Local photographer wins Texas award
Dripping Springs photographer, and Century News contributor, Dave Wilson recently won First Place in the Texas Photographic Society Members Exhibition Show. The winning photo, titled “Taping Up,” was taken at Dripping Springs Ranch Park during a fundraising bull riding event.
The photo will be part of an exhibition scheduled for September 7 through October 13, at the ArtWorks Gallery, 1214 W 6th St, in Austin. Wilson’s photo competed against 925 other entries.
“‘Getting Taped’ was taken during the Bailey’s Riding On A Dream bull riding competition in May 2018 while I was covering the event for the Ranch Park,” Wilson said. “I have an ongoing ‘Rodeo Portraits’ project and like to spend a fair bit of time during events behind the scenes taking pictures as the competitors prepare to ride. In this case, the sunlight streaming in the back door of the arena side-lit one of the cowboys as he was taping his hands and resulted in fantastic texture and atmosphere in the image.”
Wilson’s interest in photography started early. “My interest in photography began in high school in Scotland when I joined a group of friends and took over a disused darkroom in the science building of Lanark Grammar School,” Wilson said. “We spent the weekends taking pictures around our home town then used the darkroom to process them in free periods and lunchtimes during the week. This led to frequent assignments for the two local newspapers (I was involved in Boy Scouts and church youth group and the papers were always keen for more material) and later to working on the photo staff at the Glasgow University Guardian while studying there. At this time, I also joined Lanark Camera Club and started entering competitions and being inspired by visiting photographers and their lectures.”
Although Wilson’s adult career has been in software, he’s remained active in photography in a semi-professional way.
“I have been involved in local camera clubs and photographic societies in the UK and U.S. since my move to Texas in 1994,” Wilson said. “I am currently a member of the Photographers of Dripping Springs (our local and excellent camera club), Austin Photo Night (a very inspirational gathering of photojournalists), Austin Professional Photographers Association, Texas Professional Photographers Association, the Texas Photographic Society and the NxNW Photography Group. NxNW is a group of photobloggers from around the US who gather for a long-weekend photography retreat once a year.”
Wilson said that while he has traditionally loved shooting architecture and landscapes, his interest of late has shifted more towards sports, such as motorsports and rodeos, as well as portraits. His current project of “Rodeo Portraits” combines both these areas of interest, and led to his winning photo “Taping Up.”
“I’m surprised, delighted and honored to be awarded First Place in this year's Texas Photographic Society Members' Only Show. It’s a great privilege to be among so many talented artists who share my passion for photography,” Wilson said.