This is a total “pinch me I must be dreaming” post! Picture me furiously typing with excitment over sharing these photos with you. Because these are my creative babies that won first place in the HOTEL TONIGHT Photographer’s Competition!
What?! I never win anything (except maybe scrabble).
Myself and a number of blogger photographers were invited to spend a night at one of the iconic partnering hotels of Hotel Tonight. The competition challenge stipulated that our goal was to showcase the most unique elements of our hotel of choice.
After stalking many of the beautiful hotels on offer, I chose to stay at The Darling Hotel. Why? Because it is elegant, it is sexy and I knew it would boast design flare to get my creative juices flowing.
So without further ado I packed my bags and trotted off for a night of heaven at The Darling.
BUT WAIT! I forgot to tell you about the greatest challenge of this competition.
We photographers were not allowed to rely on our fancy digital cameras and editing programs. No, no, no… All photos submitted had to be taken on none other than our smart phones and could only be edited using the smart phone tools.
Challenge accepted!
I darted around the hotel madly snapping anything that caught my eye on my iPhone 6. There was so much inspiration to be gleaned from the interior design and the achitecture. After selecting a shortlist of my favourite shots I decided to capture the hotel’s sexiness by presenting them as a black and white series. I used the iPhone photo editing tools to remove the colour and adjusted the highlights and shadows to create more drama darling!
I hope you enjoy the fruits of my labour. I still can’t believe my photos took part in an exhibition and went on to win first place. As a creative, every now and then it’s nice to get a high five from someone who validates your work. It’s not the reason why we create but it’s rewarding to know you’re on to something worthwhile.
Love, a very chuffed Peanut xo
Photography | Gemma Pranita
Location | The Darling Hotel, Sydney, Australia
Bianca says
26 June 2015 at 9:57 amGorgeous, Stunning, Beautiful!! All the above..
Love love love!! And a huge congratulations to you girl for winning. So deserved xx
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 7:59 amThanks for your unwavering support B! Big love to you x
Melanie Johns says
26 June 2015 at 11:13 pmI am not surprised you won with those stunning photos. Congratulations!!
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 8:00 amThank you Melanie! x
Fez says
26 June 2015 at 11:35 pmGreat photos and well deserved! What tools did you use on the iPhone 6 to edit? Shows it’s not about the camera but the eye behind it!
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 8:01 amIt’s insane what we can now achieve on phone cameras. I just used the editing tool that comes with the iPhone in iPhoto. They’re basic but sometimes it’s good to be limited. I really enjoyed the challenge! Thank you for your kind words! Gemma x
Dru says
27 June 2015 at 2:24 amLOVE LOVE LOVE!! Congratulations Gemma,the photos are beautiful.I love the black and white 🙂
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 8:02 amSo glad you like them. Thank you so much x
giaskyler says
27 June 2015 at 10:07 pmIt is very easy to snap photos with a phone. But to make them look like art, is an art in itself! Great job Gemma!! Congratulations! Well deserved!
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 8:02 amThank you heartily! x
Amara says
27 June 2015 at 10:08 pmIts hard to believe these were all taken on an iphone! You have a serious gift my friend!
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 8:03 amIt blows my mind what phone cameras can create! I really thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. Thank you for your kind words! Gemma x
Georgie says
28 June 2015 at 2:28 amThe leg shot in the the tub is inspired! Well done, very deserving winner
gemmapranita says
29 June 2015 at 8:04 amI think that one might be my fave! Thank you for your sweet comment Georgie! x