Photographic events, stories and random thoughts about life, with the occasional music suggestion for your listening enjoyment.
OK... so it's a blog of sorts!
January 8, 2024
Big news - Gallery Exposure!
Et Al Gallery and Studio on 5th Avenue, Sandgate, Queensland has accepted two of my images for display/sale for January! This is really cool, having a gallery showing off two of my monochrome street photography images, sharing the space with other photographers, ceramicists and sculptors.
Welcome to 2024!
Wow, 6 months disappeared quickly!
I've been planning some new trips for 2024 lately, based on places I've seen travelling around the countryside at 100kph and nowhere to stop! A more common than you think frustration with landscape photographers, seeing wonderful images but nowhere to stop on the side of the road OR with a very large semi behind! Anyway, familiar favourites are on the list like Girraween NP, but some new ones as well -the Warrumbungle's near Coonabarabran in NSW, Winton in central Queensland, possibly Carnarvon Gorge, which I've been to a few times but never really on a photographic trip.
I've also revamped my website, as you would have noticed, trimming it down to my main photographic focus now - landscapes with the odd wildlife photo (just birds at the moment) thrown in.
I've also streamlined my frame making process now and the results just keep getting better. I'm hoping that in the near future I'll be able to offer a range of frame styles which I will be very much looking forward to. The Esk Markets kick off again in a few week on Saturday February 3 so jot that date down and if you're in Esk, come in and say hello. It's always great to meet new people and chat about photo stuff!!
Oh, I almost forgot - I am holding a hopefully regular photo discussion/catch up at Nash Gallery in Esk on the third Thursday of each month at 9:30am for anyone interested. The first will be January 18th, come along and say Hi if you're in town!
July 1, 2023
Catching up
The last month or so has been really hectic after our SA trip to the Flinders. I have sold a few images from that trip, including the one featured below which was framed to the customers requirements. I'm still sorting through the images from the Flinders and to add to the workload, my wife and I have just returned from a 3 week trip to Darwin, where I must say the temperature was just wonderful, which was in stark contrast to todays temps at the local Esk Markets where is struggled to go above 10C! (I'm actually writing this with a fan heater beside me, its gonna be a cold one tonight!) I have made quite a few images from the Darwin trip as well and I have added those to the one from SA, which I think will keep me busy for some time to come. Where to next? Well, it has been suggested to me that venturing to Tassy might be on the cards so some planning will be undertaken over the next few months to work our where and when. Stay tuned. I have also added a few more images to the Places Gallery from recent trips. All images will be available for purchase so if you are interested in any image, please drop me a line via the Contacts page and let me know.
April 22, 2023
Photo trips and other things
From the 13th to the 26th of March, good friend and fellow photographer Gerry De Roo and I travelled to South Australia to photograph the country and hills of the Flinders Ranges. 5,992km in total were travelled from Esk through Bourke and Broken Hill to Yunta, north to Lake Frome and the eastern side of the Flinders, Wilpena and across Moralana Drive to the western side of Wilpena Pound, up to Farina and Lyndhurst, back on the Strezlecki Track to Cameron Corner, Sturt and Currawinya National Parks, then back to Esk. The daily temperature often exceeded 40C, it was dry, dusty and full of flies! What a great trip! There are many great images to be printed, both colour and monochrome, and that will take a while. Some will make it into frames for sale at the Esk Markets and other places.
In regard to frames, word seems to have been spread around and I am now being asked to make frames for other people. Making frames isn't all that difficult, its the frame moulding that is an issue. Even speaking to long term business owners, getting hold of moulding that is straight can be problematic, often the pieces are bent, twisted or warped! But its not impossible to get quite good timber and that is what I am searching for, to provide a quality product. Anyway, we'll see where this ends up!
February 27, 2023
I had photos published!
This months big news... I was fortunate to have two of my street photography images selected and published by an international online magazine, Docu Book Vol 12: The Best of Documentary and Street Photography! This was so cool to be part of a worldwide publication that showcases many talented photographers from all parts of the globe.
The Esk Markets are back on now and one thing that is proving popular are the cards I have been making. Selling for $5 each or 5 for $20, I'm on my second printing run in only 4 market Saturdays. Could be a busy year if it keeps going like this. I'm also making my own photo frames now as I often need non-standard sizes which would cost a fortune to have custom made. Its really satisfying to see an image that I created set in a frame that I made being sold.
January 27, 2023
Where does the time go!
So we're now into the new year, that happened quickly! Quite a few things have happened, visits from our eldest daughter and her family were a highlight, such a happy time. A friend and I are planning a two week photography trip to the Flinders Rangers in March with quite a bit a remote travel, should be an amazing trip. More on that later...
