I've seen similar limits on exhibitions that speak to the experience of people of color, or members of the LGBTQ community. Those of us who are allies have important things to say... but there is a time and place for stepping back and deferring to those whose literal skin is in the game.

Exclusive What frustrates me is when this isn't made clear in the announcement. In this case, it's only after you click "Apply" that you get the message saying don't go any further unless... Which, if it had been said sooner, means I would have respectfully moved on, rather than spending time to sort through my image collection looking for art to submit, only to find out when I was ready to enter that I wasn't actually qualified.

Oh well. I'll get over it, and there's probably a good metaphor here about the experience of women in our society. In fact, one of the images I was going to submit literally depicts a woman being locked out of a space labeled for men only.

Role ReversalRole Reversal
B75A5311 (01-10-2021)
04-23-2019
Melancholic and Despondent
Discovery Park, Seattle, Washington

2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited, Finalist
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Pazardzhik and Paracin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted
2021-11-12 Knox Contemporary Art Gallery (online exhibition based in Calgary, Alberta), "XPOSED: Naked and Not Afraid": Exhibited online And again, it's not being unable to submit that bothers me--only that the exhibition wasn't clearly labeled as such.

So here are the three photos I would have submitted, if I had been able. I'm a uter-you, not a uter-us; but I support with all my being the right to agency and self-determination in all matters, including healthcare, by those who do possess a uterus.

Which makes this a good time to remind you that whether you possess one or not, please, VOTE.

Pictured (from the top): "You Say That I am," with Lior Allay, a non-binary artist and model, in Seattle's Freeway Park, March 2019; "Exclusive," with Marzipanned, in Seattle's Frink Park, January 2019; and "Role Reversal," with Melancholic and Despondent in Seattle's Discovery Park in April 2019.

Lots to report on. Let's kick it off with:

Light in the darkness (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Club Silver, Accepted x5) Lilith and Eve (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x5) Shasta II (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x5)Shasta II
6I8A6319 (3-16-2020)
08-22-2017
Shasta Wonder
Lynnwood, Washington

2021-11-20 Vidin Spring Circuit (Bulgaria and Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM), as "Shasta": Accepted; Salon Gold Medal in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

1. "Light in the darkness," Mikki Marvel, downtown Seattle, July 2016: Silver Medal! And accepted in 5 of 6 judgings. I submitted this photo twice before -- in a "Shadows" special theme and, in its color version, in a "Woman" theme; neither were successful, though both came close in their scoring. I'm pleased -- I really like this image, especially in its color version. I like the symmetry and symbolism of it, with "light" representing both the literal light on the top of the Alaska Building in the background and in the alleyway, and figuratively the naturalness of the human body in its unclothed state.
2. "Lilith and Eve," Vex Voir and Katlyn Lacoste, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017: accepted in 5 of 6 judgings. I've submitted this photo a lot of places and it's gratifying to see it finally succeed somewhere, because I absolutely love this photo too. I like the figurative references, both in the title and imagery, to the Garden of Eden, and I like the subtle touch of fading to black and white around the edges, as if the Garden and the naturalness it represents is surrounded by something less vibrant. It's a similar theme to the previous image, actually.
3. "Shasta II," Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017: accepted in 5 of 6 judgings. Just a simple figure study. I'm really pleased by how well this set of images has done over the years, given that it's nothing more than the raw talent of Shasta as a model posed against a textured white kitchen wall in natural light.
   Cardinal Sins (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4)Cardinal Sins
   B75A9622 (05-19-2019)
   03-15-2019
   Lior Allay
   Gas Works Park, Seattle, Washington
   
   2021-05-18 Photoshoot Awards (online contest), "Nude2021": Finalist On the rocks (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4)On the Rocks
   B75A7166 (05-01-2021)
   07-16-2019
   Bunny Luna
   Pinnacle Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
   
   2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija, Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted
4. "Cardinal Sins," Lior Allay, Gas Works Park, Seattle, March 2019: accepted in 4 of 6 judgings. Another variation on my favorite theme, this time reversing the concept and metaphorically showing the natural nude human body in conflict with the modern urbanized world. Lior is such an amazing artist and conveyed so much emotion in this set of images, made at dawn on a late-winter day. The title is a visual pun based on the bas-relief sculpture of cardinal directions at the top of the hill, and society's assessment of the natural human body as sinful.
5. "On the rocks," Bunny Luna, Pinnacle Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, July 2019. Accepted in 4 of 6 judgings. Another simple figure study, with an interesting composition on the granodioritic rock of the Tatoosh Range. Interesting features include the visible scuff-marks on Bunny's torso from earlier in the photoshoot, and, if you zoom in, a mosquito sampling their left breast. I probably should have edited out both, but it also makes for an interesting image.
   Earth, Water and Fire (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x3) Clay (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)
6. "Earth, Wind and Fire," Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, Mount Rainier National Park, March 2022. Accepted in 3 of 6 judgings. I love this location, I love this pose, and I especially love the combination of the two. It's both natural and surreal at the same time. And the colors are not enhanced in any way -- the water really is this blue-green. And Katlyn really is this fire.
7. "Clay," Katlyn Lacoste, Shriner Peak, Mount Rainier National Park, September 2020. Accepted in 1 of 6 judgings. The least "successful" of my accepted images from a judging standpoint, but I love this image nonetheless. For one thing, we worked damn hard to get to the top of this peak for a sunset photoshoot. And Katlyn's ability to effortlessly create sculptures with her body is why I titled this one "Clay."

The single acceptance outside the open categories was in Photo Travel. Just one acceptance out of 24 possibilities. Ouch. And in the nature category, none at all. Double ouch. Overall I think it's become clear that my skills are not in the specialized fields (nature, travel, and photojournalism) but rather in the more general artistic realm. At least in comparison to other photographers. And I'm OK with that. It's good to know. I won't waste my money entering those categories in the future (though I'll still contribute if I can do so with no additional cost).

Let's talk photos! Here are the eight figure nude photos accepted by the Balkan Circuit:

1. "Den lille havfrue": accepted at Novi Sad, Ruma and Vrbas, and received Salon Honorable Mention awards at Novi Sad and Vrbas! Queen Dandelion's work at Rialto Beach in July 2018 continues to excel.
2. "Ohanapecosh 215": accepted at Aleksinac, Novi Sad, and Vrbas, and received a Salon Honorable Mention at Novi Sad! Katlyn Lacoste is another amazing artist and model, and this photo from March of this year has tremendous promise.
3. "Portend": Leo Velo's portrait from Seattle in February 2016 was accepted at Aleksinac, Novi Sad, Ruma and Vrbas! I'm so pleased that this older photo is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
4. "Framed by Light I": DianaJean at Amanda Park, Washington in July 2016. An reliable favorite that this time was accepted at Aleksinac, Novi Sad, and Ruma.
5. "The world comes apart" is another photo of Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh this March. I love both the color and black & white versions of this image, and both have been successful. This one was accepted at Novi Sad and Vrbas.
6. "Gothic sundial" is the oldest of this set, from all the way back in October 2012 in Seattle. But I love this image of Psychopomp and am pleased that the judges in Novi Sad and Vrbas liked it too.
7. "A Rose on Mazama Ridge," by contrast, is the newest photo in this list, made with Invy Rose at Mount Rainier National Park this August, and accepted at Vrbas. (Photographed responsibly using Leave No Trace techniques.)
8. "Exclusive" has both color and black & white versions. This was the color version and was accepted at Novi Sad. The model is Marzipanned, photographed in Frink Park in January 2019.

Den lille havfrue (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x3, HM x2) Ohanapecosh 215 (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x3, HM) Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4) Framed by Light I (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x3) The world comes apart (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x2) Gothic Sundial (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x2) A Rose on Mazama Ridge (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Exclusive (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)

Other thoughts: I've been operating under a theory that past levels of accepting figure nude photos is predictive of how successful my own entries will be. I think that's still valid in cases where the acceptance rate is extremely low, though those can often be predicted just by the sponsoring country. This result, though, casts doubt on the predictive power of mid-range acceptance rates. I would have expected only mediocre results rather than the success actually experienced (and recent salons I would have expected good results from have proved disappointing). I guess the lesson is that my theory isn't as predictive as I thought it might be.

