Taken in Hong Kong March 2014. Another ripper from the International Finance Centre. Make sure you give it a good look if you are in town. The simplicity of this image is what I love. Simple tones and colours, clearly framed in three key blocks, let the composition elements stand out. Things in threes continue […]
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Urbanity Image Review #6
November 29, 2014 
3 Comments
Another image taken in Hong Kong, March 2014. Taken at night in the bright lights that don’t seem to have an off switch. The complete cool indifference of the girl to her surroundings is a universal truth for all “door bitches” around the world. She is some kind of gatekeeper for the “VIP Bar” up […]
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Creating Impact – Free Ebook Online – Review
November 28, 2014 0 Comments
Photographers who take the time to think about their technique, dissect it, and share it are my favourites! After doing some more web research recently, I came across Marie Laigneau’s wonderful little ebook called “Creating Impact”. You can tell how much I liked it by my copious notes captured in the image above… Laigneau is […]
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Does Street Photography Matter?
November 22, 2014 11 Comments
“At a time when fewer and fewer of the images we see are honest representations of real life, their [Street Photographers] work is more vital than ever.” Sophie Howarth & Stephen McLaren, Street Photography Now My focus has been so heavily weighted to preparing for the Urbanity Exhibition this year, that it has been some time […]
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Ricoh GR Digital Compact
November 21, 2014 18 Comments
Mid to long focal lengths have been my preferred lenses to reach for when heading out to see what is out there to photograph. My absolute favourite (which will probably change next week – like my fave camera of the week) is 135mm on 35mm. Long enough to get closer, and still short enough to […]
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Free Download of Urbanity Exhibition Catalogue
November 16, 2014 0 Comments
The Urbanity Exhibition is now complete for 2014! Thanks to those who dropped in to have a look, and a little extra to the peeps who purchased a framed print. If you missed the exhibition, feel free to download a PDF version of the exhibition image catalogue by clicking on the link here : UrbanityCatalogue If you […]
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The Easiest Way to Develop B&W Film. Ever.
November 15, 2014 14 Comments
You no longer have an excuse. Stand Developing is virtually impossible to muff. Have a crack at it, and be surprised at how easy it can be! Developing your own Black and White film is part of the whole analogue experience. Messing about with chemicals, reels etc can be a little daunting at first. Most people […]
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Urbanity Image Review #5
November 14, 2014 2 Comments
Beware, I get a bit more technical liney on this one… Taken in Hong Kong, March 2014. I am pretty sure this was at the International Finance Center. A perfect set of circumstances for black and white film… The IFC is surrounded by some awesome overhead covered walkways and connects through to the Hong Kong […]
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Book Review – “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon
November 12, 2014 4 Comments
I was in need of a quick self directed creative workshop, so I downloaded a copy of “Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon for my Kindle App. I missed the tactile nature of a book and kinda missed out on the groovy pics and graphics that seem to always work better in the print […]
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Urbanity Image Review #4
November 8, 2014 1 Comment
Taken in Hong Kong, March 2014. For the record, I shot a total of 32 rolls of Ilford HP5 and AGFA APX 400 on this trip – approximately 1000 shots for a total of 13 final images for the exhibition. A hit rate of 1.3% if my math is correct? Hmmm, if you are going […]
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Urbanity Image Review #3
November 7, 2014 4 Comments
Taken in Melbourne, August 2014. Location is Degraves Street, I think? The Flinders Street end. The only image in the collection leveraging the use of a model. Sometimes ya gotta try new things. There were a few ideas I had that were going to be much easier to realise with a more predictable set of […]
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Urbanity Image Review #2
November 5, 2014 1 Comment
Taken in Hong Kong, March 2014. Some careful preparation rewarded with an opportunity. The Hong Kong Cultural Centre is regarded by many as one of the worst eyesores in the city. It looks just like a massive block of concrete, without windows, without hope, like a jail. The concrete provides some great texture and […]
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Urbanity Image Review #1
November 3, 2014 6 Comments
Taken in Hong Kong, March 2014. A somewhat “lucky” shot. There are three distinct planes in the image defined by the location of each of the subjects. I am starting to love finding different, clearly defined planes in images. The suggested lines of diminishing perspective (the long arrows!) are accentuated by the lateral lines of the […]
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Urbanity Photographic Exhibition – The Story
November 3, 2014 5 Comments
Below is an updated article (original here) featured in the Image Catalogue for the Urbanity Exhibition. Over the next weeks, I will be presenting a review of each image and some thoughts around why it appealed to me. Ever found that you have started taking the same image over and over? A particular type of […]
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Thoughts on Preparing for an Exhibition
November 2, 2014 3 Comments
Only a couple of hours until the joint exhibition I am hosting with Roberts Birze opens. Thought it might be worth sharing some more thoughts in general on exhibitions. 1. Yes, You Should Hold an Exhibition. No matter if it is putting up some photos in coffee shop with the permission of the owner or […]
Continue reading Urbanity Opens Tonight! Hogan Gallery….
