About Melanie Sinclair BVis Dip.FineArt M.Photog ANZIPP PSQ-A
Mel (Melanie) Sinclair is a Landscape and Creative Photographer based in Ipswich, Queensland.
She is drawn to the quiet tension between intention and accident. Working primarily with landscape and observational imagery, her practice begins with attentiveness, to light, place, and the small, often overlooked details that reveal something human within the environment. She is interested in irony and gentle humour, in moments where effort, ambition, or control are quietly undone by scale, chance, or time.
Her images are shaped by patience and curiosity rather than spectacle. She looks for shapes in the landscape however they were made and records them as she finds them. These forms become stand-ins for interpersonal relationships, reflecting our well-meaning, fallible attempts to impose order, held together by a gentle faith in happenstance.
Ultimately, my work invites viewers to slow down, smile softly, and recognise themselves in the landscape, not as conquerors of place, but as temporary, hopeful participants within it.
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Mel’s journey into photography began with formal study in Fine Arts at university, providing her with a rich foundation across various creative disciplines. This training has deeply influenced her style, allowing her to navigate both contemporary and traditional approaches to fine art photography. As a keen photographic judge, Mel is passionate about helping others improve their craft, embracing the philosophy that “You don’t grow if you don’t know.” Education and guiding others to achieve their best remain at the heart of her practice.
Membership:
2025-Current - NAVA National Association of Visual Artists Australia
Judging:
2025- Australian Photographic Prize - Online and Youtube
2024- Ekka / Royal Queensland Show - Photography Judge
2024- Australian Photographic Prize - Melbourne, VIC.
2024- Current- PSQ Accredited Judge + numerous camera clubs in SEQ
2023- Toowoomba Photographic Society - End of Year Competition
2023- Beaudesert Camera Club - End of Year Competition
2023- Toowoomba Photographic Society vs Howick Camera Club (NZ) Friendly Competition
2023- Ekka (Royal Queensland Show) Photography Judge
2023- Kiama Shellharbour Camera Club
2023- Queensland Camera Group - Scapes
2022- TAFE Qld End of Semester Photography (Diploma + Advanced Certificate)
2021- Gold Coast Photographic Society - Scapes + Open
2021 - Queensland Camera Group - Scapes
2021- TAFE Qld End of Semester Photography (Diploma + Advanced Certificate)
2020 - Brisbane Camera Group Scapes
2019- Redlands International Photography Saloon (FIAP/PSA)
2019 - AIPP Queensland Epson State Awards Judge
2018 - Epson Panoramic Awards :- Open Competition
2018 - Redlands International Photography Saloon (FIAP/PSA)
2018 - AIPP Queensland Epson Professional Photographic Awards (QEPPA)
2017 - AIPP Queensland Epson Professional Photographic Awards (QEPPA)
2016 - Redlands Camera Club Local competition
2015 - Epson Panoramic Awards :- Amateur Competition
Committees / Industry involvement:
2026- Australian Photographic Prize Operations Manager
2025- Current - Australian Photographic Society Portfolio Awards Evaluator
2024- Current - World Photographic Cup Team Australia Committee
2024- Current- Ipswich Artist-Run Initiative (IPSARI)
2023- Current - Queensland Camera Group + Competitions Officer
2021-2025- ArtsConnect Ipswich
2020-2021 - AIPP Awards Committee Member
2018-2019: AIPP Queensland State Events Manager
2017-2018: AIPP Queensland State President
2016-2017: AIPP QLD Council Member - Vice President
2014- 2021 - Former Accredited Professional Photographer with AIPP Queensland. (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) Post Nominals: APP MPhotog
Partnerships:
2014-2017 - One Of a Kind Photography Adventures
2015-2018 NiSi Filters Brands Ambassador
Awards:
2025- Ipswich Art Awards - Photography - Highly Commended
2025- Lethbridge Landscape Prize -Finalist "The Bogan's Ballet"
2024- Highly Commended - Ipswich Art Awards "The Bogan's Ballet"
2024- WINNER - Stanthorpe Art Prize 2024 "The Bogan's Ballet"
2024- WINNER - Stanthorpe Art Prize 2D Print/Media Category winner 2024 "The Bogan's Ballet"
2024- WINNER - Queensland Rail Photo Competition "Kinda Wild" permanent installation Bundamba Train Station, Bundamba, Qld.