• October 1, 2022, Balkan Circuit (2022-534), Serbia, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Den lille havfrue" (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Novi Sad, Ruma and Vrbas), Salon Honorable Mention at Novi Sad and Vrbas, Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, July 2018
  • "Ohanapecosh 215" (Open Color PIDC) (Aleksinac, Novi Sad and Vrbas), Salon Honorable Mention at Novi Sad, Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, Mount Rainier National Park, March 2022
  • "Portend" (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Aleksinac, Novi Sad, Ruma and Vrbas), Seattle, February 2016
  • "Framed by Light I" (Open Color PIDC) (Aleksinac, Novi Sad and Ruma), Amanda Park, Washington, July 2016
  • "The world comes apart" (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Novi Sad and Vrbas), Ohanapecosh, Mount Rainier National Park, March 2022
  • "Gothic Sundial" (Open Color PIDC) (Novi Sad and Vrbas), Psychopomp, Seattle, October 2012
  • "A Rose on Mazama Ridge" (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Vrbas), Invy Rose, Mazama Ridge, Mount Rainier National Park, August 2022
  • "Exclusive" (Open Color PIDC) (Novi Sad), Marzipanned, Frink Park, Seattle, January 2019

Oh well. The art forges on! Here are the four figure nude photos that were accepted:

1. "Gothic Sundial" (Nude PIDC), National Diploma, Psychopomp, Seattle, October 2012
2. "Isaac's Angel" (Nude PIDC), Vex Voir, Interurban Park, Seattle, June 2017
3. "Nook" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
4. "Diane" (Portrait PIDC), Diane, Seattle, September 2012

This is the first time I've submitted "Nook" and the first time it was accepted. That photoshoot on Rialto Beach has turned out to be my most productive one ever. I think everything I've ever submitted from that shoot has been received positively.

Gothic sundial (Nude PIDC) (National Diploma) Diane (Portrait PIDC) (Accepted)Diane
6I8A6460 (2021-09-27)
2021-09-25
Diane
Seattle, Washington

2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted at Cuprija, Serbia and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria and awarded a Salon Honorable Mention at both. Isaac's angel (Nude PIDC) (Accepted) Nook (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

• October 12, 2022, Photo Fest Bitola (2022-511), North Macedonia, Photographic Society Contest
  • Gothic Sundial" (Nude PIDC), National Diploma, Psychopomp, Seattle, October 2012
  • "Isaac's Angel" (Nude PIDC), Vex Voir, Interurban Park, Seattle, June 2017
  • "Nook" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Diane" (Portrait PIDC), Diane, Seattle, September 2012

This one's from Autumn of last year, with Katlyn Lacoste and Jane Air at Gobbler's Knob fire lookout in the southwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park. We made a stop on the way up at Lake George, where we spent some quality time swimming and sunning among the butterflies and dragonflies, then shot against the backdrop of the majestic volcano. I love the combination of these talented models and the epic landscapes of the Mount Rainier wilderness. Here are my favorites for you to enjoy.

Entered:

1. Balkan Circuit, closing October 1, PSA 2022-534 in Serbia. Judging in 5 salons in 3 themes: Nature, Open Color, and Open Monochrome.
   Highlights: entered "A Rose on Mazama Ridge" for the first time -- Invy Rose from August 2022; entered "Portend" for the first time in a PSA contest (it had been accepted at the Seattle Erotic Art Festival in 2017) -- Leo Velo in Seattle, February 2016.
   A Rose on Mazama Ridge (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4)
2. South Asian Circuit, closing October 10, PSA 2022-553 in India. Three judgings, in which I entered Open Colour, Open Monochrome, and Photojournalism themes but skipped Nature and Photo Travel.
   Highlights: entered "Honeymoon" for the first time, featuring Samara Mae in Puyallup from December 2011; and "Last Light" in its black and white version, featuring DianaJean at Crystal Lakes in July 2015.
   Honeymoon (Open Monochrome PIDM) Last Light (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Last Light
   6I8A8293 (2/24/2021)
   7/29/2015
   DianaJean
   Upper Crystal Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
   
   2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online) "Human Nature": Exhibited virtually
3. Photo Fest Bitola, closing October 10, PSA 2022-511 in North Macedonia. One judging, but I entered all 9 themes.
   Highlights: Entered for the first time "Canyon," with Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh in March 2022; "Nook," with Queen Dandelion at Rialto Beach in July 2018; "Spencer on Tolmie Peak," with Spencer Parks in July 2016; "Admonito" with Leo Velo in January 2020; "Skinny dippers at Hidden Lake" with Lily and Haily in August 2022; "Window Dressing" with Lonna Manson in Seattle in April 2017; and "Clay," with Katlyn Lacoste on Shriner Peak in September 2020, in a rare "Nude" theme.
   Canyon (Open Monochrome PIDM) Nook (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Spencer on Tolmie Peak (Open Monochrome PIDM) Admonito (Portrait PIDC) Skinny dippers at Hidden Lake (Life PJD) Window dressing (Lines PIDM) Clay (Nude PIDC)
4. Bengal Super Circuit, closing October 10, PSA 2022-552 in India. 5 judgings, 4 themes.
   Highlights: Entered for the first time, "Primal," featuring Dominique Zuniga at Valley of Fire in March 2016; and "Vex Rising," with Vex Voir at Interlaken Park in June 2017.
   Vantage (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4) Vex rising (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)
5. Aesthetic Vision, closing October 15, PSA 2022-325 in India. 6 judgings, 4 themes.
   Highlights: "Cardinal Sins" entered for the first time in a PSA contest (it was previously a finalist in the online Photoshoot Awards), with Lior Allay at Gas Works Park in Seattle in March 2019; and "Earth, Water and Fire," with Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh in March 2022.
   Cardinal Sins (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted x4)Cardinal Sins
   B75A9622 (05-19-2019)
   03-15-2019
   Lior Allay
   Gas Works Park, Seattle, Washington
   
   2021-05-18 Photoshoot Awards (online contest), "Nude2021": Finalist Earth, Water and Fire (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted x3)
6. FKA Autumn Circuit, closing October 15, PSA 2022-562 in Serbia. 3 judgings, 4 themes.
   Highlights: Entered for the first time, "In the gray," a portrait of Leo Velo in January 2020; "Symmetry," with Shasta Wonder in Lynnwood in August 2017; and "The Kiss," with Gin and Ginger in May 2022.
   In the gray (Portrait PIDC) Symmetry (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Accepted) The kiss (Open Color PIDC)
7. Bosnia salon, closing October 25, PSA 2022-582 in Bosnia and Herzogovina. One judging, in which I entered six of twelve possible themes.
   Highlights: Entered for the first time, "Classic," with Invy Rose in Puyallup in October 2011; and "Lady of the Lake," with Ronin- at Eunice Lake in August 2022. I also entered a lot of newly-edited photos in the Landscapes and Photojournalism themes.
   Classic (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Lady of the Lake (Open Monochrome PIDM)

Anyway, such is art, and I'm happy to be accepted and awarded in any case! Here are the two accepted photos. The second one is "Between Two Firs," with Queen Dandelion at Rialto Beach in July 2018. This is the first time it's been accepted in any contest.

Vantage (Monochrome PIDM) (Salon Bronze) Between Two Firs (Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
6I8A4676 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention

• September 12, 2022, Zodiac Circuit (2022-497), India, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Vantage" (Monochrome PIDM, Aquarius judging), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
  • "Between Two Firs" (Monochrome PIDM, Aquarius judging), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018

Ronin-'s condition, as she anticipated would be the case before we ever started shooting, is to publish only photos that are either clothed or do not show her face. The images I cannot share with you are striking and powerful. But they belong to her, exclusively. And that's that.

Fortunately the rest of the images are also fantastic! As you may recall from an earlier post, Ronin- had a concept in mind, and we pulled it off. The "Lady of the Lake" theme turned out amazingly well. And with that... I'll shut up and let you see for yourself!

The photos accepted were "Shasta II," in the Monochrome category, and "Calico," in the Face & Body category (PIDC).

Shasta II (Open Mono PIDM) (Accepted)Shasta II
6I8A6319 (3-16-2020)
08-22-2017
Shasta Wonder
Lynnwood, Washington

2021-11-20 Vidin Spring Circuit (Bulgaria and Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM), as "Shasta": Accepted; Salon Gold Medal in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria Calico (Face and Body PIDC) (Accepted)

• October 3, 2022, Varadinum salon (2022-229), Romania, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Shasta II" (Monochrome PIDM), Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017
  • "Calico" (Face & Body PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019

nude opening night. My photo top right. nude opening. My photo top right on left wall. nude opening. My photo top right. nude opening. My photo top right on left wall.

Unfortunately, the other judges in Montenegro weren't so positive, awarding it 16, 16 and 14 points. This is what's so maddening about art: its inherent subjectivity and unpredictability. Next time I submit this photo, will it receive the points necessary for acceptance, plus four to spare and an honorable mention award? Or will it receive six points fewer than the number required? There's no way to no.