The January exhibition "Reflections" at the Courthouse Gallery in Kilcoy seemed pretty quiet, with a few visitors coming in, but not a lot of feedback. I was happy with the images I had on display but that's the way it goes I guess. And not one sold, quite disappointing!
October 30, 2022
Exhibition time!
My "Around Town" exhibition starts on November 3 and consists of a collection of around 20 black and white images I have created over the 8 years of living in Esk. I have taken many images of this town and the local areas so whittling them down to a few was a bit difficult, but I think the ones that I have printed to people to view are representative of what has been, what is now and a couple of the "stranger" things I have managed to photograph! My challenge to visitors is to see if they can locate or know where each has been taken. The exhibition is on from November 3 to 30. Please stop by the Esk Visitor Information Centre where the Glen Rock Gallery is located. The image here is called "Among the Gums" and is on a popular walking track in Esk. It's available to buy at the Gallery, online in a variety of sizes or soon at the Saturday Esk Markets.
October 7, 2022
Yet again another month flies by! The last few weekends at the Esk Markets have been quite busy, talking to a lot of people about photography, travel and places seen. You meet a lot of interesting people this way. Some new prints for sale this weekend (October 8) and one larger print 22" x 28". This one, on the left, has been printed on a new paper I'm trying for the first time - Ilford Galerie Gold Fibre Pearl. This is a beautiful paper to print on and is one of Ilfords premium archival fine art papers. I'm pretty keen to print some more images on this. Oh, and I just realised, I haven't mentioned some music suggestions for like, forever! So, although it may not be everyones cup of tea, I came across some of Human Natures covers of songs that I thought were really good versions. I'm not usually one to like covers, but these guys have done a great job - have a listen to Runaround Sue (originally by Dion in 1961 after he split with the Belmonts) and Under the Boardwalk (the Drifters 1964) to get you started.
June 10 2022
Looks like winter is here! The last couple of mornings have been relatively cold here in Esk-y and the wind chill factor doesn't help! Getting out of bed at 5am to set up at the local markets is going to be a bit off a challenge to! Next weekend, Saturday the 18th is the Esk Garden and Lifestyle Fair at the park. This is going to be a big day with lots of people coming along and visiting, so the usual Saturday markets will still be happening but we'll be going most of the day. New prints will be on sale as well so come along and drop in and have a chat.
May 2022
Oh dear, its been a while! Well, more rain just after the February event and fortunately for us we faired much better this time round after putting some water diversion things in place. Anyway, its starting to dry out now, but still quite wet under foot. The garden is becoming a rambling jungle so some taming will be in order when I get a chance! We're planning a couple of road trips soon to get more images for the website and market stall so stay tuned.
April 12 2022
Last weekend started my first Esk Country Market and I'll be there most Saturdays from now on. If you're around Esk on any Saturday, come along to the markets and drop in and say hello. I have a range of matted photos in various sizes ready for framing - 6' x 8', 8' x 10', 11' x 14', and 16' x 20 as well as A4 and A3+ sized panoramas. In the coming weeks I'll also have framed images for sale as well from small 6" x 8" up to 26" x 15" panoramas. The photo here was just before it started showering and the sides went up! Fortunately it was only on-and-off light drizzle so nothing became too wet.
March 10 2022
The recent rain events caused untold havoc across two states. We are fortunate where I live as our home was not affected to the same extent as many others. Our house is high set which was good as we had water enter under our house, which is where my new matting and framing room is located. Although not bad at a few inches deep, it did get into my work area which caused a mad panic to get things off the floor and relocate them to a more secure place. It's taken nearly a week to try and dry out with a fan constantly circulating air to reduce humidity. Mould was the next problem, but that now seems to be under control with air circulation and de-humidifying canisters. It'll be a while before I can move things back though. One thing that came out of all this is I now know where water drainage needs to be improved around our place, and the sealing of the water entry points in my work area.
So, the start of this year turned out not so good not just for me, but a whole lot of people - floods in Queensland and New South Wales, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Watching these events around the world is saddening beyond belief. All I pray for is an end to this stupid violence and for help to be available everywhere it's needed.
January 24 2022
The best laid plans...
Ahh well, the year started off well, but soon hit a wall. Due to a number of issues that I have no control over, I will not be taking any photo bookings until at least July this year. It is indeed unfortunate as I was super keen and motivated to make many memorable images this year, which may still happen but its going to just be a little later that I had hoped. I will still be making fine art prints though. You know, this image reminds me of the uncertainty we all have in life. What we know is clear and present sometimes becomes a little blurry, but to know that we all have a guiding light in Jesus Christ gives me great confidence and hope that the ripples I am experiencing will be come clear in time. Who knows the plans that He has, it really doesn't matter, what does matter is having faith in what He is doing in our lives and maintain the faith in His presence, which is a blessing and comfort to those who believe.
