One of Portsmouth’s local photographer’s and friend of Strong Island Diana Goss has just received two acceptances for the Southampton International Salon, which is quite some achievement out of over some 10,000 images.

The first image was ‘a n a h a t a‘. This is a self portrait taken at the Cove in the ancient monolithic site in Avebury. These two stones were chosen as they are believed to be the first stones erected and represent the male and female elements of the site. In between these two stones, it is said, exists a vortex of energy which is at its most powerful when the moon shines through those two stones in particular. a n a h a t a is just one of a body work where Diana is using photography to process her life’s challenges and transitions.

The other successful image was’ The Quirky Couple‘. Diana is a night time photographer and even on her commercial work such as wedding photography (and portraiture) she encourages her customers to venture into the night time with her to record their significant life events too. Debbie and Graham, local to Portsmouth, came out at night in their wedding costumes to experience this vibe with her. This image featured the exhibition held locally at the Kitsch d’or restaurant and has also featured in Portsmouth News

Here are a few words from Diana herself. “I have a passion for expressing light in creative ways at night. Lucky enough to grow up in a family of photographers my early years were spent rocking developer trays, holding the hose into the developer tank and hanging out dripping wet images in a little green caravan by the side of the house. My father would often disappear for days on end in this quirky little darkroom.

From those early days watching the light and shadows develop before me, I was hooked on the mystery and subtlety of the interplay of light and exposures. I adore the challenge of night photography. Obtaining light out of the darkness just thrills me. The still of the night holds an ambience for me unlike any other time for shooting. In the night time I become aware of universality of everything, the palpability of earths rotation. The interplay of light, dark, time, (creative vision) and circumstance can amount to much uncertainty but the pay off for such mysterious unknowings is peace, freedom and initiation into the secrets of the night. When others sleep I find a restless desire to explore the endless possibilities hidden in the dark.”

More of her self portrait work will be on display at the Strong Island Round Tower exhibition which begins on the 6th April 2011. More information on the exhibition can be found at www.theroundtower.co.uk and of course by checking up regularly right here on strong-island.co.uk.