Hatter Adam Moser's photograph "Innocence" was awarded Best in Class at the Professional Photographers of Canada's 2023 annual competition. Pictured in the photo is Moser's daughter, Charlie.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
A Medicine Hat photographer is being recognized as one of Canada’s best, having had three of his photos included in a prestigious national collection and one awarded Best in Class.
Adam Moser, owner of Medicine Hat’s Delmar Photography, was astounded to learn three of the four photos he submitted to the Professional Photographers of Canada’s 2023 annual competition had been selected for exhibition in its National Image Salon; and downright astounded to hear one of the three had earned the prestigious Best in Class award.
“There’s different levels you can get when you submit photos,” said Moser. “If the photo doesn’t meet criteria, it will be unaccepted, (but if it does) you can get accepted, merit or excellent.
“Two of my photos got accepted, and then one got merit … I was shocked that my photo got merit, and I was even more shocked it won Best in Class. I thought that maybe (my photos) would get accepted, but (the one) definitely fared much better than I anticipated.”
While all three of Moser’s photos will join the PPOC’s 2023 National Image Salon, the Best in Class photo, a Child Portrait class submission titled ‘Innocence,’ will also tour with the PPOC’s Loan Collection, a travelling exhibition featuring images demonstrating exceptional quality and photographer skill.
Moser says the photo, which depicts his daughter Charlie, three years old at the time it was taken, is unique, as it was not planned and diverges somewhat from his usual style.
“Myself, my wife and my daughter were actually in my studio doing some family photos,” he said. “Then my daughter was playing kind of shy and she just had that innocent look, so I snapped a few photos. I hadn’t intended to take just her photo that day (but) it turned out awesome.
“It’s so funny though because I almost always prefer colour (photos). I’d say 95 per cent of the photos I take are in colour, but the ones that I’ve had the most success with always end up in black and white.”
Following his win, Moser has explained to Charlie her photo will travel across Canada and be viewed by many people, but isn’t certain if she, now four, fully understands the immensity of such an accomplishment.
Moser is grateful his work will be shown across Canada, and hopes it will highlight the level of talent which can be found in Medicine Hat and area.
“Medicine Hat has a lot of very talented photographers that are part of the PPOC as well,” said Moser. “So, it’s definitely humbling (to represent the area).”
Moser says he will likely submit photos again in future competitions, as he enjoys receiving judge’s feedback and using it to improve his craft.
