Picture credit: Jade Danielle Smith
Jade Danielle Smith, a student at Southampton Solent University impressed judges with the ‘beautiful tone and use of natural light’ in her winning shot.
Jade said: ‘Using Fujifilm’s Superia 800 film, I placed my Canon AE-1 with a 50mm lens and positioned it on a tripod with a ten-second timer, then naturally placed myself in the direction where I wanted the light to fall.’
The Curators Choice is a new monthly award, launched as part of the annual Fujifilm contest.
Prizes include the chance to be featured in an exhibition in London later this year.
Judges praised Jade for a commentary she provided with her winning entry, questioning the definition of ‘colour’.
‘Colour to me is where the light falls,’ added Jade. ‘Without light you would have no colour; in colour this reflectance of light is where colour is more specifically important than just a block of colour.’
‘It is here where I considered the idea of what “colourful” is to me and so, in my self-portrait, I purposely positioned my body in the direction of where the light falls.
‘Only then, in that light, would the colour be distinguished between light and dark, present and hidden – so creating a “colourful” portrait of myself.’
Steve Macleod, creative director of the competition’s sponsor Metroprint, said: ‘On one level a very simple composition set in a classic style, yet the light and the texture draw me into the work.
‘I also like the narrative question attached.’
The awards are now open to all students in the UK, not just those studying photography, to cater for those who are keen photographers.
