Local photographer Lisa Graham is on Cloud Nine after one of her photographs was honoured with a bronze award in the nature category for professional photographers in the 2013 Epson International Pano Awards.
This annual competition draws over 3,800 submissions from about 55 countries each year. Graham's photo, entitled China Cloud, is a seascape of several sailboats anchored in the Comox Marina.
"I like to go on personal photo expeditions with my camera and tripod in the early mornings around the Comox Valley in search of that perfect vista," explains Lisa. "On this particular fall morning, the tide was out and the lighting was ideal, creating a mirror reflection of the sailboats and the pink-tinted cloudy sky."
Lisa adds that the panoramic shot was created using Photomerge. It is actually five carefully constructed individual shots taken on a tripod and then 'stitched' together using Adobe CS3. This type of work requires both photographic and computer mastery.
Soon after being contacted about the Pano Award, Graham was notified that she has also been accepted to showcase her work at the juried LAB Show at West 7th Studio in Vancouver on Sept. 21.
This annual event, hosted by Vancouver-based Glitz Entertainment, is a multi-media visual and performing art and fashion show in support of humanitarian efforts at a project called Huichol House in Lalisco, Mexico.
The LAB Show is a fitting venue for Graham to display her portfolio, which goes far beyond seascapes. In addition to fine art and portraits, Graham is respected in the photography and fashion world for her underwater portrait collection.
This unique body of work clearly portrays her adventurous and artistic side as she creatively captures dreamlike images of models, synchronized swimmers, dancers, families and even mermaids underwater.
"With my underwater work I am able to combine the two things I love most — photography and water," concludes Graham. "I love how water adds an entirely new element of flow and freedom to a portrait.
"Whether I am shooting in an indoor pool or in one of the many spectacular swimming holes on Vancouver Island, there is something magical about how the light dances through the water and fabric flows."
Graham moved to the Comox Valley from central British Columbia in 2006. She graduated from the photography program at North Island College in 2007 and, shortly after, embarked on an 18-month backpacking/photography trip around the world with her husband.
She launched Seadance Photography in 2009, winning the Innovation Award from the Comox Valley Small Business Association (formerly the HBBA) in 2011. Her work has also been featured at the Comox Valley Airport and several other galleries on Vancouver Island.
For more information, visit www.seadance.ca.
— Seadance Photography