www.berten.be
The umbrella organisation of European professional photographers’ associations, the Federation of European Photographers, organises an annual photo competition in various genres. Aarschot photographer Berten Steenwegen won a Merit Award there.
The Federation of European Photographers is the umbrella organisation of European professional photographers’ associations. Each year a competition is held in various categories such as advertising, commercial, pets, reportage, nature, landscape and, of course, portrait.
Once again this year there were participants from all over Europe, from Italy to Iceland and from Ireland to Russia. In total, 300 participants from 25 countries submitted more than 2600 images. A professional jury of 29 members determined the results
Besides the finalists and winners in each category, ‘Merit Awards’ (awards for merit) are also presented. Aarschot photographer Berten Steenwegen, who specialises in portraits and has a fondness for black and white, also submitted a few images.
One of his photos received a merit award: a portrait of Jacques Gheysen, an 88-year-old yoga teacher from Houwaart.
Berten: ‘I am very pleased with this recognition. This portrait was strong enough to compete with European heavyweights. It is also a fine example of what I like to do, namely laying bare the soul of the person portrayed. Whether that is a baby, a grandfather or a businessman.
That is also what I did with the portraits of the Aarschot hospitality sector, and what I am now continuing with portraits of other entrepreneurs from our town.’
The book #horecaah with the hospitality portraits is currently in production and will be released in May. ‘With a bit of luck this will coincide with the reopening of the hospitality sector, and then it will be a fine memory of a difficult period,’ says Berten. – source: Hageland Actueel