At time of writing Robin has yet to upload Chopstick’s tongue or his new folio but you’ll find more of his work here.

At the beginning of this year 2013’s top shots were judged by an advertising creative from TBWA Melbourne. You can see the final winning shot here, and last year’s top shots here (Jan- March), here (April- June) and here (July- Dec). As I’m part of a large photography forum in Asia this year I’ll be cajoling an Asian based creative on board as the next judge. To be in the mix, I just have to edit your website/ folio during that month.

Here are my first three from 2014, and do keep watching my blog for updates.

January

I am a bit of a sucker for a shot which allows the imagination to roam. Top it with beautiful light (captured or created), and perfect composition and it has all the winning attributes. January was a tough month as I edited so many folios but when it came down to it this one was a great stand-alone image. Craig Proudford is a young Sydney photographer to watch. His work has a quirky approach, and is executed with utmost attention to detail. After assisting some of the best advertising photographers in Sydney, and putting together a gorgeous folio, I have no doubt he is well prepared for an awesome 2014.

February

I am in love with the layers and textures in this shot. And it’s also refreshing to see black and white imagery used in a deliberate and conceptual way. I can’t imagine the work that went into the costume design for this shot- part of a much larger project called ‘Shanghai Shadows’. But then, everything Robert Earp shoots is highly conceptualised and produced, and involves his very competent team of artists. You can see more of the series here.

March

‘I find something primeval, spiritual perhaps, in our immersion in water and the light of the dawn. It’s hard not to be moved by this interaction. I’m sure if you looked at our brain waves, the light and water would be triggering endorphins or fairy dust, or whatever you want to call it.’

So speaks Christian Mushenko of his ‘Poolside series’. And of course, here I go again, drooling over those ocean pools. It seems that every morning Sydney-siders head out in droves to their ‘local’ to do some laps and enjoy the balmy weather, chat to the neighbours, walk the dog and imbibe some of the fairy dust. It was hard to pick one of the many shots I waded through as I did Christian’s new print folio, but I settled on this one with it’s glistening milky water, slightly ominous sky, and the small figures doing their morning laps.

July- Todd Eyre

I fell in love with this shot as soon as I saw it, and because Todd’s passion is travel and tourism photography it was a no-brainer to open his website folio with it. The shot is full of energy, unbridled enthusiasm and innocence. Todd chose to name his categories with travel assignments in mind and this shot sat so nicely in ‘Discover’. Within a couple of months of the website’s soft launch, Todd received a call from a dream client who found his site and knew he was perfect for a huge summer assignment, which he won of course. You can escape into Todd’s world here

September- Marcus Adams

It has been a pleasure to watch Marcus’ photography blossom over the past year under the tuition of some of the best Magnum photographers in the world. Already an established reportage photographer, Marcus spent 2013 focusing on ‘Wheels of Revolution’– a project which took him to Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines. With an emphasis on transportation, Marcus shot many many gorgeous images of people- some award winning, but I just couldn’t help but be drawn back to this simple image of a bicycle. I’m a sucker for an emotive shot and the simplicity of the frame, bell and raindrops won me over. You can read more about this eye opening project here.

October- Hugh Hartshorne

In October I was privileged to edit some of Hugh Hartshorne’s images for his agent Mondo Folio in Sydney, Australia. In fact I spent several intense days immersed in their photographers’ imagery. Whilst Hugh has shot some incredible black and white portraits, this shot just had to be my final pick, even though it didn’t make the website. Everything about this image is fantastic- the view in the background causing all but one of the identically-clad children to turn their backs to the camera. I wonder if that one little kid will end up being a photographer- clearly he sees the world differently. You can see more of Hugh’s work here

November- Grant Matthews

Anyone remotely interested in fashion photography n Australia will have heard of Grant Matthews and his name can be associated with any number of top models and many celebs, all of whom he has shot beautifully. But this timeless shot has great graphic lines and the composition is spot on. I love it! To see Grant’s vast array of work go here

December- Gary Gross

No matter how often I see this shot, I am drawn to it. Apart from having all my favourite elements- beautiful composition and graphic lines- it has gorgeous tones and it is so evocative of all of those wonderful old ocean pools you find dotted around Australia’s coastal cities. Gary shoots in a very direct way- but he does it with a sensitive eye and an appreciation of texture, colour, and a good dose of soul. And when I look at his shots, whether they’re people or places or objects, I can’t help but want to know more. I think that’s a good thing. To see more of Gary’s work on his newly launched website go here