More Images I have been playing with.

The First is a Self portrait done on a long exposure under a creepy bridge on a tri-pod, hoping that no one would run up and steal my camera.   The Second is just one of some still life pics that i took.

Peace,

Fun with new 12-24mm lens... and Photoshop

Once again going out with the intention of shooting Canberra folio stuff I came across this cool church just outside Manuka. Not sure what its called but is a fine piece of architecture. I made this next image mucking around in Photoshop.

      

The image on the right isnt the original, but i put it there to show how it was lit when i shot it.

Canberra, Experimental movement/folio.

Since Julian showed us that image of a highway on long exposure, blured head lights ect. we've all seen that before. But i got inspired and tried to recreate that. I went out armed with my film camera (trying to get some shots for the Canberra folio/ Urban landscape DOF and movement) and of course my Digital tagged along too.  and set myself up during peak hour, and created an image that i was surprised with the result.

This one was from the digital, so i had some fun fixing minor exposure stuff and removing a speed sign from the left centre using the clone tool, makes it look a bit more symmetrical.  I took the same exposure on my film SLR, hope it comes out good.

Peace out.

Portrait Gallery- Photographic Portrait Prize 09'

Portrait Gallery; I really enjoyed the new exhibition, allot of really great work with lots of character, Life, colour, and a great sense of personality and story behind most of those faces.  So picking a favorite  was challenging and finding one that i didnt think deserved to be there was even harder.

So coming away with a list of Five or more favorites that i just couldnt pick at the time, I've chosen the piece 'Ruby' By Chris Budgeon, Digital print.  Unfortunately  I dont think the web image does it much justice, but here it is anyways.

The image on display is a large one, large enough to notice how crisp and precise the details are in the photo, down to the fine blades of grass.  Because,  i think, a sharp well detailed image is a very major aesthetic prerequisite for me to be able to enjoy an image.  Another thing that i need to see to enjoy and image is evidence of intent, whether you know what it is or not, i find it intriguing to see small things like facial expression to show emotion, or in this case how the girl (i presume is Ruby) is lit. The red light from the side, and how the patch of grass is spotlighting her against the darkened background (looked darker on the hanging) made her seem as though she doesn't belong in the scene.  With the added, almost cliche, wind on the dress comes across as ghostly.   These are just some of the aspects of this image that made it aesthetically appealing and intriguing for me.

This next Image on the other hand didnt have any difficulty deciding that it was my least favorite, to a point where i could say i disliked this image.  'Puddled State' by David Wills left me artistically numb.

 ... I didnt like this image because; Its flat and thats not a printing error i think its a dull subject. there is nothing in this image that jumps out at me at all, no sense of character, no feeling or emotion, no sense of this persons self and not even any pretty colours. this could have been compensated with some outstanding technical aesthetics, like some leading lines or pavement patterns or an interesting object on the pavement for the subject to interact with... But there's not. This image is flat on soo many levels.

Peace Out.

Australian War Memorial

Well a bit out of order and maybe over due, But i will start with a comparison of the similarities and differences between photographs of old and of new found in the AWM.

(Left - Right)

James Quinn 1871-1951; No date for the painting, but lets assume its around 1940.

Nancy Bird-Walton; yet again no exact date, from what i could gather it was around 1942.

David 'Dare' Parker; c. April, May 2003.   (Images courtesy of awm.gov.au)

Firstly a similarity of earlier portraits, painted or photographed.  Both of which i found have a similar feel to them; Flat, quite neutral facial expressions and stance, easy to hold positions, could be similar because there was old fashioned mentality about what a portrait should look like or because the camera exposures took almost as long as the paintings.

Now moving on from 1940s- 2003.  One of the main changes in portraiture in particular, apart from obvious change in technology (hence changing the manner in which these photographs are taken) I found is the style.  More modern portraits tell a bit more story about the person, capturing more an essence of the person rather than just a nice picture.  In the above examples, even a quick glance at David Parker (right) could tell you that he is a photographer and with a rugged kind of background we might guess he is field photographer.  Whereas to look at Nancy Bird-Walton (middle)  It would be very difficult to tell that she was part of the Woman's Air Training Corps or the president of Australian Woman's Flying Club. I think maybe if this portrait was retaken today it might be taken in front of an air-craft or holding a pilots helmet, or something of the sorts.

National Portrait Gallery

'Martin Sharp' (c 1986)

By Gary Shead

(image from www.Portrait.gov.au)

I was originally drawn to this picture because of its surreal, carnival like feel about it. unfortunately in this image you cant see that 'Mickey Mouse' like character bottom right has a 3D hand that comes out over the frame.  After reading about Martin turns out this feel was rather fitting.  Martin was not only a cartoonist, But Head designer and artist of Sydneys refurbished Luna Park, also a well respected australian Pop-artist. I really like this oil on canvas, its vibrant and creates a good picture in my head of this mans character.

'Michael Klim' (c. 1999)

By Anderson & Low

(www.portrait.gov.au)

I really thought this was a beautiful Photograph, using symmetry, shadow and Black n White to build this image of strength and power... along with the 'hero-like' stance he is in.  Michael Klim won Gold for australia in several world championships and Some gold for australia in two Olympic games along with some world records. Power and strength is a fitting way to portray this Australian swim legend.