2024 - FINALIST - Stanthorpe Art Awards - "The Bogan's Ballet"
2024- FINALIST - Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Prize - Lethbridge Gallery "Sanctuaries"
2024 - FINALIST - Lethbridge Landscape Prize - Lethbridge Gallery "Transpire"
2024- FINALIST - The Alice Prize, Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs NT "The Bogan's Ballet"
2024- FINALIST - 31 West Chambers Art Prize, Santos Place, Brisbane "Witnesses"
2023- FINALIST - Galah Regional Photography Prize M|Arts Precinct Murwillumbah "The Bogan's Ballet"
2023- FINALIST - Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Prize - Lethbridge Gallery "Fragility"
2023- FINALIST - Lethbridge Landscape Prize - Lethbridge Gallery "Linger" (Link to Finalists)
2023- FINALIST - Milburn Landscape Prize- Metcalfe Gallery - Brisbane Institute of Art "Keeping Score" (announcement)
2021- Stanthorpe Photography Awards - Finalist "Pick-Up Sticks" and "Dead Center"
2021 - The Mono Awards - Places Category Winner "Pick-Up Sticks"
2020 - Australian Photography Awards - Places Finalist - 5th Place.
2020 - Semi-Finalist AIPP "Silver Lining Awards" Category; Isolated
2019 - AIPP Queensland Epson Professional Photographer of the Year Awards- Landscape Category Finalist.
2018 - Australian Photography Awards - FINALIST - Landscape Category
2016- Australian Professional Photography Awards - FINALIST - Australian Professional Creative Photographer Of The Year
2016 - Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA) 1xGold Distinction award, 2x Silver with Distinction awards, 1 x Silver Award
2016 - Queensland Epson Professional Photography Awards - 1 Gold award.
2015 - Golden Shopping Trolley Awards Top 40 - Finalist.
2015 - Photo Travel Awards - 1x PSA Ribbon, 2x IUP Ribbons
2015- Achieved Associate (yellow) AIPP Honours level - AAIPP
2015- Australian Professional Photography Awards (APPA) 2 Silver awards, 1 Silver Distinction
2015 - Queensland Accredited Professional Photography Awards - 2 Silver awards - Landscape
2014 - International Loupe Awards - 2 Bronze Merit awards - Open Landscape and Science & Nature
2014 - Golden Shopping Trolley Awards "Golden Shopping Trolley Category" Winner
2014 - Landscape Photographers Network Competition "Street" - Winner
2014 - AIPP APPA (Australian Professional Photography Awards) - 1 Silver Distinction, 2 Silver Awards
2014 - Capture Magazine "Australia's Top Emerging Photographers" Landscape - Finalist
2013 - Global Arctic Awards - Finalist - "The Epitome of Enchanted Elegance"
2013- International Loupe Awards - 1 Silver Amateur, 3 Bronze Landscape, Amateur awards.
2013- Better Photography "Photograph of the Year Award 2013" - 5 Silvers, 2 Bronze.
2013- Epson International Pano Awards - 8 Bronze.
2012- Winner QORF “It’s Better Outdoors” Photography Competition. Natural Wonders section.
2012 – International Loupe Awards – Amateur Awards – 3x Bronze. Open Awards 1x Silver (Top 50 Landscape Amateur, Position 26)
2012 – Better Photography, Photograph of the Year 2012 – 5x Bronze
2012- Better Digital Camera Award 2012 – 1x Silver, 4x Bronze
2011 – International Aperture Awards – 3rd Place Amateur Landscape Finalist, plus 1 Gold, 2 Silver and 2 Bronze Awards.
