Aussielicious

Finally, the time has come for you all to cast your votes in the “Favourite Place” photography challenge. Initially when I set the challenge, the idea was to submit a photo of your favourite place within your home city. Clearly I’ve relaxed those rules because so many people sent in photos from National Parks, camping grounds etc, but I’m happy with that.

All the entries can be seen over at the new Aussielicious Challenge site. There are 43 entries over 5 pages there so take your time and make sure you’ve seen them all and judged them on their own merits. I will ask you to keep in mind the spirit of the challenge. The winner of this challenge receives a gift of Curtis’ self portrait that won the Self Portrait Challenge. A print of the winning entry from THIS challenge will be the gift to the winner of the next challenge so when you are looking at all the entries, keep in mind that it should fill the criteria of being suitable to print and frame on a wall in someone’s home.

Thank you to everyone who has entered this challenge. It’s been fantastic to see all the beautiful photos landing in my inbox and to see some of the places in the world that you are lucky enough to call home. The photo at the top of this post is one of my favourite spots in the world and in my home city. It’s a photo taken on Sydney Harbour of our iconic Sydney Opera House.

Go voting!

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So, the entries have closed in the Favourite Place photographic challenge. I’ll be posting the voting shenanigans probably tomorrow or maybe I’ll leave it til the weekend. The final two entries came in overnight here in Sydney and are from the US so they meet the deadline.

Mark sent this beautiful golden sunlight shot of Jersey. Now to me, if that’s the real Jersey Shore then the tv show should have been much more attractive.

The final entry for the competition has come from Scott with a great photo of Mt Ranier in Washington. What a beautiful spot. I know it’s a favourite of the Scenic Boys.

Esteban has sent in this beautiful image of a place called Medellin in Colombia. Imagine having that view when you wake up every morning! What a beautiful place. For those of you still wanting to submit photos for this Favourite Place challenge, you have less than 24 hours, it’s your last day! Email them to me at brenton.parry@gmail.com

Last week I posted my wish list of celebrities that I would LOVE to photograph. While I was writing that post I had a nagging feeling that there was someone else but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember who it was. Unlike the other celebrities on that list, I know exactly how I want to photograph Matthew. I don’t know who would fund the shoot because there would be a bit of set building, but by god it would be a good shoot.

I hope that Matthew is having a great perparation for the Olympics in London later this year. He seems like such a nice guy.

The perks of having a new computer are constant joys and reminders of why you upgraded from the old one that didn’t have enough life in it to do things you wanted to do.

One of those things was to put books together, mainly for myself rather than a traditional album, to display my photos from the trip to Burning Man and New York. I didn’t take many photos in Vegas as I had trouble settling in to that city. I’ve just uploaded two books on Blurb. If any of you want to buy them you can, but even if you just want to have a look, you can do that too.

Burning Man by Brenton Parry | Make Your Own Book

New York New York by Brenton Parry | Make Your Own Book

I’ve been losing sleep lately worrying about getting all the shots done for my exhibition in time to get them printed and framed ready for the June exhibition. I’ve approached a few guys I know (barely) through friends on facebook and one of them after lots of vague silences and unsuredness said he would model for me. He’s a beautiful guy but had been warned about people asking him to pose nude, understandably. I’ve given up on him as he just doesn’t bother getting back to me and I have deadlines to get things done.

The solution? For that shoot that I had planned, I’m shooting Matteo once more. Matteo was the gorgeous and very patient man that I covered in talcum powder for my last exhibition. He and his spectacular butt will be (all going to plan) in front of my camera this weekend. Thankfully Matteo isn’t shy at all, as he’ll be getting nude in a place where we may get caught. That’s the trouble with stepping outside the studio. I can’t wait to get another shot or two for the exhibition and working with Matteo again will be fun.

As a photographer that likes and is more comfortable shooting people than landscapes or architecture, it’s only natural that I have dreams and aspirations to photograph celebrities one day. Whether that is for editorial, fashion or purely artistic endeavours, I don’t mind but I’m slowly compiling a wish list.

It’s no surprise to anyone reading this that I would love to shoot Ms Minogue. I have ideas already to go for Kylie, and have done for years. If you are reading this Kylie, please feel free to contact me. Oh who am I kidding. I’ll have to stalk her into submission.