Further disappointing at Montenegro, none of my other photos were accepted. I entered four photos each in the color and monochrome categories, which were reviewed by four different judges. 32 photo judgings all told, and only one accepted. Frustrating. But it's an honorable mention! So there's that.

Better luck next time, I suppose.

Off Season (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Honorable Mention)

• September 10, 2022, Montenegro Circuit (2022-471), Montenegro, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Off Season" (Monochrome PIDM) (Salon Honorable Mention), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2021

Back in July, I discovered one of the most interesting photographic exhibitions I have yet run across: NFTitties.

Yes, NFTitties. "A women-led #NFT art drop celebrating boobs in all shapes and sizes 🔵🟥🔶."

Here's how it works: artists submit artistic images of women's breasts. The curators of the exhibit choose the best, and make them available as NFTs, "Non-Fungible Tokens." (No, I'm not 100% sure I understand what NFTs are. Give me a break. I'm a Gen-Xer.) Throughout the month of October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, people will be able to purchase these NFTs using digital currency. A portion of the proceeds will go to the artist, while the remainder will be donated to causes fighting breast cancer, promoting gender equality in Web3 (nope, not sure I know what that is either), and fighting censorship of art (definitely know what that one is, thank you Instagram).

Even though it's a bit over my head, I love the idea, the creativity, and the energy behind this project. So what the hell, I submitted two photos for consideration, and one of them was selected! Here's a reduced version of my NFT, which will be sold in all of its high definition glory for 0.1 ETH (sort of know what that means) starting October 1. This is a crop of my photo called "Locked Out," featuring Marzipanned at Frink Park in Seattle in January 2019.

So if you'd like to contribute in a creative way toward breast cancer research, strike a blow for gender equality, fight censorship, and own a token piece of great digital art that isn't fungible, check out NFTitties to find out how to buy my photo! Or somebody else's. Seriously, how can I complain when it's for such a good cause?

Find NFTitties online here:

• https://www.instagram.com/nftitties.space/
• https://twitter.com/nftitties_space
• https://nftitties.squarespace.com/

• October 1, 2022, NFTitties, Online Exhibit and Fundraiser
  • "Locked Out," Marzipanned, Frink Park, Seattle, January 2019

These are from my photoshoot with Haily and Lily last month, at Hidden Lake in Mount Rainier National Park. It was such a beautiful day in a beautiful location, and we had a great time playing and photographing in the lake and among the massive oblong boulders. Making pictures is always something I enjoy, and when it's with friends old and new, that's even better. The best days are when every photograph could turn out blurred beyond use and the memories of a good day in the wilderness would still make every step of the trip worthwhile.

But, the photos aren't blurred. In fact, they're gorgeous, thanks to these two strong, beautiful women! I think you'll think so too. So, without further ado: here are my favorites. Enjoy!

Rest and Upheaval (Monochrome Open PIDM) (Merit Medal Award)Rest and Upheaval
6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal Calico (Face and Body PIDC) (Accepted)

Oh, and one more thing! This time around, the results came with an extra message:

* Further to inform you that we shall start the preparation for our Annual Print Gallery Exhibition from next month where our Mission is to Promote the Awarded Author's Art Work to a Larger Audience , in this regard we are requesting you to send the Awarded Picture / Pictures Softcopy in High Resolution Format ( 18 x 12 inch , 5400 x 3600 pixel - 300 Dpi) for our Print Exhibition which is scheduled on January 2023 at a Premium Art Gallery of Kolkata , India .

So, cool. If you're in Kolkata this coming January, look for my photo.

• September 12, 2022, CAS Photo Academy (2022-493), India, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Rest and Upheaval" (Monochrome PIDM) (Merit Medal), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Isaac's Angel" (Colour PIDC), Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017
  • "Calico" (Face & Body PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019
    Rest and Upheaval (Monochrome Open PIDM) (Merit Medal Award)Rest and Upheaval
    6I8A5363 (09-17-2020)
    07-31-2018
    Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
    
    2021-05-02 Pirin Salon (Razlog, Bulgaria) (Nude PIDC): Accepted
    2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Nude PIDM): Judge's Choice
    2021-06-30 Marika Magazine (published in Toronto, Canada) (Summer 2021): Published
    2021-07-02 Hilliard Gallery (Kansas City, Missoiuri), "14th Annual Contemporary Figurative Show": Exhibited
    2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude), as part of a 7-photo series titled "Rest and Upheaval": Honorable Mention
    2021-07-30 3 Square Art Gallery (Fort Collins, Colorado), "Figure That!": Exhibited with a Gold Award
    2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Cuprija and Kladovo, Serbia; Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Mono PIDM): Accepted; Salon Gold (Cuprija)
    2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Serbia, Croatia, Malta, and Montenegro) (Nude PID): Accepted; Salon Silver (Croatia); Salon Ribbon (Serbia); DIPA Diploma (Montenegro)
    2021-11-29 Clickerz International Salon (Kolkata, India) (Nude PIDC): Certificate of Merit
    2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): IAAP Bronze Medal Isaac's Angel (Colour Open PIDC) (Accepted) Calico (Face and Body PIDC) (Accepted)

Discretion (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

• September 11, 2022, Photo Story (2022-187), North Macedonia, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Discretion" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Zi Gattina, Seattle, June 2017
  • "Portend" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Leo Velo, Seattle, February 2016
  • "Evening Swim" (Women PIDC), Michelle Rogue, Ghost Lake, August 2015
  • "Godiva in the Evening" (Open Color PIDC), Courtney Appleseed (now Stella Luceat), Bend, Oregon, September 2014
  • "Shasta II" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017
    Discretion (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Portend (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Evening Swim (Women PIDC) (Accepted) Godiva in the Evening (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)Godiva in the Evening
    6I8A5669 (5/1/2021)
    9/14/2014
    Courtney Appleseed (AKA Stella Luceat)
    Bend, Oregon
    
    2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Open Color PIDC): Exhibited virtually Shasta II (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Shasta II
    6I8A6319 (3-16-2020)
    08-22-2017
    Shasta Wonder
    Lynnwood, Washington
    
    2021-11-20 Vidin Spring Circuit (Bulgaria and Serbia) (Nude Mono PIDM), as "Shasta": Accepted; Salon Gold Medal in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria

Still, I'm disappointed. Suvarna is one of a very few salons to have a specific "Nude" category... and none of my entries in this category were accepted.

I have learned, repeatedly, that art is subjective, and that results vary from place to place and person to person. It is only by seeing how a broad range of people respond to my art that I can glimpse any sense of what the community overall sees as quality. One contest may give my image the highest marks available, and first place awards; while another contest doesn't even accept the same image. I submitted some of my most reliable images to this contest, and none were accepted. When I look at the images that were accepted, and those given awards, I may get a sense for why mine weren't successful. This contest, and its judges, clearly valued highly polished images, either in studio settings or, if out of doors, extremely stylized. This is not my kind of photography, as I favor a grittier, more realistic style.

Sour grapes? I hope not. The images that won are excellent images. They're just excellent in ways that are consistently different from mine.

I already preview the kinds of images a salon has accepted in the past, to see which salons are more likely to accept nude images. Certain countries (China, Italy, Turkey, the United States) consistently have few if any nude photos accepted by their photo clubs. Other countries, and certain clubs within them, consistently seem to place a higher value on figurative art, with one in five images, or more, including nudity within the "open" categories.

It's daunting to even consider looking at individual photo styles accepted in past contests and comparing them to my own. Plus, judges vary, so the favored images likely vary from year to year as well. In the end, trying to game the system becomes more trouble than it's worth. You just have to submit what you think is your own best work, and hope for the best. And over time, the community of photographers will give you a sense for which of your photos are respected, at least by a subset of judges.

Meanwhile, I don't mean in any way to diminish the worth of the six photo that were accepted. And as I said, two of them were accepted for the first time. Here they are: "Ohanapecosh 215," featuring Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh in Mount Rainier National Park this March; and "Den lille havfrue," featuring Queen Dandelion at Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park in July 2018. ("Den lille havfrue" is "The little mermaid" in Dutch.)

Ohanapecosh 215 (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Den lille havfrue (Open Monochrome PIDM)

• August 22, 2022, Suvarna (2022-453), India, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Ohanapecosh 215" (Open Color PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022
  • "Skyline" (Open Color PIDC), Zoe West, Seattle, June 2015
  • "Den lille havfrue" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Diane" (Portraiture PIDC), Diane, Seattle, September 2012
    Ohanapecosh 215 (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Skyline (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Den lille havfrue (Open Monochrome PIDM) Diane (Portraiture PIDC) (Accepted)Diane
    6I8A6460 (2021-09-27)
    2021-09-25
    Diane
    Seattle, Washington
    
    2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted at Cuprija, Serbia and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria and awarded a Salon Honorable Mention at both.

