Two Helpings of Pannack

By Unknown on 08:12

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I spent part of last Friday afternoon checking out Parkopedia's site about where best to park on the edge of the City though within reach of Victoria Embankment. My first visit to Somerset House was scheduled for last Saturday you see. I had a very special invitation to a discussion hosted by Save The Children on the subject of child poverty, a subject close to my heart.

About two years ago I came to know of Laura Pannack through an email from Canon about her winning entry in the category of portraits at the 2010 World Press Photo Awards. It was a stunning image by someone so young though with an obviously burgeoning talent. Music lovers can tell the style of a composer just as you can easily discern Laura's very distinctive signature. There is a great clarity of subject which is perfectly exposed. Her pictures have soul and offer the viewer not only an essence of being there but more importantly an opportunity to bear witness to a story being told. From arrangements  of simple backgrounds to landscapes with a watercolour effect and she does it in analog!!! I remember when I began to follow her blog that she was very attached to her ' Baby Bronny '. Now of course she has moved onto something else since the Baby Bronny has seen it's best days. I first met Laura at Vision 11 in Olympia when she was part of a panel discussion on career development. She spoke with the natural eloquence of a practised professional and seasoned orator, with charming humility and in an inclusive manner.  Thus I was specially delighted to have spoken with her on that occasion and remained in touch since.

On Saturday last in company with Liz Hingley, Abbie Trayler-Smith, Carol Ann Storey and Simon Roberts, fellow photographers who were jointly commissioned by Save The Children to spend a year working with families around the country to tell the story of children in the UK who live in poverty, Laura participated in a discussion panel at Somerset House recounting their experience in assisting the charity on this campaign. During the duration of their commission, much time was spent with several families and images from their assignment are in an exhibition entitled Our Lives, on show at the Embankment Galleries until 20 May.

Laura Pannack with Abbie Trayler-Smith, Liz Hngley, Jess Crombie of Save The Children, Carol Ann Storey and Simon Roberts

Laura was also presented two days earlier with second prize in the advertising campaign category at the Sony World Photo Awards, again at Somerset House. Her pictures were for a German charity highlighting the plight of children caught in marital discord. This is art, fact and the capture of truth before your very eyes. As you would expect, in time-honoured style, they raised interest  with their ability to shock


provoke thought


and encourage comment


Again you have until the 20th of May to catch this exhibition. I was there for three hours yesterday and probably need to go again. Somehow I can't remember what was first prize. Surprising? Not to me, since I came for two helpings of Pannack.




Fujifilm X10

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