November 1, 2014 0 Comments
Come for a beer, stay for the art. Roberts Birze and Damian Young are pleased to invite you to their joint exhibition for 2014. Opening 5pm – 7pm Hogan Gallery 310 Smith Street, Collingwood https://www.facebook.com/events/1482423012005887/
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AAMI Park Stadium
October 18, 2014 1 Comment
Melbourne is sports crazy. AFL, Rugby League & Union, Soccer, Cricket, and the list goes on. The stadiums for these sports all offer fantastic urban landscape opportunities, and an opportunity to shoot the fans. AAMI Park Stadium has a unique triangle filled roof. There is also plenty of concrete to inspire your photography. The Holga image above […]
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Featured Image – Matthew Joseph – Panoramarama
October 17, 2014 2 Comments
From the Photographer – Matthew Joseph “This shot is a particular favourite of mine, I took it in March 2005 in Brisbane. I was wandering around the Queen Street Mall and walked into the Myers Centre, I used to come here when I was younger. I wanted to take some above view photos of people […]
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Invitation to Urbanity Opening Night
October 17, 2014 0 Comments
Feel free to come along to opening night to see a collection of images from local Melbourne Photographers Roberts Birze, and Damian Young. Opening 5pm – 7pm Saturday 1st November Hogan Gallery, 310 Smith Street, Collingwood. More Facebook details here : https://www.facebook.com/Urbanity2014
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Exhibition Review – Crossing Paths With Vivian Maier
October 12, 2014 2 Comments
It is always very special to see real prints framed, and hanging in a gallery. Anyone interested in photography should pop along to see this wonderful exhibition. The exhibition is a well thought out selection of Maier’s images. All my favourites appeared to be on show – I cannot recall a particular image of importance […]
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Crossing Paths with Vivian Maier
October 12, 2014 0 Comments
The Centre for Contemporary Photography has an exhibition of Vivian Maier’s images on at the moment. Going to pop over to have a look today. The details are : http://www.ccp.org.au/exhibitions.php?f=Gallery_1 03.10.2014—26.10.2014 Centre for Contemporary Photography 404 George St, Fitzroy Victoria 3065, Australia E info@ccp.org.au T + 61 3 9417 1549 OPENING HOURS Gallery Hours Wednesday—Friday […]
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Street Photography Etiquette – Buskers
October 11, 2014 4 Comments
Was lucky enough to come across this guitar guy today, on the corner of Flinders Lane and Degraves – a case of the usual suspects, to some degree. The subject was more than happy for me to poke around him for a minute or two, taking some great images. I don’t often shoot buskers as […]
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Book Review – The Street Photographer’s Manual
October 10, 2014 0 Comments
A great little book to drive inspiration on those days where you are a bit ho-hum about it all. The author, David Gibson has written a whole book full of tasty little bits and pieces to get any street photographer fiesty and firing the shutter! The book focuses on short profiles of street photography masters, […]
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Vivian Maier – Composition Tips Part Six – Summary
October 8, 2014 4 Comments
1. Contrast between experiences – a bored subject contrasting with an excited subject. Accentuate the contrast by placing the two subjects on different planes. 2. Look for hopeful “Hail Mary” passes! Subjects that are overly hopeful or optimistic. 3. Spot reflections, frames & windows to include in compositions. 4. You won’t […]
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Vivian Maier – Composition Tips Part Five
October 5, 2014 1 Comment
Maier’s Typical Street Portrait. Maier has a signature crop to her street portraits. In the image above, you can see the rough size relationship of the subject to the 6×6 frame of her Rolleiflex marked out. Below, you can see the rough dimensions / proportional relationship running consistently throughout the compositions. Even her self-portrait almost conforms […]
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Vivian Maier – Composition Tips Part Four
October 4, 2014 1 Comment
Find an interesting perspective to shoot from. Maier consistently captured her images from unusual perspectives. From above, below, or even breaking the fourth wall and getting behind the subject. The single easiest thing you can do immediately to improve your street photography is to change your perspective. You can read more on this specifically here. […]
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Featured Melbourne Image “Five Ways” – Dee Smith
October 3, 2014 2 Comments
Dee’s print “Five Ways” is an excellent example of toy camera photography. It was taken on a Holga using Kodak Ektar iso 100 negative film. I picked up Dee’s print at the recent Melbourne Silvermine analogue exhibition “Unsensored 2014”. The exhibition is annual event aimed at demonstrating the art of film photography lives on! You […]
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Free Open Source Street Photography Course
October 2, 2014 1 Comment
Eric Kim is a great source of inspiration for street photographers. He sets a great example by bringing a disciplined approach to learning and the creative process. He has brought together a whole bunch of his great content into a structured Street Photography course. You can find the course here : Free Open-Source Online Street […]
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Urbanity – Melbourne Street Photography Exhibition!
September 30, 2014 4 Comments
Opens Saturday 1st November. Come for a beer, stay for the art! After making a commitment twelve months ago to refresh my approach to street photography, the time has come to show the results. Urbanity is a joint exhibition featuring works by Roberts Birze, one of my favourite Melbourne photographers, and yours truly. More information […]
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Vivian Maier – Composition Tips Part Three
September 27, 2014 0 Comments
Wow, so much from one single image! It is not in Maier’s typical grittier style. The image gains a dreamy quality from the lack of importance placed on image sharpness. Focus is not always necessary to create an aesthetically pleasing image. Think Robert Capa on D-day… Find Portals to Another Time Whilst it was probably […]
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Inconspicuosity 