JAMES HODGINS PHOTOGRAPHY

Well the results are back and my image “Waiting for a family” took first place in “Press” Category at the Professional Photographers Of Canada Print Competition in Banff.  It was also entered into the Loan Collection but most of all, (and something that is a first for me) it was awarded the score of “Excellence” which is the highest score you can receive from PPOC.

On another note.  I think my arm hair is starting to grow abnormally.

This vid is good for a few laughs, pass it on.
(rated PG-13 for coarse language)

Finally had a chance to open some goodies that arrived for me last week.  The award on the left is from my 3rd place win at WPPI.  The award  in the middle is for “Best Group Portrait” from the Professional Photographers Of Canada – Ontario for the image “This is what happens to crappy print judges” and the one on the right is a “Judges Choice” Award for “The Big Catch”.  Both these images have been sent off for the National Print Competition next month in Mont Tremblant.  Entering Print competitions is very beneficial to any photographer and I will be speaking about this during my presentation in Chicago next week.  It helps us strive to create the best image possible EVERY TIME which is  beneficial to ourselves and our clients.   The judges look for such thins as Storytelling, Composition, Presentation and what I like to call the WOW Factor.  Having your images critiqued by your peers can  give you an eye opener to your photography (good or bad) but either way it’s a learning experience.

Heading to Chicago tomorrow afternoon for the Inferno Convention so see you next week.

We had our annual Professional Photographers Of Canada Ontario Division print competition this past weekend right here in Sudbury Ontario and all 4 of my images have been accepted in the print Salon.  With a few modifications to a few I will now be sending these off to Nationals this Spring in Tremblant Quebec (My good friend Mike Long of Portland Pinups is one of the key speakers at this convention and I was just informed that I will be receiving my first “Masters Bar” there as well.  Unfortunately I cannot attend as I have previous committed shoots).

It is always a learning experience when you get to listen to other master photographers judge your prints.  At first your a little disgruntled as they are “trying” to find something wrong with the image, either lighting, post processing, presentation, exposure or even subject matter.  MOST photographers will close out any suggestions at this time.  In this industry, constructive criticism is the best educational tool we can learn from, and if you open your ears and minds to the suggestions made by fellow master photographers you will learn more, apply more, and in the end, give more to your clients.  This will be my 10th year entering my images in National and International Competitions and it’s still a great learning experience.  I would like to personally thank all the judges for their comments and suggestions (you know who you are). CONGRATULATIONS to all the Ontario Professional Photographers who entered.

Accepted “A Hands Best Friend”

Accepted “The Big Catch”

Merit “Sea Of Love”

Merit “This is what happens to crappy print judges”

My 20 page Destination Jamaica Wedding Album of Sarah & Luc also received a Merit

SUDBURY POLICE

NOTICE OF ARREST:

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the “Ringleader” of the “(Crappy) Assistant Murders” has been apprehended and is being held in custody.

James Hodgins was arrested after a complicated sting operation involving  numerous law enforcement agencies on both sides of the borders. The comprehensive investigation has included officers from across Ontario and several US states. (see missing persons files). CSIS has also expressed interest, as has the FBI, with possible follow up by CIA, NRA, CFL, NHL, NBA, NAACP, PPOC, WHMIS, DOD, DEA, ATF, DOT, FDA, NCIS, USDA, UN, RICO, NASA, UNICEF, OPP, NSA, NATO, FUBAR, and several divisions of SPCA. (no animals were harmed in the commission of any of these crimes, but they may have been used as potential weapons). See “squirrel” addendum.

NB:  Now, as the search goes on for any possible accomplices to these crimes. For his own protection, (and at his own request) Mr. Hodgins will be held in padded, solitary.

It also should be noted that during the high risk take down that it  became apparent that Tazer use was ineffective on the suspect. It seems to be the first time on record that officers reported a suspect as “asking for more”!  He was heard saying “Do it again” numerous times. Til the arresting officers finally gave up when their units ran out of charge, and even though the subject reported he “had extra batteries in his bag”, it was decided to just quit and put him in the back of the cruiser. The officers declined to put him in the trunk as he requested.

This is what happens when you go visit Brad Kelly of Tequila Moon Productions in Cambridge Ontario.  I thought he was my friend, I thought he was just taking an image of me to be a nice guy.  I knew I should not have confided in him and his little Pet Rat.    This made me laugh when I just received it.  I met Brad a few years ago while attending a convention of the Professional Photographers Of Canada and realized at that time he had a very odd sense of humour, just like me.  Thanks again Brad, it was great seing you yesterday and I look forward to hanging with you in Nashville Next week.    Click here for the previous “Crappy Assistant Chronicles”