CHANGE OF ADDRESS:NEW BLOG...

I have moved my research activities to this, in my opinioon, more sophisticated location:

http://mhonkys.wordpress.com/

Please join me there for my latest news, projects and photos:-)

Michal.

What do I enjoy the most about photography?

The ability to provoke thinking in the viewer; to awaken their imagination and emotions as well as enhance their knowledge. The process of creating this class of images gives me inspiration, self-fulfilment and encourages me to constantly develop as a professional and as a person.

Has winning this award changed me or any future plans?

I have always wanted to pursue the career in documentary photography and am planning to continue my studies on a more specific MA course next year. Thames Valley University provided an excellent general platform, but now I feel my direction needs to be shaped more specifically. At the same time I am contemplating another documentary project, this time exploring the effects of the large scale nuclear and environmental experiments on the land and its people in post-communist Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

I think that winning the award is an important contributing factor in the realization of these plans.

Description of winning portfolio/Ostrava

In my project Ostrava, submitted in a book format, I am exploring the transition of my homeland in the Czech Republic. Ostrava is an ordinary industrial town, situated close to the Polish border. It is a place that witnessed the illusory promises of prosperity during the communist regime, accompanied by degradation of urban and rural areas as well as its people. By focusing on detail and precise composition I am trying to portray the remnants of the past, which still lie scattered across the newly built grounds. Overall, the book is a visual journey through rural and urban spaces revealing more in-depth views and intimate truths about a land struggling with its identity, as it is trying to leave behind its past and adopt all of the aspects of democracy.

Winners announced for Nikon’s Discovery Awards

Nikon UK is delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Discovery Awards competition, held in conjunction with British Journal of Photography.

Winners from each of the participating twenty academy colleges were presented prizes at the Discovery Awards ceremony on Tuesday evening during Nikon’s two day professional photography show, Solutions Expo. An exhibition images from the 100 students entering the competition were also on display throughout the two day show.

Chris Hoare, Nikon’s professional business manager said: “The first Discovery Awards competition has been a great success, we are really pleased with the efforts of each of the students and colleges involved in the competition and have had great feedback from the tutors. The winners were all extremely deserving and will no doubt go on to be industry’s finest.”

The prize fund totalled an impressive £50,000 from which the overall winner, Michal Honkys from Thames Valley University received a £5000 cash prize, £1800 worth of Nikon equipment and national exposure of his work. To demonstrate Nikon’s ongoing support of the colleges and tutors supporting the students, a Nikon voucher to the value of £6000 was presented to Thames Valley University.

Tony Nandi, principle lecturer at Thames Valley University said: “When you combine an outstanding staff team with committed and talented students great things happen. TVU is the new kid on the block in photographic education, and this degree is only three years old, so we are enormously grateful to Nikon for this recognition and hope that the competition continues for years to come”

Two highly commended Judges’ Awards were awarded to Ignasi Cunhill of Thames Valley University and Rebekka Unrau from Edinburgh College of Art each receiving a £500 Nikon voucher. One student from each of the Academy colleges also received a Nikon voucher to the value of £1800. Details of the winners can be found below and images will soon be available on the Nikon gallery at:
http://www.europe-nikon.com/home/en_GB/gallery/home/broad/f.html


Grand Prize Winner
Thames Valley University
Michal Honkys

Judges’ Awards
Thames Valley University
Ignasi Cuhnill

Edinburgh College of Art
Rebekka Unrau

Shortlist winners from each of the twenty academy colleges and universities
The Arts Institute Bournemouth
Matt Burgess
Blackpool and the Fylde
Lorraine Setchell
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Thomas Woods
Edinburgh College of Art
Rebekka Unrau
Kingston University
Nick O’Brien
Manchester Metropolitan University
Emma Daffin
Newcastle College of Art & Design
Adrian Lourie
Nottingham Trent University
Steven Poxson
Plymouth College of Art & Design
Richard Hicks
Sheffield College
Kate Burnett
South East Essex College of Arts and Technology, Southend
James Porter
Thames Valley University
Michal Honkys
University of the Arts (LCC)
Matthew Hughes
University of the Arts (LCF)
Marcus Ross
University of Brighton
Ahmet Unver
University for the Creative Arts (Rochester)
Harri Heinonen
University College Falmouth (Art & Design)
Natalie Tkachuk
University of Gloucestershire
Clare Dawson
University of Wales, Newport
Kate Astbury
University of Westminster
Jan Stradtmann