2011 – Better Photography Photograph of The Year Competition 2011 – 1xSilver, 6xBronze.
2011 -Canon EOS 1 Wall – Peoples Choice Finalist
2010 -Nikon Australia MyNikonLife – Things That Make You Shiver Award
Winner : Photograph The Hitchhiker
2010 -International Aperture Awards – Top 50 Places Finalist. 4xSilver, 1xBronze Merit Awards
2010 -Landscape 500 – 1xSilver, 3xBronze Merit Awards
2010 -Better Photography, Photograph of The Year Award 4 Bronze Merit Awards
2009 -Lensbaby “Get Published” Highly Commended - Displayed in exhibition in Washington DC
Publications:
2022- Ipswich News - Arts - feature artist for upcoming show.
2022- A-P-S (Australian Photographic Society) eNews - "A Question of Safety" September 2022 (link)
2022- A-P-S (Australian Photographic Society) eNews - "Minimalism" August 2022 (link)
2020 - Loud and Luminous - selected for exhibition
2019 - Gear Review: Nikon 20mm 1.8 on Shotkit
2019- Shotkit Featured
2019- Capture Magazine "From Frustration to Inspiration" Top photographers share insights to Creativity
2015 - Cover image John Grisham novel "Rogue Lawyer"
2014 - SLR Lounge Online Feature Spectacular Landscapes by Mel Sinclair
2014 - Global Arctic Awards "Best Arctic Photographs" Book with "The Epitome"
2013 – Australian Photography and Digital Magazine – Readers Images – 2 page spread. Blog Link
2012- Online – 15 Most Inspirational Photographers on 500px
2011 -Camera Magazine – March/April Issue 2011 World of EOS Promotion – EOS 1 Wall Winners, Page 37
2011 -Better Digital Camera- Issue 40 – Readers Images
2007 -RedBubble “Gaia” Book – Image ‘Quiet Little Corner of The World”
2004 -ICE Magazine- Issue 2 – Cover Image – AvantCard Publications
Exhibitions:
2025- Ipswich Art Awards - Photography
2025- Lethbridge Landscape Prize - Lethbridge Gallery, Paddington
2025 - "Lost Trades" Ipswich Community Gallery - IPSARI
2024- "Otherworldly" group show, Richard Randall Art Studio, Mt Coot-tha
2024- The Alice Prize (Alice Springs)
2024- Lethbridge 20,000 Small Scale Art Awards
2024- Lethbridge Landscape Prize
2023- Galah Regional Photography Prize exhibition finalist
2023- Lethbridge 20000 Small Scale Art Award Finalist "Fragility"
2023 - Lethbridge Landscape Prize- Lethbridge Gallery Paddington, Finalist "Linger" Exhibition runs May 6-23
2023 - Milburn Art Prize Finalist - Brisbane Institute of Art Metcalfe Gallery May 5-26
2022- Solo Exhibit "Aura" Arts Alive Ipswich Gallery October 14-22nd
2021- Loud and Luminous - POP Gallery Fortitude Valley, Qld Australia
2007 -Class of 2007 Graduating Visual Arts – QUT
2009 -Raw Convergence Photography Exhibition 2009 – Art Factory Gallery
2010 -Raw Convergence Photography Exhibition 2010 – Art Factory Gallery
2010 -Differing Visions Photography Exhibition – Kaliber, Fortitude Valley
2011 -Lensbaby “Be Seen in DC” Photographic Exhibition – Washington School of Photography March 2011
2012- Current – “The Epitome of Enchanted Elegance” – Cow’n'Calf Gallery, Stanley, Tasmania Link
2013- Current - "A Thing Called Love" - Cow'n'Calf Gallery, Stanley, Tasmania
Curated:
2010 -Differing Visions Photography Exhibition– Kaliber, Fortitude Valley
2010 -FreshOut Festival- Street Culture/ Style Festival – Art Coordinator