Societies Photographer Captures Top National Award
Greater Manchester photographer, Phil Melia FBIPP has been named one of the winners of Portrait of Britain 2020 with his entry ‘Ryan’ – a documentary portrait of the Principal Cornet player with the Boarshurst Silver Band.
The prestigious competition is run by the world’s oldest photography title, The British Journal of Photography (est. 1854) in conjunction with the global advertising giant, JCDecaux and indie photographic book publisher, Hoxton Mini Press. Its aim is to celebrate the rich tapestry of Britain by turning individual stories into public art by exhibiting them via the network of JCDecaux digital screens throughout the UK.
For a delighted Phil, whose studio gallery is based in the village of Greenfield, Saddleworth, it represents recognition both by a distinguished panel of judges and by the public of skills honed over decades.
“I’m really proud and honoured to have one of my images selected as a winner in such a prestigious competition. To have ones work critically acclaimed by such a highly regarded international panel, Simon Bainbridge – Editorial Director – British Journal of photography, Parveen Narowalia – Digital picture Editor of British Vogue and Martin Usborne the Co-Founder of Hoxton Mini Press is something really special for me.”
His winning portrait was part of a larger social documentary project that Phil carried out to celebrate the band’s 165th anniversary. Phil created environmental portraits for all the members of the band and their musical director. He also documented the bands 165th celebratory concert held in the local village of Uppermill, their participation in the annual Saddleworth Band Competition and Whit Walk.
“I wanted to create historical portraits of all the band members so their children and grandchildren could see them as part of their family history as well as visually representing all aspects of the band.” he explained.
The project was edited and collated into a self-published book entitled Brass and Glass.
“The book and title were the perfect way to bring the project together as I used an iconic documentary photographer’s camera, a Leica rangefinder, whereby parts of the camera and lenses are still made of brass,” he explained.
About Phil
Phil has over twenty-five years professional advertising and industrial photography behind him. In more recent times he has utilised that experience to specialise in editorial portraits, industrial photography and visual storytelling. He has an MA in International Documentary and Photojournalism Photography and is an accredited Fellow of the British Institute of Professional Photography.
His work has seen him travel on commissioned assignments throughout the UK and Europe as well as further afield to China for a Swiss based client. Not one for standing still, he has recently launched his own fine-art print brand selling giclee prints through his website at philmelia.co.uk
- For more information contact Phil Melia on 07973 204849 or email contact@philmelia.co.uk
- https://www.philmelia.co.uk/brassandglass
