Luceo Images accumulated the most points over the weekend during the Southern Short Course contest. Although my name is counted among the list of winners, it was more than exciting to see my friend and colleague, Kevin German, reel in the big tuna: Southern Photographer of the Year.  I’ve been keeping up with Kevin’s work over the last year as he’s made the transition from the American newspaper market into being a full-time shooter in Vietnam.  I feel especially fortunate to have been able to watch his projects develop along the way through probably a dozen or so edits that he’s shared with the Luceo folks –including a pretty intense edit round that took place each night during out annual meet this year.  Kevin brought with him literally hundreds of tiny proof-prints that he’d spread all over the floor of the apartment, trying one order, taking feedback, flipping the order, pulling a print or two, before changing it up again.  And again.  He’s a consummate photographer and his attention to detail is bar none.  Really, a well-deserved win.

 Also among the winners were two more of my favorite shooters, folks who I have been following quietly for several years now: Lisa Krantz and Melissa Lyttle.  Krantz’s website is nothing short of prolific in terms of her photographic breadth and and storytelling ability.  Lyttle’s been racking up a pretty wonderful year, including honors from UNICEF for her “Girl  in the Window” piece, a story following a child who had been left almost completely uncared for for the first seven years of her life.  Melissa’s aphotoaday.org has also been quiet a service, creating a community for photographers to share work and ideas as well as a forum for daily news and inspiration. (And I’ve got one of her prints on my wall, not that I’m partial) 

Definitely a good group of winners this year and a real honor to be included on the list.