Maltese photographer Stephen Busuttil was declared Overall Overseas Photographer of the Year at the annual convention of the SWPP-BPPA - the top UK photographic association - in London.

The convention was spread over four days and, apart from various seminars and lectures taking place, a trade show was held, running concurrently with all the other events. This year's trade show had no fewer than 200 exhibitors, including Attard & Co. Photo Labs Ltd, the first Maltese company to take part.

Many international top names in the photographic arena delivered lectures during the convention. Three of Malta's top photographers - Kevin Casha, Joe Smith and Albert Demarco - were contracted to deliver seminars and also to sit on the adjudicating panel of the 20"x16" print competition. This is a new competition instituted this year by the organisers and over 400 prints were submitted.

The cherry on the cake arrived at the end of the Gala Awards Dinner when the results of the monthly international competition were announced. This competition consists of entries submitted online by members of the organisation during the year.

Joe Zammit was declared Overseas Fashion Photographer of the Year.

Alan Carville carried off two awards in the architectural and commercial categories.

Apart from the Overall Overseas Photographer of the Year accolade, Mr Busuttil also won the press and PR overseas category.

Other Maltese competitors also had a considerable number of works in the finals.

In his capacity of president of the Malta Institute of Professional Photographers, Mr Casha said this was a red-letter day for Maltese photographic art. Having members of the Maltese institute lecturing and judging alongside established names in such an important arena shows that where photographic art is concerned, Malta has steadily garnered respect and recognition and is now regularly working closely with foreign associations.

The handsome number of awards won during the London event is also evidence that Maltese photographic artists keep proving they are on a par with their foreign counterparts, he said.

Mr Casha, who has steered the MIPP for the past 10 years and who will be voluntarily stepping down from president this month, said this was indeed a very proud moment both for himself and Maltese photography. He has always firmly believed that Maltese photography could reach such dizzy heights.

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