EISA Maestro Competition Winners (UK) 2016
The theme of the 2016 EISA Maestro competition was landscape. The top three international winners selected from 16 countries will be chosen at the end of June 2016, and each will be invited to Berlin to receive a cash prize and trophy. The overall winner from the UK, as selected by AP, is Grzegorz Piechowicz and we see his work here, as well as that of the two runners-up.
1st Grzegorz Piechowicz, Glasgow
Grzegorz Piechowicz’s educational background is actually in architecture, which has successfully complemented his other studies in art and design. He found himself spending a lot of time drawing and sketching, so it was a natural and logical progression for him to move into photography. In the future he would like to explore Norway and the Faroe Islands, the Ural Mountains in Russia, and the Tatra Mountains in his motherland Poland. But here in the UK he plans to visit the Outer Hebrides and Shetlands.
https://www.gpiechowicz.photography
The Images
‘The mountains are undoubtedly my favourite subjects,’ says Grzegorz. ‘I love spending time on a grand landscape image involving rugged peaks with an interesting foreground. There is a power and mystery in mountains that I find irresistible. I’m naturally drawn towards the wilderness of the Highlands and Islands. This varied environment combined with the notoriously unpredictable weather can produce real moments of magic that transform the landscape. I also enjoy spending time in the digital darkroom, perhaps as much as I do taking the pictures.’
2nd Shahbaz Majeed, Dundee
Photography for Shahbaz began in 2007, when he found he experienced real enjoyment in the simple act of taking pictures. This motivated him to join his local camera club, which taught him much about camera control and composition. He soon improved and, as is evidenced here, has been successful in various competitions. www.framefocuscapture.co.uk
The Images
‘I love capturing moments that you can relive over time, as every image has a story behind it,’ says Shahbaz of these images taken in areas such as the Isle of Skye and Glencoe. ‘It is also great to hear about the connection people make to your work. We as photographers are lucky that we can connect with people through our images and allow them to create their own story from looking at a still.’
3rd Dylan Nardini, South Lanarkshire
Dylan first took an interest in photography while studying art & design at school, where he learned the basics in black & white film photography, developing and printing. His interest dwindled in his 20s but was picked up again in his 30s, where a few refresher courses and an OCA course reignited his passion for the art form. For 23 years he has travelled throughout Scotland as a freight-train driver. Some of the light that can be seen at different times of the day in all weather is, to Dylan, awe-inspiring and is the main reason he invests his free time in landscape photography.
The Images
‘As you can see in these images,’ says Dylan, ‘I love all things landscape, but I’m drawn to trees, particularly how light can make them dance and glow. Another thing I seem to like is farm walls. I don’t know why, but the way they can snake through the land or roll up and down hills seems to grab my attention. I love the way the light can ignite a scene. It doesn’t need to be a glorious morning sunrise light –witnessing even the smallest ray of afternoon light piercing the forest canopy can bring leaves, water or some flora to life.’