January 1, 2022
Welcome to the new year!
2022 is going to be an exciting year. I have a lot of things planned, including travel to capture magnificent landscapes, re-vitalisation of my Social Media input and more printing and exhibitions.
Speaking of exhibitions, I will be a contributing artist to the Old Fire Station Gallery exhibition starting this week, with the official opening at 1pm on Saturday 8th of January. It's located at 395 Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe. I have 3 photographic prints being shown, two monochrome and one colour. I hope to see you there!
If you plan on going, the gallery management have a no vaccination no entry policy and you have to show vaccination status on entry. Masks will be mandatory.
December 6, 2021
Fraser Island Trip
I have just returned from a fantastic 5 day photo trip of K'gari (Fraser Island) with 2 photographer friends. Although we were driving up to Inskip Point and on the island in the rain on day 1, it didn't deter us from looking forward to some amazing scenery. The rain did persist for a few days, but going to sleep to the soft rainfall on the tent at night is just a wonderful experience! We spent 2 nights at Waddy Point, one night on the west coast at Platypus Bay, and the last night at Central Station campground. Some great locations, but with limited time you have to cope with the weather conditions presented to you at the time. Most days were somewhat cloudy, but we still made the most of it. The thing that struck me in all the camps (except Platypus Bay) were that all camp grounds and settlements on the island have dingo exclusion fencing around them now, some electrified. I guess the incidence of dingo intrusions in camp encouraged by people feeding them has led to this. Regardless, this is a place to return to on a future photographic trip, but next time will be a longer stay! So much to explore.
The image to the left is called The Path to Peacefulness and this is exactly what it is. This and other prints are available for sale. Please use the Contacts page if you wish to purchase a print.
November 27, 2021
Matting and Framing workshop!
Just a quick announcement that I'll be running a matting and framing workshop in December through the Somerset Arts Society Inc. If you would like to join in you need to be quick as there are only 6 places available. It'll be a hands-on workshop where participants will be cutting their own mats and foamcore and mounting the images ready for framing and hanging. The framing part is optional, but if you want to frame the matted image you will be doing, bring one along. Maximum frame size is 8 x 10. Go to the SASI website under What We Do for details and registration.
October 25, 2021
Avoid Mediocrity!
Sorry, I just have to get this off my chest! I've just watched a video on animal photography and editing and I have to say I am a little concerned viewers who watch this may think the images are really good and the techniques are the ones to use because the author talks them up so much. Most of what I saw, in my opinion, was a lesson in what not to do! Although some of the introductory images that were shown were really very good, the ones used in the tutorial part of the video were not - exposure was bad, composition was bad (think parts of animals not in the frame, animals walking/facing away from the camera), positioning was bad (completely blank and featureless backgrounds) and the list goes on. I think this is a problem because people getting into wildlife photography, or any form of photography for that matter, may be convinced by the enthusiasm of the presenter this is the way to go. I'm not going to mention who or what the video was, but my point is that in ANY form of photography - portraits, landscapes, wildlife etc, and you're watching stuff on YouTube or any other video source, watch a variety of videos from a variety of authors, it's only then that viewers may find photographers that they gel with. Look, I get it, we all have different styles and approach to photography and this presenter may very well think my photos and editing are rubbish, but when I watch stuff, if scenes in the videos and the photographs that are created do not create an emotional response in me, then it may not be the inspiration I'm looking for. I'd like to think, "Wow, I wish I had taken that"!
October 23, 2021
Camera basics workshop
Just a quick story about a workshop I ran for an enthusiastic and awesome group of photographers in Fernvale on Saturday. We had 8 participants in the group who wanted to learn the basics of camera operation and how to set up for manual exposure. There was quite a range of experience levels, from raw beginners to some who had been taking other courses and had some experience, which really makes it hard to cater for everybody. Nonetheless we covered all the exposure settings, exposure modes as well as setting up for manual exposure, including reading histograms. We also spoke about the importance of file formats and a bit about memory card management. All in all it was a great session and everybody learnt something new.
If you have a group that would like to learn more about photography, from a couple of hours on camera basics to something more involved like landscapes and portraits, then drop an email through the contacts page and we can discuss what you have in mind!
October 12, 2021
Welcome to the new world!
