The 2018 Focus Awards open on Saturday 1st September and close on Sunday 30th September.
There are many reasons to enter the Focus Awards. But rather than take our word for it, read on to see what some of our winners from 2017 think.
I entered the 2017 Focus Awards just on a whim, with a bit of a ‘well, you need to be in it to win it’ attitude. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be a winner. I’ve never considered my work to be up there with all the outstanding imagery I see on the Focus Facebook page every day.
Go on, get your entries in.
Chris de Blank
3rd place winner, Landscape, 2017 Focus Awards
I have entered images into the Focus Awards for the past two years. I learnt from the 2016 experience by listening to the responses from the judges. To have a judge respond well to your image provides a great sense of achievement.
Timothy Moon
2nd place winner, Open Competition; 2nd place winner, Landscape, 2017 Focus Awards
The Focus comps have helped improve my photography tremendously. I learned techniques through invaluable critiques. Seeing my winning work on display on Awards Night was also an unforgettable experience!
Callie Chee
1st and 3rd place winner, Seascape; 2nd place winner Sunrise/Sunset, 2017 Focus Awards
In 2016, having received a Bronze Award in every category I entered, I very nearly gave the game away. I actually had all of my gear on Ebay, but after a chat with some fellow Focus Members, I removed it. I was extremely down in the dumps, and was questioning everything, more especially why I was even bothering with photography at all.
But I took stock, stepped back, and basically started again, with a fresh approach, and a fresh set of eyes. And it worked. In 2017, a year later, I received Gold, and was the winner of the Creative Category.
Without Focus and encouragement from its Members, some who have become very close friends over the years, I could never have achieved this. Thank you all sincerely.
Mike Hobbert (Emerald Imaging)
1st place winner, Creative, 2017 Focus Awards
It was an unforgettable experience to join this competition for me. This year is your turn to join one of the best photo competitions in Australia.
Chaiwat Leelajonkij
1st place winner, Black & White, 2017 Focus Awards
Personally I feel extremely privileged to be part of this wonderful group purely for the support and encouragement it provides to aspiring photographers like me.
When I entered the FOCUS Awards for the first time in 2017 I was really looking for some constructive feedback on my work and how I could improve. Being on the winners list was a real bonus and probably the best thing that could have happened to me in terms of developing my skills further. I feel more inspired now to go out and shoot and push those creative boundaries and that is precisely what I did after the Awards Night – I went to Long Reef for a sunrise shoot !
Santosh Mitra
2nd place winner, Creative, 2017 Focus Awards
You got to be in it to win it – you may be pleasantly surprised, when you least expect it.
Sungki Lee
3rd place winner, Urban Landscape, 2017 Focus Awards
There are a number of reasons why I enter the FOCUS photography awards. Firstly it’s way to push myself to become a better photographer and story teller – to do better than the year before. Secondly I thoroughly enjoy looking at the other entries which I find incredibly inspiring.
Kath Salier
3rd place winner, 2017 Focus Awards
Winning the 2017 Focus Awards Photographer Of The Year was an enormous thrill. At the time I considered myself to be just lucky, but reflecting now on being asked to submit a few words, I think winning was the result of all the hard work I had put in. So, as they say, the harder I work the luckier I get.
Entering the Focus Awards has pushed me harder on my photography journey and entering Awards has also helped me compare my progress with my peers. As far as celebrating my achievement on winning I get to continually look at my winning image on my wall, so it just keeps on giving !
Graeme Gordon
Photographer Of The Year 2017; 1st place winner, Open Competition; 2nd place winner, Urban Landscape, 2017 Focus Awards