foto Priority

Wesley Mission Photographic Competition

Although the prizes won’t send you running for your safety deposit box, the cause is definitely a good one! Plus it’s a great way to cut your teeth on a smaller local contest rather than a faceless online money grab.

The contest is being judged by Verity Cambers, Photo Editor, SMH

Closing date is: 20th September, 2009

Full details are available at www.wesleymission.org.au/photocomp

ok well this is pretty awesome! I’m sure most have you seen or heard of “painting with light” this technique involves leaving the shutter open and using a light source whether it be a torch, lighter or even a sparkler to create words or shapes!

Aissa Logerot has now taken this technique that one step further. From Aissa’s site:

halo is a handy light-writing tool, preserving the techniques and gestures that graffiti artists use with spray cans. It is possible to change the colour and the brightness of the led to change the graffiti’s styles. If the light doesn’t have enough battery, users simply have to shake it to have energy again.

the prototype:

Hold off! put the Credit card away, Halo is not being produced commercially just yet, Aissa Logerot is in talks with companies to develop this little gem. We’ll keep you posted with any developing news!

Entries Close – Friday 25 September

The Photography Competition is a signature event of the 2009 Mosman Festival.

Photographs will be selected from competition entries to be exhibited at the Mosman Art Gallery during the Festival.

The theme is open and photographs may be of any subject. A separate prize will be awarded to a photograph with a Mosman subject.

The competition is now in its third year and aims to attract entries from photographers of all ages including professionals, amateurs and students.

Prizes include:

• Professional Category $1000
• Amateur Category $500
• Secondary Students Category $200
• Primary Students Category $100
• Viewers Choice Award $200
• Mosman Subject Prize $200

The competition will be judged by Tamara Voninski, Photo Editor for Fairfax Magazines and founding member of Oculi photographic collection.

DOWNLOAD ENTRY FORM

This street scene in Capetown, South Africa, has a certain energy. The heady mix of people, the fire and intrigued onlookers focus your attention immediately. Creating travel shots with impact is a challenge. Briefly today I will discuss how to make the most of your location.

The presence you exude will be noticed by everyone. Do you appear threatening ? – you may not feel any malice toward anyone yet be conveying such messages by wearing big boots, camouflage gear, bandanas etc. That and your camera equipment will leave an impression on everyone as to what sort of tourist you are.

So, the message is, research your destination and try to fit in as much as possible, that way not drawing any unnecessary attention to yourself. This is all before you have even started thinking about whom or what you are going to photograph.

However, if and when you decide to approach someone for their permission to take a photo, they may be more agreeable, and this is the key to good portraits. Talk to them without the camera, develop some rapport and then, having thought through your image, ask them for permission and possibly to pose.

When shooting candids better to use a long lens wide open eg f2.8 to isolate your subject and allow some distance between you and your subject. Otherwise if you have a wide zoom eg. 17 – 35 mm or even 28 – 70 get in close to the action and catch some interesting results observing the movement of people on the sides of the frame. Also with a standard 50 mm lens, their often fast apertures eg f 1.4 allow you to shoot as the eye sees and in low light !

Always buy insurance unless you can afford to lose your gear. It is often stolen, damaged in transit, breaks down under the more extremes of weather and handling or accidentally left in the taxi. Be aware of the detail of your insurance contract regarding replacement values, especially if all “electrical items” are covered under the one category. Know the procedure to enact a claim. Be prepared to wait.

Minimise damage by using UV filters, lens hoods and lens caps, always. Clean your gear as often as you can with lens tissue and blower brush.

Safety is also something to consider. Broadly, be aware of your environment – is it poor, does it have high crime statistics, ask these sort of questions, and adapt your manner accordingly whilst shooting. If in a known hot spot, take minimal gear or have it in different pockets in case your bag is snatched. Keep your eyes peeled, so minimise filter, lens and exposure changes to free up your alertness. This heightened sensitivity and possibly adrenalin fueled focus can yield some string images. Don’t linger around the one spot for too long and keep others aware that you are aware.

Back to the image. All attention is focused on the flame and his face. Only the outstretched hand of a deranged beggar can divert a few eyes from the spectacle in front of them. The normally boisterous bunch of boys in front also live on the street and normally don’t miss a chance to thieve whilst a show is on, but they are completely engrossed, and this helps the impact of the shot, both compositionally and contextually.

Article by Benjamin Lee

Here’s a Travel Photography Contest worth looking at. PDN have been an endless source of inspiration for me throughout my photographic career and I always hold their contests in very high regard. If you’re not planning to enter, at least have a look through the entries and walk away feeling inspired. Good luck!!

Daniel Linnet

If you’re keen to get the most out of your DSLR and want a fun, relaxed environment to fine tune or learn new skills, this workshop is just what you’re looking for.

The first of five “shots” at the Art house workshops kicked off last Tuesday night.  The night’s topic was Exposure Demystified.

Breaking from the usual format, Daniel began shooting the model before the class began.  This appeared to get the creative juices flowing and many of the students grabbed their cameras and began shooting away!

The format of the workshop’s has been changed slightly from last semester with the absence of a microphone.  Daniel delivered a more A Capella style, getting up close and personal.

The students also had more time to shoot this time around; as they walked into the Attic bar, grabbed a drink and started shooting almost immediately. This approach seemed to work well in encouraging the students to get creative!

Daniel was in fine form (even if he does say so himself) running through some technical, yet must-know information.  This was followed by time for the students to put into practice what they had just learnt, leaving the model seeing stars!  Overall everyone had a great time with even the bar staff getting involved!

The most valuable thing about a workshop is that the students are forced to focus their energy on photography. If you were disciplined enough to take a week off and pursue a personal photography project for that week, you would get much of the benefit of a workshop. However, if you want the encouragement of being surrounded by those who are serious about photography and the expertise of an instructor, then an SPW workshop is for you.

Jose

For more info on shots including future dates check out “Shots”

TIME Magazine from it’s humble beginnings has featured some of the most iconic images of our time. This forthcoming Sydney exhibition would definitely be one NOT to miss.

Follow the link below to hear Michael Elliott, the editor of TIME magazine international, speak about the power of the magazine’s iconic cover portraiture as an exhibition marking 50 years of the magazine’s publication in Australia and New Zealand opens in Sydney’s Customs House.

LISTEN HERE