The others on my list so far, as above, are Megan Gale because I think she is absolutely stunning and represents a healthy athletic glamazon woman with exquisite features. I’ve seen her look quite different in a range of shoot and I think she’d be amazing to work with. Didier Cohen, former face of Industrie Clothing and now developing a name for himself in tv and radio. I’m not normally into tattoos but there is something so very sexy about Didier. Ryan Kwanten, the bad boy heart breaker from True Blood, down to earth aussie and by all reports, lovely guy is on the list for all those reasons and because I would just love to shoot him.

Tonight we have two more entries in the Favourite Place challenge! Peter is a long time reader and commenter here at Aussielicious, all the way from Amsterdam where he took this beautiful photo.

On the other side of the world comes this colourful streetscape from Bob who took this photo in Paraty, Brazil.

Just one entry for you to enjoy tonight. It seems the entries are slowing down. You’ve still got two weeks to enter a photo of your favourite place. This is from Steven who loves this view of Manhattan. I have to say, it’s pretty fantastic. I loved Manhattan.

It’s back into the Favourite Place challenge this evening with four more beautiful entries! First up is Brad’s entry of a beautiful Leopard in a Johannesburg Safari Park.

Jason has sent in this very cool image of Silverstrand Beach, Ventura County, California.

Next up with a beautiful shot of Alexandra Headland in Queensland is Steve.

Gary is fortunate/brave enough to live with a stunning view out his window of an active volcano in Guatemala!

It’s no secret that Bruce Weber is one of the most talented and iconic photographers of our time. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan. It’s also no secret that the lucky man gets to shoot some stunning nude people. This video is one from “Chop Suey Club” a book and documentary by Bruce based around his time shooting Peter Johnson who was his muse for a long time.

Peter was a midwest wrestler who happened to be extraordinarily beautiful. Being Bruce’s muse certainly gave him some experiences. How many people get the opportunity to run around nude on a beach playing with a gorgeous elephant? Not many.

We have three more entries in the Favourite Place challenge today.

Chris’ favourite place was in the air, seeing a beautiful sunset somewhere between LA and Aspen.

Sammie has shared this beautiful photo of Yosemite Falls in the Yosemite National Park. That looks like a great spot!

In Wellington NZ, Don has photographed this sculpture for his entry.

Today’s first entry is from a friend and in some ways doesn’t qualify for the competition as he is in the photo rather than having taken it, but I said I would post it anyway. This is Ulo in his favourite spot, on Sydney Harbour.

John has sent in this beautiful photo of the Indian Pacific train which crosses Australia from one side to the other.

Andreas’ favourite place is in his beautiful city of Ystad in Sweden.

Andy’s favourite place is by the river in La Crosse in Wisconsin.

Shane has sent in this beautiful shot in Cairns in Australia’s far North Queensland.

I’m bringing you 7 more entries today for the Favourite Place competition. I have to say I’m really impressed by the quality of the images and also the fact that some of your favourite places are where the entrants love to escape to with a loved one and enjoy some quiet time naked.

I will be away from today until New Year’s Eve so this will be the last post on the competition til I’m back.

Ken has sent this photo in of a sculpture in Congress Park Saratoga.

Nic has sent this beautiful photo near Boroka Lookout in the Grampians in Victoria, Australia.

Nic’s partner Tim has entered this gorgeous shot on the way to Turret Falls, also in the Grampians.

Sung has sent in this very colourful shot of a temple roof in Hualain near Taiwan.

From Denver, David has sent in this cool photo of a public art piece, a giant blue bear looking in the window of the Convention Centre.

Next up a couple, Shim and Michael have sent this gorgeous photo from Shining Rock Wilderness, Asheville where they like to camp and swim nude.

Lastly for today we have a shot sent in by Guy, of the lake on his property in New Zealand where apparently, if you don’t mind eels, you can swim nude quite happily.

Tonight’s first entry comes from Jim with a beautiful shot of Longbeach.

Second is Lee with a shot that typifies what I know of Melbourne!

Third is Ritchie with a shot of a very cold, crisp and beautiful field in Kent, UK.

Fourth is Dave’s entry of the glorious coast near Marseille in France.

Fifth and final entry tonight comes from Evan with a shot of Sydney at the Sydney Festival