Decode will print my photo themselves, at 15"x10". The exhibition opens on October 8 and concludes November 5.

Here's the photo that was accepted: Bunny Luna, and a wild friend, photographed on Pinnacle Peak in Mount Rainier National Park in July 2018.

Parallel Worlds (Exhibited)Parallel Worlds
B75A8286 (2021-07-01)
2019-07-16
Bunny Luna
Tatoosh Range, Mount Rainier National Park

2021-11-20 Shadowhunter Circuit (Nude PIDC) (Malta): Accepted

Sometimes the best art is born out of serendipity. Luna and I planned a figure photoshoot in the Tatoosh Range of Mount Rainier National Park in July 2018, dodging hikers among panoramic, sun-drenched vistas. But the day arrived cool and gray, our 14,411-foot volcanic backdrop invisible in the clouds. We had the trail completely to ourselves, and the fog moving in and out among the lower peaks made for brooding, moody vistas. As we set up a shot among a particularly craggy jumble of granodiorite, a marmot poked its head over the top of the rocks, keeping a close watch on our proceedings. We expected it to take a quick glance and scurry away, but instead, it stayed and watched, following along as we set up shot after shot, even seeming to pose with us at times. In the quiet mist of the wilderness, perhaps it saw in naked Luna a kindred spirit, a fellow being at one with the world among the rocks and snow.

• October 8-November 5, 2022, "Nude," Decode Gallery, Tucson, Arizona, Gallery Exhibition
  • "Parallel Worlds," Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019

And it all worked perfectly! We captured some amazing images, and had some fascinating conversations, and I got to photograph a genuinely unique and beautiful human being. Melissa has endless creativity with her poses, and we were very much on the same wavelength about what we were trying to accomplish, such that she often shifted intuitively into positions that I was about to ask for.

I've sorted and done a quick edit on fifteen favorite images, which you can see on my full website; I'll include five of them here to show you the diversity and quality of the photos we collected. I look forward to working with these further!

Initially I chose five photos, but then as I was submitting them, saw that I could enter five more for a mere $5 extra. So why the heck not, I submitted a full complement of ten. You never know for sure what the judge is looking for, so you might as well spread the entry as wide as possible!

From the Prospectus:

Throughout history artists have been inspired by the human form. Nudity can simply be implied or tell a story through the whole human form. We venture to make this our most revealing exhibition to date.

Ha ha. And the judge, Holly Hart, is a Northwesterner from southern Oregon, who got her degree in Seattle.

The turnaround on this exhibition is really quick. With the deadline today, the selections will be announced two days from now. Then if I'm selected I'll submit high-res versions of my photos, and they'll print them themselves. I love exhibitions that print photos themselves, it's a lot less work on my part! So we'll see what happens pretty quickly.

A few selections from my entry:

Beauty TreatmentBeauty Treatment
6I8A1817 (1/3/2018)
4/13/17
HaileyJ
Seattle, Washington

2020-02-21 Indianapolis Art Center (Indianapolis, Indiana), "Body Building: The Art of the Human Figure": Exhibited
2020-09-25 Inernational Festival of Erotic Arts (Online, based in Barcelona Spain): Exhibited online; online symposium presenter
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Cuprija, Serbia) (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted
2021-11-30 Photo Fest Bitola (Bitola, Macedonia) (Nude PIDC): Accepted Exclusive Flight Tiger

That's HaileyJ in "Beauty Treatment," Seattle, April 2017; Marzipanned in "Locked Out," Frink Park, Seattle, January 2019; Abi Blue in "Flight," Seattle, June 2021; and Shasta Wonder in "Tiger," Lynnwood, August 2017.

Earthling and I met at 8:00 when the park opened (seems like a late time to open for a park that would be ideal for sunrise photography and fishing, but whatever). We shot for two hours at several different locations along the river, and got some magnificent images. Earthling had previewed my previous work and was very much in sync with me about the style of photography I do, with some great figure poses and some interesting "experimental" poses as well. Toward the end she got into the river to splash around a bit, and those "wilder" photos look great too! My first preview images from this set look great, and I look forward to working with them further. Here are a few samples!

At World System Photo, I entered photos in three categories: Open Color and Monochrome, and "Woman/Man/Child." Out of the twelve photos submitted, three were accepted -- one in monochrome and two in the "woman..." category. Two of them, "Asunder" and "The shape of you," have been accepted previously, while the third, "Feral," was accepted for the first time.

Feral (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Accepted)

The model is Stella Velvet, photographed along the Huckleberry Creek Trail in Mount Rainier National park in October 2015. A reminder that in some years October can be a magnificent month for photography if the weather cooperates!

My entry to Gold Camera was more successful. I entered all six categories, Open Color and Mono, Woman, Nature, Travel, and Photojournalism, and had photos accepted in all but Travel, a category in which I've always struggled. Eight photos were accepted in all, with one of the, "The Prayer," receiving a "Salon Diploma" in the Photojournalism category. Other notables include "The world comes apart," featuring Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh in March of this year (below), and "On point" in the Nature category, both accepted for the first time; and "Exclusive," accepted in its color version for the first time after previous success in monochrome (second below).

  The world comes apart (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Exclusive (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)

• August 15, 2022, World System Photo (2022-413), Hungary, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Feral" (Woman/Man/Child PIDC), Stella Velvet, Huckleberry Creek Trail, October 2015
  • "The Shape of You" (Woman/Man/Child PIDC), Shasta Wonder, Lynnwood, August 2017
  • "Asunder" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
    Feral (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Accepted) The shape of you (Woman/Man/Child PIDC) (Accepted) Asunder (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

• August 28, 2022, Gold Camera (2022-473), Montenegro, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Winthrop Glacier" (Woman PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Third Burroughs, August 2021
  • "Vernal Light" (Woman PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019
  • "The World Comes Apart" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022
  • "Old Roots" (Open Monochrome PIDM), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Exclusive" (Open Color PIDC), Marzipanned, Frink Park, Seattle, January 2019
  • "Diane" (Open Color PIDC), Diane, Seattle, September 2012
    Winthrop Glacier (Woman PIDC) (Accepted) Vernal light (Woman PIDC) (Accepted) The world comes apart (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Old roots (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
    6I8A4883 (09-17-2020)
    07-31-2018
    Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
    
    2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention Exclusive (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Diane (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)Diane
    6I8A6460 (2021-09-27)
    2021-09-25
    Diane
    Seattle, Washington
    
    2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted at Cuprija, Serbia and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria and awarded a Salon Honorable Mention at both.

1. Montenegro Circuit, in Montenegro: four judgings, in which I entered the Open Color and Open Monochrome categories. This actually the second year I've entered the Montenegro Circuit. Last year (and in previous years) they had a "nude" category, but not this year. Curious. I've included one photo that hasn't been entered into anything previously: "Bare in the Clouds," with Bunny Luna on Pinnacle Peak in July 2019.

Bare in the Clouds (Open Monochrome PIDM)

2. Photo Story Macedonia, in North Macedonia, in which I entered the Open Monochrome, Open Color, and Women categories. My entry included two photos never entered before: "Glass Houses," in the Open Color category, and "A shoulder to lean on," in the Women category, featuring thatonekatt and DianaJean in Amanda Park in July 2016 (below).

A shoulder to lean on (Women PIDC)

3. CAS Photo Academy in India, in which I entered the Monochrome Open, Colour Open, Travel, and Face & Body categories. New entries included are "Dance for the Earth," in the Monochrome category, featuring Haven Model at Mount Rainier in August 2018; "Kat on a mossy rock," in the Colour category, featuring Katlyn Lacoste at Ohanapecosh in March of this year; "Feral," in the Face & Body category, featuring Stella Velvet on the Huckleberry Creek Trail in October 2015; and "Refuge," in the same category, featuring CrystalHolmes at La Piedra Beach in California in August 2019. This salon should be interesting, because they offer a "Best Nude" medal in the Monochrome category.

Dance for the Earth (Monochrome Open PIDM) Kat on a Mossy Rock (Colour Open PIDC) Feral (Face and Body PIDC) Refuge (Face and Body PIDC)

4. Zodiac Circuit in India, in which I entered the Colour and Monochrome categories. This includes the photo "Survivor" in the Monochrome category, featuring Traci Banks in Seattle in April 2013.

Survivor (Monochrome PIDM)Survivor II
6I8A9189 (4/20/2018)
4/12/2013
Traci Banks
Seattle, Washington

2018-05-04 Location 1980 (Costa Mesa, California): Exhibited

I should have results in a few weeks!

