AN exhibition at the Fremantle Arts Centre of more than 200 photographic images showcases work by some of Australia’s best commercial photographers, including work by six local photographers.
The Fuji Advertising, Commercial and Magazine Photographers Australian Photographers Collection is a showcase of commercial and private work from commercial photographers working around Australia.
The collection is exhibited in all capital cites of Australia and in recent years it has travelled overseas.
ACMP WA committee member Gary Peters said every year photographers were invited to submit work which was then considered by 10 judges, in Sydney.
“If you get in the collection you also get in the book and the travelling exhibition. Recently the collection travelled overseas to Japan and Germany and it looks like we’ll get one in London,” Mr Peters said.
The work submitted for ACMP collection includes commissioned pieces but it’s also an opportunity for photographers to show private work, which is often more experimental than their commercial work.
“Photographers still grab cameras and go out and experiment. This gives them a bit of a forum,” Mr Peters said.
“This exhibition gives people an idea of what photography is about and I think what’s happening in photography and computer photography is
the edges are becoming very blurred.”
For WA photographer Simon Westlake this is the fourth year his work has been included in the Fuji ACMP Australian Photographers Collection.
Mr Westlake said the judges had chosen a combination of his commercial and private work for inclusion in the past four collections.
“There are two major categories commercial and non-commercial and these are divided for the judging but not divided in the exhibition,” Mr Westlake said.
“These guys are experts in their field, if you get in you’re meant to get in.”
Mr Westlake is eager to promote the collection’s accompanying book as a resource for art directors sourcing photographers.
“I’m hoping the book will become more and more a reference for photographers and art directors,” he said.
“In the industry I’m in you’ve got to remain in people’s faces, if you don’t promote yourself you get forgotten.”
