"Made in Aizu" photo competition winners

Congratulations to the winners of the Sigma Imaging UK (Ltd.) “Made in Aizu’ photo competition for being selected to participate in this unique opportunity to photograph the Geisha’s of Aizu in the heart of London.

The manufacturing of Sigma Global Vision products takes place in our Aizu (Aizuwakamatsu), Japan factory. It is our sole production base and makes us proud to be one of a few companies who can claim a #MadeinJapan title. Aizu is located on the west side of Fukushima Prefecture in the southern part of the Tohoku Region of Japan. It has over 1200 years of Buddhist history, deep roots in samurai culture and is rich in natural beauties that include the hot springs of Mt. Bandai and Lake Inawashiro.

The Aizu’s Geigi (also known as “geisha”) has a long history that is said to stretch back to Japan’s Edo period (1603 to 1868). It is a Japanese tradition of unique customs and performing arts that have remained unchanged and has survived to this day as a stylish aspect of Japanese culture.

#SIGMAUK hosted a special Japanese culture event in London and teamed up with Amateur Photographer to offer 10 lucky readers a workshop photographing Japanese Geisha’s with top portrait and fashion photographer, Dave Kai Piper.

The 10 lucky winners chosen for the event:

Sarah Mawdsley, 1st Place and winner of the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art lens
Paul Warburton
Dafydd Cyf
Julie Cavell
Steve James
Steve Mundy
Andrew Robertson
Ian Taylor
Dominic Beaven
Anna Marie Binova

You can see their winning entries on the following PhotoCrowd link: https://www.photocrowd.com/photo-competitions/portraits-5-portraiture-photo-contest-6152/expert-choices/

The Geisha's of Aizu wait to be formerly introduced

Guests are entertained by a series of traditional dances.

Winning photographers recording the Geisha dance

Introduction by photographer Dave Kai Piper

An open discussion including tips on portrait photography by Dave Kai Piper

Dave Kai Piper shares his wisdom with the winners

Dave Kai Piper reviewing the results and helping with the captures

Each photographer is given the opportunity for a 1:1 portrait session with a Geisha

Winner of the SIGMA 50mm F1.4 DG HSM | Art lens is announced by Geoff Harris

Sarah Mawdsley awarded the winning prize by Geoff Harris from Amateur Photographer and Paul Reynolds from Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd.

The winning finalists of the "Made in Aizu" photo competition with Geoff Harris of Amateur Photographer and Paul Reynolds of Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd. along with the Geisha's of Aizu

All of the above images were captured by SCA Paul Monaghan with either the SIGMA dp0 Quattro or the SIGMA sd Quattro H with the SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Art lens or the SIGMA 50-100mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art lens.