1. "Evergreen," HaileyJ, April 2017, Seattle: accepted by five of the six judges! I haven't entered this into much previously, though it did get published in Art of Portrait magazine last winter, so it's one I'll have to start considering for other contests going forward.
2. "Shelter," Queen Dandelion, July 2018, Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park: also accepted by five of the six judges!
3. "Sanctified," Mikki Marvel, August 2015, Gas Works Park in Seattle: accepted by three of the six judges.
4. "Off season," Katlyn Lacoste, March 2022, near Ohanapecosh in Mount Rainier National Park: accepted by three of the six judges, and a first-time winner for this photo! (I love this image and think/hope it's going to go much further.)
5. "States of matter," Bunny Luna, July 2019, Pinnacle Peak in Mount Rainier National Park: accepted by two of the six judges.
6. "Lookout," Spencer Parks, July 2016, Cascade Mountains: accepted by one of the six judges.

Evergreen (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Shelter (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Sanctified (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Off season (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) States of matter (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Lookout (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)

• August 15, 2022, Photomania Circuit (2022-330), India, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Evergreen" (Open Color PIDC, Judging 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6), HaileyJ, Seattle, April 2017
  • "Shelter" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Sanctified" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 1, 3 and 6), Mikki Marvel, Gas Works Park, Seattle, August 2015
  • "Off Season" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 3, 5 and 6), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022
  • "States of Matter" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 2 and 6), Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019
  • "Lookout" (Open Color PIDC, Judging 6), Spencer Parks, Cascades Mountains, July 2016

In this case, my entry to the WSP Budapest salon was submitted on May 15. I received Honorable Mentions for my photos "Galactic Eruption," in the Nature category, and "Bad Mother," in the Open Monochrome category. In the "Woman" theme, I received a Silver Medal for my photo "The Shape of You." (The model is Shasta Wonder.) Here's what it looks like to receive such a gift in the mail -- and, the Silver Medal-winning photo.

The Shape of You (Woman PIDC) (Salon Silver Medal)

I only submitted photos in the "Open Colour" and "Open Monochrome" categories in this case, skipping the Nature, Travel, and Photojournalism categories. There were three different judgings in this circuit, and a total of six acceptances across the three judges.

Below are the highlights for this contest:

1. Salon Silver Medal: "Spirit of the Desert," Dominique Zuniga, March 2016, Valley of Fire.
2. "Connection," Lior Allay, March 2019, Gas Works Park in Seattle -- accepted by a contest for the first time, by two of the three judges.
3. "Together," Cyndical and Lior Allay, June 2017, Discovery Park in Seattle -- accepted in black and white for the first time (a color version was accepted to the Rochester Erotic Arts Festival in 2018).
4. "Exclusive," Marzipanned, January 2019, Frink Park in Seattle -- accepted by two of the three judges.

Spirit of the desert (Open Color PIDC) (FASC Silver)Spirit of the Desert
6I8A3574 (3/4/2017)
3/21/2016
Dominique Zuniga
Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

2018-04-06 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Rochester, New York): Exhibited digitally
2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC), as "Desert Light": Accepted
2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted Connection (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Together (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Exclusive (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)

• August 15, 2022, Foto Art Super Circuit (2022-458), India, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Spirit of the Desert" (Open Colour PIDC, Salon 1 and 2) (Silver), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
  • "Connection" (Open Colour PIDC, Salon 1 and 3), Lior Allay, Gas Works Park, Seattle, March 2019
  • "Together" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Salon 1), Cyndical and Lior Allay, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2017
  • "Exclusive" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Salon 1), Marzipanned, Frink Park, Seattle, January 2019

That's the good news. The caveat is that "Out of several hundred contestants, 273 artists from 31 countries won in one of six prize categories." That includes one first prize, two runners-up, three merit prizes, 72 talent prizes, 116 honorable mentions, and 75 finalist awards. So my honorable mention could be as good as 79th place, or as bad as 188th, out of an unknown number of applicants.

Oh well. I get an online exhibition of my image, among 272 others! And a digital badge! Woo hoo...

Jacob's Angel (Honorable Mention)

"Jacob's Angel" (AKA Isaac's Angel), Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017.

• September 5-30, 2022, "Figurative Art Competition," Art Show International, Online Contest
  • "Isaac's Angel" (Honorable Mention), Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017 (submitted as "Jacob's Angel")

This time, our plan was to spend the night at Mt. Fremont, in Mount Rainier National Park, to photograph the Milky Way during the dark of the moon. I wanted to attempt the most complicated set of photos I've ever tried: to photograph a human subject in front of the stars and the Mountain. I've photographed the Milky Way at Mt. Fremont before, quite successfully, but getting both the stars and a foreground subject in the same image is an order of magnitude more difficult.

But first, we decided to take a side trip on the Huckleberry Creek trail, a place I've photographed once before. The top part of the trail crosses an immense glacial cirque filled with oblong boulders, which make great platforms on which to pose. And I've never worked with anyone better at posing in such an environment than Katlyn.

From there, we continued down to Forest Lake, not for photography but just to enjoy the wilderness. One thing I love about this trail is that it's seldom visited... even on a Sunday afternoon, we encountered one couple coming out as we came in, and another couple coming in as we went out, and that's all. So we had plenty of time to swim in the lake and hang out on the shore enjoying the solitude.

Mt. Fremont could not have been more different. It was overrun with people! We shared the sunset with about forty of them, a circus-like atmosphere that was a bit overwhelming, frankly. We witnessed one couple getting married, and another renewing vows and taking photographs. One person had a drone flying, until I informed him it was illegal in the national park. People had brought camp chairs and stoves for cooking dinner. Several intended to stay for the Milky Way, same as us. At least there were hardly any bugs, very different from a month ago when I was practically eaten alive during another visit.

After the sun set, it turned cooler, and people began drifting away in small groups, headed down the trail by headlamp. I found a spot a bit down the trail myself, out of sight of the lookout, and set about experimenting with different settings and the positioning of a radio-remote flash. I wanted to get all the details worked out before the Milky Way was directly over Mount Rainier at about 11pm, and wanted Katlyn to be able to stay bundled up against the cold as long as possible until then. The problem was, about every three minutes another group of people would go past me on the trail by headlamp, and I had to wait until they passed before resuming my experiments. Hilariously, although I was only about 20 feet off the main trail (on a rock field), not a single person saw me, their eyes blinded by the light of their headlamps. There was even a group of five that came in at about 10:30pm by headlamp, hiking single file and conversing in Japanese. They didn't even have cameras -- just came to see the lookout, evidently, in the middle of the night, and then headed back around midnight!

Meanwhile, I finally got my settings the way I wanted them, and my camera and flash positioned, and Katlyn set up for her poses. The flash would go off at the beginning of a 15 second exposure, and then she would quickly bundle up in a blue sleeping bag, looking like a big blue worm in the darkness as the camera processed the shot! Due to the cold, we only shot about a dozen poses before calling it a night.

We went to bed about 1:00... and were woke at about 5:00 by the first of the sunrise crowd coming very LOUDLY up the trail. Who needs sleep anyway!

Now that I have the photos on my computer, my feelings about the Milky Way shots are mixed. The focus isn't as sharp as I'd hoped -- hard to do, given the darkness and the need to capture both the foreground individual and the distant mountain in the same shot, with an aperture as wide as possible for light gathering. And there seems to be a lot more light pollution around the Mountain than there was six years ago. But, the sample I'm including here is just a preliminary first edit, so I may find ways of compensating for both factors, in the final shots. I'm also not sure that the image is as cool in real life as it was in my imagination. Maybe with more foreground elements along with Katlyn -- an old tree or something -- it would look better. In any case, the Huckleberry Creek shots more than make up for any reservations I have about the ones at Mt. Fremont! They are, as you can see, magnificent.

Katlyn, by the way, is talking about moving to Chicago, tired of an attitude very unsupportive of artists in Seattle. That's a topic for another blog post, but I'll say two things: I don't disagree with her; and, I'll miss having her around. Along with being a remarkable artist and model, she's become a good friend, and I'll miss exploring wild places with her.

Rest and Upheaval

To be human is to live in contradiction. We strive for lives that are calm and peaceful; yet the world is filled with chaos and turmoil. Nothing conveys this clash between tumult and vulnerability better than the contrast between the soft curves of a human body and the rough, hard textures of our rocky planet. Yet, paradoxically, even the harshness of nature can, in time, through the action of millions of waves and trillions of grains of sand, smooth out the sharp edges into smooth and polished stone. Nature both threatens and sustains us, and we find balance in the center of the storm.

Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
6I8A4676 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
6I8A4883 (09-17-2020)
07-31-2018
Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention

• August 29, 2022, "Amateur Nude," PX3 Prix de la Photographie Paris, France, Online Exhibit
  • "Rest and Upheaval" (Series of 6) (Honorable Mention), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018

This set is from less than a month ago (a record for editing, I know). Here are a few of my new favorites:

Just for fun (in a gallows humor sort of way), here are two of the images I'm posting on social media, showing first the uncensored Twitter version and then the censored Instagram version:

Rather absurd, isn't it? I'm curious, do you feel... what's the term... sexually solicited by the uncensored images?! Note to Mark Zuckerberg: it's art, goddamn it. Get with the 21st Century.

Some competitions or galleries are extremely well organized; others leave a lot of questions unanswered. This is one of the latter. Obviously I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt, and it would be nice to win monetary awards (theoretically up to $350), and some of the winning art pieces in previous years are quite nice. But the contest closes tomorrow and opens on September 5, and there isn't any information I can find about whether that means it'll be a digital exhibition, or online, or if the images will be printed for physical display, or what. These are the kinds of basic questions that sometimes make me decide not to enter a competition at all.

But, it's done, so we'll see what happens! I'm competing against other media including painting, sculpture, collage, mixed media, etc., which is always interesting too, but it looks like photos have been recognized in previous versions of the figurative competition.

Here are the photos in question:

1. "Feathers" (Diane, Seattle, 2012)
2. "Jacob's Angel" (Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, 2017) (AKA Isaac's Angel)
3. "Lilith and Eve" (Vex Voir and Katlyn Lacoste, Interlaken Park, 2017)

FeathersFeathers
6I8A6385 (2012-09-27)
2021-09-25
Diane
Seattle, Washington

2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (People Color PIDC): Accepted at Cuprija, Serbia and Pazardzhik, Bulgaria Jacob's Angel (Honorable Mention) Lilith and Eve

Here are the new photos entered into PSA competition for the first time:

1. Dance for the Earth (Open Color PIDC) (Haven Model, Mount Rainier National Park, 2018)
2. Converge (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Mikki Marvel, Gas Works Park, 2015)
3. The world comes apart (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, 2022)
4. Survivor (Woman PIDC) (Traci Banks, Seattle, 2013)

Dance for the Earth (Open Color PIDC)   Converge (Open Monochrome PIDM)   The world comes apart (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Survivor (Woman PIDC)

"Between January and March of 2020, 39.5 million pieces of content were removed for violating Meta’s guidelines on “adult nudity or sexual activity.” The appeals process which follows a deletion is subject to the discretion of moderators who are now under extra pressure to comply with SESTA/FOSTA or expose the company to prosecution. To comply with SESTA/FOSTA, Meta often assumes that content including the naked body is sexual and therefore in violation, which is a faulty line of logic as Dr. Carolina Are points out in “The Shadowban Cycle,” as it “conflate[s] sex trafficking with sex, sex with a lack of safety, and lack of safety with women’s bodies.”

The photo salon that closed this evening was Suvarna, in India, and along with the nude category, I entered images in the open color, open monochrome, portraiture, nature, travel, and photojournalism themes. As usual, I submitted a mix of photos I've entered into contests before, and new photos submitted for the first time. Here a few of the new images. The target date for notification of results is September 25.

1. A shoulder to lean on (Portraiture PIDC), thatonekatt and DianaJean, Amanda Park, Washington, July 2016
2. Ohanapecosh 215 (Open Color PIDC), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022
3. Road Hazard (Open Monochrome PIDM), Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022

A shoulder to lean on (Portraiture PIDC) Ohanapecosh 215 (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted) Road hazard (Open Monochrome PIDM)

This was a photoshoot we've been planning for a long time! It took a while for all of the logistics to come together, and we were so fortunate that when it did, it was on an absolutely gorgeous day. And like the shoot with Haily and Lily, this one with Ronin- and their boyfriend not only resulted in fantastic images, but also new friendships with like-minded people.

We met at Wally's Drive-in in Buckley, then drove up to the remote trailhead along Mowich Lake. I've never seen so many cars at that trailhead on a weekday! We spent an hour and a half hiking up to Eunice Lake, sharing stories and getting to know each other, learning how much we had in common. Ronin- was looking forward to this photoshoot because they had done some modeling in the past, but then had been in an abusive and controlling relationship in which they had been gaslighted to think of themself as ugly, fat and weak rather than the beautiful, fit and muscular young person they actually are. The ex-boyfriend had prohibited Ronin- from modeling. This expedition was a return to form, in a new location and with a new and supportive boyfriend by their side. The Lady of the Lake by Achen089

And Ronin- had very specific and creative ideas about what they wanted to do! This was to be a "Lady of the Lake" photoshoot, their take on a classic theme in art and mythology. They had managed to find a beautiful sword, originally made for the Knights of Columbus and intricately etched, with a classic cross-shaped handle. They also had a magnificent hand-made tiara studded with crystals, a flowing white dress, and for good measure, a dozen roses. We had a lot of fun making up stories to tell other hikers who asked about the roses! "I'm taking them to my girlfriend at Tolmie Peak." "We're having a wedding." I suggested we say we were attending a wake and viewing!

By the time we got to Eunice Lake, we were hot enough that jumping in the lake for a swim was enormously tempting! Plus, the mosquitoes were fierce, so getting out in the open water was advantageous. The three of us swam for maybe twenty minutes or so. I wonder how much the hikers at Tolmie Peak Fire Lookout could see, from so far above us?

Over the course of the afternoon and evening, we saw numerous groups swimming in the lake... I can think of at least six other groups besides ourselves. We were the only ones to skinny dip. I totally get that people have the right to make their own choices. But -- speaking solely for myself -- it always amazes me how deeply ingrained Americans' resistance to nudity is. So many people climb into the water in the clothes, or their underwear, enduring clammy wet clothing rather than enjoying nature in the most natural way. Again, personal choice! But based on my own experience, I truly believe that 90% of people would be astonished by how pleasurable and freeing it is to swim naked, if they'd only try it once.

Anway... we wanted to do our photoshoot in the low-angle light of evening, so to pass some time we hiked on up to Tolmie Peak and spent half an hour up there, enjoying the view and chatting with other hikers. Ronin- suggested that while we were there, we might do a few photos before we headed back down to the lake, so Ronin- changed into a dress and I shot some great images there on the ridge.

By the time we got back to the lakeshore, the light was perfect. We shot images in the white dress, in the nude, and then in the dress in the water, with the sword. As the evening progressed, and we figured out the logistics of the photoshoot, the photos got better and better. The Lady of the Lake theme was a HUGE success, and so was the goal of recovering Ronin-'s sense of empowerment. I mean, look at these photos. Have you ever seen such a beautiful and powerful individual?

(Note: Ronin-'s face is blurred at their request... they will decide which photos to make public, and to what degree, after the images are fully edited.)

The only fly in the ointment (pun intended) of a perfect day was how bad the mosquitoes were. Fierce. Relentless. Those of us not in the water used copious bug spray, but it only helped so far. We'd have probably photographed later into the evening, in fact, if the mosquitoes weren't so bad. But except for this one factor, this was, for the second day in a row, a perfect day.

These are the people for whom, if I had to choose between spending time together as friends without photography, or shooting together without being friends, I would choose the former in a heartbeat. What a blessing it is to able to enjoy both!

This was only the second time I've gone hiking and photographing with Haily, and yet I already feel like she's a good friend. We share a love of wilderness, hiking, photography, and skinny dipping. This time she brought along her good friend Lily, who is just as delightful as she is. Our trail of choice was the Palisades Lakes Trail at Mount Rainier National Park, and specifically, the side trail to Hidden Lake. We got an early start, meeting at the trailhead at 8am and setting out ahead of most other hikers. We made brief stops at Sunrise and Clover Lakes, then passed Tom Lake on the way to Dick Lake, but turned off before Harry and Palisades Lakes. The weather was gorgeous and not too hot, a little buggy but not so bad that it was more than just a little uncomfortable.

I honestly wasn't sure if this was going to be a photography hike or just a hike, especially since I hadn't met Lily before. But when we got to Hidden Lake, and I'd taken a swim across the lake and back, Haily said "where do you want to photograph us?" Well, of course I'd been thinking of options! So I suggested we hike around the lake to the far side, where the sun was shining on large oblong boulders, streaked with colors from minerals and lichens. Haily and Lily divested themselves of clothing and spent the next hour or so happily clambering around on the rocks, as I circled around them looking for the best angles and madly swapping lenses.

Neither Haily nor Lily are professional models, but we all shared ideas and came up with some great poses. And there's something inherently beautiful about people who are comfortable in their own skin, and who so thoroughly enjoy being out under the sky and in wilderness lakes in their most natural state!