The final coat of paint has dried, a new table installed (actually a door blank), benches renovated and a few things bought. Maybe a shelf or two to put in but for now I now have a fully functional mat cutting and photograph mounting system happening. It feels so good to be able to cut and create my own frame mounts in whatever size I need to, all at a fully archival standard. So I'm now busy printing and mounting images that I have wanted to do for ages, and the next step are the markets. I'm super keen to start selling images at the local markets, again something I've been wanting to do for a long time - can't wait!!
I also have a number of exhibitions happening at the moment and more to print for. Currently I have images on exhibit, and for sale, at the Court House Gallery in Kilcoy and Angies Cafe in Esk, opposite the Esk Information Centre. Next year I have exhibitions in Redcliffe in January (hopefully!) and Glen Rock Gallery in Esk in November. I am also exhibiting as Artist of the Month in Kilcoy in January 2023.
August 13, 2021
Saying goodbye to an old friend
Some of my best ever images have been developed and printed in a traditional darkroom. But, it's been a long time since I last developed black and white neg's and printed any prints, and as a result my poor darkroom had slowly become a place to put stuff! Over the last few days I've had a re-think of the use of the room. I don't shoot anywhere near as much B&W film now, actually none recently, and with the increasing cost of darkroom chemicals and associated materials, I've made the decision to reinvent the room into something more useful and relevant. Stay tuned!
July 28, 2021
Photographic Papers
So, papers are all the same - right? Wrong! Papers can be very different and can make or break an image. So let's have a look at some photographic printing papers.
There are a LOT of papers out there! Selecting the right ones takes time and patience, and fitting in with your style of photography. I select papers based on how I want the final image to look. Do I want to create a really punchy colour or black and white image, or do I want a soft pastel look to the final print? For me it comes down to three things - subject, light and the feeling I want to convey. Images with bold shapes and intense colours or contrasty black and white images work well with these smooth and somewhat shiny papers. If I wanted to create a dreamy look to an image, with a much reduced contrast resulting in a pastel colour pallette. And matte papers, either smooth or textured are, for me, ideal here.
I use a number of papers, each suited to a particular image style so I can get the best result out of my intended feel for the photograph. Canson, a French paper maker, has been in business since 1557, Hahnemuhle is based in Germany and its history can be traced back to 1584, Legion Papers was formed in 1994 as a company that sources some of the finest papers from around the world, designed to their specifications and Epson, known more for their printers and inks, produce some really good papers, with the Traditional Fine Art paper range one of their best.
The types of surfaces available are: matte smooth, matte textured, semi-gloss (lustre), gloss, canvas and double-sided papers.
Here's what I currently use:
The glossy/lustre papers
Epson Traditional Fine Art paper 310 gsm (grams per square meter, a measure of how heavy, or thick the paper is) is a semi-gloss paper I use for punchy colour or monochrome prints. Almost all of my black and white images are printed on this paper.
Canson Platine Fibre Rag 310 gsm A beautiful warm toned paper reminiscent of traditional wet darkroom fibre-based papers. Canson Baryta Photographique 310 gsm is similar which I sometimes use.
Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Pearl 320 gsm, a wonderful semi-gloss paper ideally suited to contrasty black and white images.
The matte papers
Canson Rag Photographique 210 gsm, one of the smoothest matte papers on the market today. It gives exceptional colour and black and white fine art images.
Canson Archers Aquarelle Rag 310 gsm. This paper is just stunning. Anyone who paints in watercolour would know this paper. It is a highly textured matte paper and I have found this is ideally suited to soft pastel coloured images, it is just astounding the feel and look that can be achieved with this paper. I have had many people comment that my images printed on this paper look like paintings! The downside to this paper is the cost, it is quite expensive and despite its glorious surface, I will most likely replace it with the very similar Hahnemuhle paper Torchon when current stock runs out.
Hahnemuhle "William Turner" 190 gsm. This is traditional mould-made textured paper, created by hand. It is an exceptional paper for dreamy pastel landscapes - think fog and mist.
Moab Entrada Natural 310 gsm by Legion Papers I have used for many years and is sometimes said this is one of the best papers made. It is used for warm black and white images and soft colour photographs.
July 24, 2021
Bribie Island, Queensland
Just spent a great couple of days with my son camping at Bribie Island. A fantastic getaway place just an hour from Brisbane. We left a bit late to drive up and ended up searching the beach for our allocated campsite - the signs are a bit hard to see at night! We also helped out a couple of people fully bogged in some incredibly soft sand, and of course ended up getting bogged ourselves. Anyway, everyone ended up getting out and away. Some rain at night, but the sound of it on the top of the tarp is just magical. The next day was almost cloud free and a lot warmer than the night before!
If you would like to purchase this image, please contact me through the Contacts page. It will be available in a range of sizes.