Midway through our shoot, we noticed that a couple of male hikers had arrived at the far side of the lake on the trail. They had a great view of our photoshoot, and sat respectfully watching our creative efforts, departing after we were finished.

As for ourselves, the women laid in the sun for a bit longer, drying off, then we hiked back around to the trail and back out to the parking lot. I can say without reservation that it was a perfect day. We're already talking about our next destination.

Here are some sample images with preliminary edits.

I did a photoshoot way back on the 6th of the month that feels like it was barely yesterday, and which I haven't even mentioned yet. I shot with Invy Rose up on Mazama Ridge in Mount Rainier National Park at sunrise, a spot I've been hoping to photograph for a long time with the wildflowers at peak bloom. Nature always gets the last laugh, of course; due to the late snowmelt this year, the wildflowers are probably peaking about now, not two weeks ago when we scheduled our session! Still, they were very good, especially in certain patches where we could focus our energies.

The model for this shoot was Invy Rose, a Seattle area model who's been active for as long as I've been photographing models... in fact, she was the second model I ever photographed, as part of a Seattle meetup group way back in late 2010! Then I worked with her three times at a photography workshop I participated in, and a group photoshoot at Ladywell Spa in Seattle, and then hired her myself for photoshoots near Chinook Pass and at Dumas Bay. But, it's been almost eight years since we last photographed together, way too long a gap! Especially since Invy is one of the kindest, most upbeat people you'll ever meet in your life, and a consummate professional.

I'm working on editing Invy's photos, and will share more with you when they're finished, but here's a few early-edit samples to give you an idea of what we were working on. Note that all photos were made using Leave No Trace principles, and were staged in creative ways to prevent subalpine plants from being damaged, even when the trail and rocks aren't visible in the image.

More to come soon!

I'm proud to share a new set of photos featuring Katlyn Lacoste, the model I've worked with more than any other, who is both an extraordinary model and fantastic artist in her own right, and who has become a good friend over the years as well. We were joined by Kat's friend Rich, also a Seattle artist, who ended up doing a modeling set of his own up on the mountain as well.

I've wanted to shoot at Third Burroughs forever, as it's one of my favorite locations in all of Mount Rainier National Park. It's a long, steep hike at high elevation, but never feels as long as it really is, to me, because the scenery along the way is so breathtaking. And when you get to the final destination, at the end of an unmaintained waytrail, you're perched on a cliff overlooking the deeply-crevassed Winthrop Glacier, with Mount Rainier looming above you.

Unfortunately the air was hazy with forest fire smoke the day we were there, in late August 2021, so a lot of the pictures are imbued with a yellowish-brown cast, a bit surreal in color. The black and white versions are less affected, though the Mountain is still hazy in the background. Later in the day, we also shot several sets on the pumice plain below the high point on the trail, and by that time the air had cleared a bit. Still, it would be great to go back, someday, and shoot on a truly crystal-clear day, if I can ever find anyone as eager as Kat has been to invest a day hiking deep into the mountains for a photo shoot. Kat herself is talking about moving away from Seattle, frustrated by the city's lack of support for artists, and their unsustainable cost of living. It's too bad -- I could shoot with Kat forever, and never run out of great photos.

Anyway, I'll share with you, here, some of my favorite photos from this set, which really capture well Katlyn's raw energy and sensuality, which looks so damn good in a wilderness setting. She truly puts her entire self into her modeling.

And for those of you dedicated enough to be following me on this blog, here's a bonus link to my top 100 photos from the shoot, behind the password "3rdBurroughs" . Enjoy!

Lanki Photo Awards Circuit (in Sri Lanka) was more satisfying. They had three different judgings, which meant three times as many opportunities for photos to be accepted or awarded. Judge number 3 was a sourpuss, or a fuddy-duddy -- he/she didn't like my photos nearly as much as judges 1 and 2, who each responded quite enthusiastically to my entries. All told, 15 (!) photos were accepted by one judge or another, a total of 21 acceptances among the three judges, including 9 photos with figurative themes. One of my nature photos received an "SSP Merit" award, whatever that is. I also received a "Judge's Choice" award in the Open Color category for my photo "Isaac's Angel" (should be Jacob's Angel, I know, but once a photo is accepted by PSA under a certain name, it takes an act of God to change it in future contests). And, my photo "Lookout" received a "Lavish Merit" award. Again, who knows what that is, but at least it sounds better than "SSP Merit!"

You can see all of my entries and accepted images at the pages linked above. Meanwhile, here are the four awarded photos... In order:

1. "Lookout," Spencer Parks, Cascades Mountains, July 2016, Lavish Merit, Lanki Salon, Sri Lanka, 6/27/2022.
2. "Isaac's Angel," Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017, Judge's Choice, Lanki Salon, Sri Lanka, 6/27/2022.

1. Lookout (Portrait and Body PIDC) (Lavish Merit) 2. Isaac's Angel (Open Color PIDC) (Judge's Choice)

By the way, I also processed results from the Monovisions Photography Awards, Manifest Gallery, Life Framer, the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Nude Magazine, all of whom passed on my photo submissions. You win some, you lose some...

• June 27, 2022, Lanki (2022-367), Sri Lanka, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Lookout" (Portrait and Body PIDC, Judging 1) (Lavish Merit), Spencer Parks, Cascades Mountains, July 2016
  • "Isaac's Angel" (Open Color PIDC, Judging 1) (Judge's Choice), Vex Voir, Interlaken Park, Seattle, June 2017
  • "Center of the Storm" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 1 and 2), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Spirit of the Desert" (Open Color PIDC, Judging 1), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
  • "Driftwood" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 1), Queen Dandelion, Rialto Beach, July 2018
  • "Skinny Dipper" (People and Life PIDC, Judging 1), Dolly Mattel, Crystal Lakes, September 2021
  • "Godiva in the Evening" (Open Color PIDC, Judging 2), Courtney Appleseed (now Stella Luceat), Bend, Oregon, September 2014
  • "Vantage" (Open Monochrome PIDM, Judging 2), Dominique Zuniga, Valley of Fire, March 2016
  • "Infinite Leo" (Portrait and Body PIDC, Judging 2), Leo Velo, Eatonville, January 2020
    Lookout (Portrait and Body PIDC) (Lavish Merit) Isaac's Angel (Open Color PIDC) (Judge's Choice) Center of the Storm (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted)Rest and Upheaval (series of 7)
    6I8A5285 (09-17-2020)
    07-31-2018
    Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
    
    2021-07-05 Moscow International Foto Awards (online contest based in Moscow, Russia) (Amateur Nude): Honorable Mention Spirit of the Desert (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)Spirit of the Desert
    6I8A3574 (3/4/2017)
    3/21/2016
    Dominique Zuniga
    Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
    
    2018-04-06 Rochester Erotic Arts Festival (Rochester, New York): Exhibited digitally
    2021-08-11 Vidin Spring Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC), as "Desert Light": Accepted
    2021-10-15 Kladovo Summer Circuit (Vidin, Bulgaria) (Nude Color PIDC): Accepted Driftwood (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Skinny Dipper (People and Life PIDC) (Accepted) Godiva in the Evening (Open Color PIDC) (Accepted)Godiva in the Evening
    6I8A5669 (5/1/2021)
    9/14/2014
    Courtney Appleseed (AKA Stella Luceat)
    Bend, Oregon
    
    2021-05-29 MTN Photo Salon (Kolkota, India) (Open Color PIDC): Exhibited virtually Vantage (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Infinite Leo (Portrait and Body PIDC) (Accepted)

• July 10, 2022, Odessos (2022-253), Bulgaria, Photographic Society Contest
  • "Calico" (Portrait and Body PIDC), Marzipanned, Seattle, January 2019
    Calico (Portrait and Body PIDC) (Accepted)

At the same time, it's also interesting to see how different contests, and in particular contests in different countries, view the same image. I've found that my genre in particular, figure nudes, can get widely different reactions in different places. I've learned that it's helpful to review the photos that have been accepted or awarded in the past, and to avoid contests where few or no photos featuring nudes have been selected, in favor of contests where nudes make up a higher percentage of the accepted photos.

I've also learned that my travel and nature photos don't compete as well as my general color and monochrome images do. I've had mixed success in the photojournalism category as well. So, for these contests, I entered only the Open Color and Open Monochrome categories, plus "Woman/Man/Child" in the World System Photo salon.

You can see all of my entries on the pages linked above. Here are a few of the new images I'm putting out there for competition for the first time:

Aphrodite in the willow tree (Open Color PIDC) Pedestal (Open Color PIDC) Together (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Wild woman (Open Monochrome PIDM) Off season (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) States of matter (Open Monochrome PIDM) (Accepted) Canyon (Open Monochrome PIDM) Last light (Open Monochrome PIDM)Last Light
6I8A8293 (2/24/2021)
7/29/2015
DianaJean
Upper Crystal Lake, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2021-04-01 Colors of Humanity Art Gallery (online) "Human Nature": Exhibited virtually

Above: "Aphrodite in the Willow Tree," DianaJean, Green Lake Park, May 2020; "Pedestal," Katlyn Lacoste, Third Burroughs, August 2021; "Together," Lior Allay and Cyndical, Discovery Park, Seattle, June 2017; "Wild Woman," Dolly Mattel, Crystal Lakes, September 2021; "Off Season," Katlyn Lacoste, Ohanapecosh, March 2022; "States of Matter," Bunny Luna, Tatoosh Range, July 2019; "Canyon," Katlyn Lacoste, Silver Falls, March 2022; and "Last Light," DianaJean, Crystal Lakes, July 2015

Archived posts And, despite Instagram's invitation to submit an appeal, I have never heard anything back from them. Again, the irritating part is not that they're a mega-corporation that doesn't give a shit about a tiny artist with a few thousand followers, but that they made a show of being interested in what I had to say, and then just ignored me, without even acknowledging receipt of my appeal.

So, now you can see all of my posts and decide for yourself.

In addition to six years of re-created posts, you can also see the images from my archived posts here, a total of 195 photos and video clips. I have the text from them too, but don't feel inclined to go to the work to recreate them; I include the images just for completeness. These are posts that I subsequently deleted, because I felt they were off-topic or not up to the quality I wanted to maintain on my feed.

Stories More relevant are my stories, which are reproduced here, 2,667 images and 48 video clips over a span of more than four years. These are more important because they were often the source of Instagram's dissatisfaction with me, with several stories removed over the years for supposed "sexual solicitation." Sometimes a story would be removed months or years after it was originally posted, presumably because it was still visible in my highlights. And sometimes, completely mystifying me, I would share somebody else's artistic image, and then I would get flagged for "sexual solicitation." The original post would remain visible, often on accounts far larger than my own, but as soon as I posted the image, within seconds I would receive warnings about my account being in danger of removal.

So here it is, folks. My attempt to use Instagram for the purpose they say it was meant, to share creative expression with like-minded people. You can see how hard I worked, how many hours I invested in defacing my art so that it would be bland and body-phobic enough to fit Instagram's "Community Guidelines."

My backup account is up and running, at @sensualight.backup, but if my @sensualight account was self-censored, the backup is just plain sad. It's like trying to make a fine Indian recipe, with all of the spices and heat, but altering or reducing the flavoring to be acceptable to an American palette -- that was @sensualight, with its black bars and pixels and blurs and edits on behalf of American prudishness. But the multinational corporation overseeing my Indian restaurant is still worried that some people might react negatively to all that flavor. In fact, they have accused me of trying to recruit people to come make spicy Indian food with me! So they've closed my restaurant down, and now, if I want to share my recipes at all, my only recourse is to serve meals with no spices at all, the blander the better.

You can still enjoy my Indian recipes here in my little private personal restaurant, if you can find it, but instead of a few hundred visitors per meal, I'm serving two or three at a time.

I'll stop before I torture the analogy even further. Rest in peace, @sensualight.

My #topnine of 2021, according to Instagram likes -- a suspect method at best: five of my top nine are from January, corresponding to a sudden and suspicious drop in all engagement numbers on my account. Shadow banned much? Anyway... featured here: 1: @velvet_model, Huckleberry Creek Trail, October 2015 2: Zanthe, Emigrant Lake, September 2014 3: HaileyJ, Seattle, April 2017 4: @itsdollymattel, Upper Crystal Lake, September 2021 5: @bendy_taylor, Olympia, May 2018 6: @bunny_luna_, Pinnacle Peak Trail, July 2019 7: @tiffanyhelms_ and @katlynlacoste, Shriner Peak, September 2020 8: @olgahersh, Pack Forest, October 2020 9: @thedragonwitchlady, Seattle, January 2019 #top9 #topnine2021 #bestof #2021

Jan 1, 2022, 11:06 AM

My #topnine of 2021, based on success at exhibitions and contests! 1. "Rest and Upheaval," @queen_dandelion, Rialto Beach 2018 Pirin Photo Salon, Bulgaria MTN Photo Salon, India: Judge's Choice Marika Magazine Hilliard Gallery, MO Moscow Int’l Foto Awards: Honorable Mention 3 Square Art Gallery, CO: Gold Award Kladovo Summer Circuit, Serbia & Bulgaria: Salon Gold Shadowhunter Circuit, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro & Malta: Salon Silver and Ribbon, DIPA Diploma Clickerz Int’l Salon, India: Certificate of Merit Photo Fest Bitola, Macedonia: IAAP Bronze Medal 2. "Framed by Light," @diana_jean_o, Amanda Park 2016 Vidin Spring Circuit, Bulgaria: Master of Light Gold Medal & Honorable Mention Shadowhunter Circuit, Serbia, Croatia & Montenegro Photo Fest Bitola, Macedonia: IAAP Silver Medal Chromatic Awards: Honorable Mention 3. "Asunder," @queen_dandelion, Rialto Beach 2018 Marika Magazine Moscow Int’l Foto Awards: Honorable Mention Vidin Spring Circuit, Serbia & Bulgaria: DIPA & Salon Honorable Mentions Black & White Spider Awards: Nominee 4. "Role Reversal," @melancholic_model & @despondentart, Discovery Park 2019 Marika Magazine 3 Square Art Gallery, CO: Finalist Vidin Spring Circuit, Bulgaria Knox Contemporary Gallery, online 5. "Lean on me," Cyndical & @eccentricearthling, Discovery Park 2017 118 Online Art Gallery Bifarin online gallery The Studio Door gallery, CA Vidin Spring Circuit, Bulgaria Shadowhunter Circuit, Malta Fusion Arts gallery, Online 6. "You have no power over me," Bowie Monroe, Bellevue 2018 Black Box Gallery, OR Praxis Photo Arts Center, MN Shadowhunter Circuit, Serbia, Croatia & Malta Clickerz Int’l Salon, India 7. "Ritual," @gehinnom @thebonewitch & @laurawrong_, Carbon River Canyon 2018 Marika Magazine Monovisions Photo Awards: Honorable Mention Knox Contemporary Gallery, Online ND Photo Awards: Honorable Mention 8. "Mammals in the Mist," @bunny_luna_, Tatoosh Range 2019 Shadowhunter Circuit, Serbia & Malta Clickerz Int’l Salon, India Budapest Int’l Foto Awards: Bronze Award Tokyo Int’l Foto Awards: Honorable Mention 9. "On Watch," @marzipanned, Seattle 2019 Shots Magazine Manifest Gallery, OH Photo Club Montenegro

Jan 1, 2022, 1:11 PM

"Three Graces" (series). @gehinnom, Carbon River Canyon, May 2018. @Monovisions Photography Awards, Honorable Mention, July 2021. Cenxored for Instagram Webxite in profile

Jan 2, 2022, 12:00 PM

@eccentricearthling, Discovery Park, Seattle, March 2019. Cenxored for Instagram Webxite in my profile

Jan 5, 2022, 11:01 AM

@bunny_luna_, Pinnacle Peak, July 2019. Newly edited photos on my website! Budapest International Foto Awards, Bronze Award, 12/2/21. Censored for Instagram Website in my profile

Jan 8, 2022, 11:00 AM

@bunny_luna_, Lower Sunbeam Falls, July 2019. New photo set on my website (see profile)! ART photo censored for Instagram #artisticphotography #donotcensorart #canon #rokinon

Jan 11, 2022, 11:01 AM

@itsdollymattel, Upper Crystal Lake, September 2021 ART photo censored for Instagram Website in profile

Jan 17, 2022, 11:01 AM

"Asunder," @Queen_Dandelion, Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, July 2018. Marika Magazine, published Summer 2021. Moscow International Foto Awards, July 2021, Honorable Mention. Vidin Spring Circuit, Pazardzhik, Bulgaria; Paracin, Bulgaria (Honorable Mention); Cuprija, Serbia (DIPA Honorable Mention), August 2021. Black and White Spider Awards, Nomination, November 2021. #ARTnude, Censored for Instagram, Website in profile. #artisticnudephotography

Jan 20, 2022, 11:01 AM

@KatlynLacoste and @TiffanyHelms_, Shriner Peak, September 2020 ART Photo censored for Instagram. Website in profile.

Jan 23, 2022, 11:00 AM

Lily Green, Seattle, October 2021 New photo set on my website

Jan 26, 2022, 11:01 AM

@TiffanyHelms_, Seattle, July 2014 ART Photo censored for Instagram. Website in profile.