After feeling a bit “out of the zone” yesterday, juxtapositional compositions came to the rescue. Just find a great sign and wait for the right subject to come into frame. They are a staple for a lot of street photographers – although it takes a fair bit to add enough to the composition to […]
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Tag Archives: melbourne
Mamiya 7II Rangefinder Review
January 18, 2015 
1 Comment
Everyone deserves a brand new medium format film camera once in their life. You can still buy these as new “old” stock on Ebay. If you have the means, spoil youself. Getting one of these babies, in a brand new, unopened carton is a special experience. They ain’t making many medium format film cameras any […]
Continue reading Is it a bench or street photography?
January 18, 2015 4 Comments
Posted this today on Instagram tagged with #streetphotography without even thinking. Interestingly enough, I had a response from a random on Twitter : I don’t pay much attention to a lot of interweb commentary on stuff. It just never seems to end well, and I have considered turning off the comments function a number of times […]
Continue reading Urbanity Image Review #10
January 2, 2015 0 Comments
Sometimes, ya gotta get back to basics… one of the first things any composition book will teach is to look for natural frames for your subjects. Frames are not something I think consciously about often enough. This shot features a frame within the frame, which helps take the composition heightens the interest. The two subjects are […]
Continue reading Does Film Still Matter to Street Photography?
December 28, 2014 7 Comments
The simple answer is “no”… But why cling to the analogue aesthetic and process? I have noticed a few of my previous stalwart film buddies exiting the genre recently as well, leaving me both a little heartbroken and worried about film. I am not going to prattle on about the dynamic range of film vs digital […]
Continue reading Developing Black and White Film at Home. It’s Easy.
December 21, 2014 0 Comments
What do you need? Gear – Scissors – Developing Tank with Reels – Water hose – Light-tight Change Bag – 35mm Film Canister Opener (or Can Opener) – Measuring Jug and Graduate – Thermometer – Timer – Squeegee – Storage bottles – Drying rack – Scanner Chemicals – Developer – Stop Bath – Fixer […]
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading 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 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 […]
Continue reading 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
Continue reading 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 […]
Continue reading 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, […]
Continue readingPosition and Timing
September 7, 2014 3 Comments
“There are the two basic controls at the photographer’s command – position and timing – all others are extensions, peripheral ones, compared to them.” David Hurn Allan Jeans once said Aussie Rules footy is simple. Either they have the ball, we have the ball, or the ball is in dispute. Both Hurn and Jeans have a […]
Continue reading Starting in Film Photography on a $350 budget.
September 6, 2014 3 Comments
So you have decided to have a crack at film photography? Here is my recommend “first go” kit for under $350. What do you need? 1. Film Camera Body (featured above) 2. Lens (featured above) 3. Film 4. Someone to develop and scan OR scan yourself. 1. Camera Body. Well, there is some good […]
Continue reading Exploring New Places
August 31, 2014 2 Comments
Take the path less travelled. Some of your best images are waiting to be found in places you wouldn’t expect. A fundamental purpose of photography is to show people something they might not ordinarily get to see. An experience, a moment in time, a place… Sometimes the most ordinary of places can be hoarding something […]
Continue reading Stop Taking the Same Images Over and Over
August 30, 2014 5 Comments
Ever found that you have started taking the same image over and over? A particular type of composition that you find particularly pleasing – so you start to see it everywhere. And photograph it over and over. I found late in 2013 that I was losing my photography spirit. I had reduced the number of […]
Continue reading Etihad Stadium Docklands
August 23, 2014 0 Comments
Etihad Stadium. The scene of triumph and alternately, gnashing of teeth. There is nothing like the footy here on a cold winter’s night, the roof closed, with an equally cold beer. The traditional home of sport in Melbourne is undoubtedly the MCG and the Flinders Park precinct where the Aussie Open Tennis is held. The […]
Continue reading Changing Perspective
August 1, 2014 7 Comments
One of the hardest things to avoid in street photography is “same same” perspective. The nature of the activity – walking around and instant opportunities – results in the photographer mostly bringing the camera up to to the eye at head height. We see the world around us, every day, at head height. We are used […]
Continue reading The Art of Bar Photography – Part One
July 20, 2014 2 Comments
I was hanging out with a few photography buddies at a pub called the “Marquis of Lorne”. What a pub named after Lorne was doing in Fitzroy confused me somewhat, but we had a great day over a few pints and cameras. One of my esteemed colleagues commented on the preponderance of portraits of younger […]
Continue reading Holga “Toy” Camera
July 12, 2014 3 Comments
Analogue is good. Overlay that with plastic and you get something great! Holga cameras were designed and started manufacture in China during the heady days of the early ’80’s. I suppose they were manufactured as a super economical camera suitable for a radiant socialist future. The are a medium format camera – ie. they take film like […]
Continue readingDomke F2 Classic Bag
June 22, 2014 0 Comments
Gadgets, doodads, and technical stuff seems to go hand in hand with some photographers. Sometimes I wonder if photographers are just bicycle freaks who are too unfit to ride. Both groups suffer from GAS – gear acquisition syndrome. The number of times I have seen “wiggle” boxes turn up with scientifically proven performance enhancing cycle gear at work […]
Continue readingHolga Panoramic
June 21, 2014 2 Comments
This is one big ass piece of plastic. Seriously, this thing is massive! The Holga Pan 120 takes medium format film and shoots 6cm x 12cm negs – yes, 60mm x 120mm! The camera technically has a 90mm fixed focal length lens – the best estimate I could find for 35mm equivalency was a 29mm […]
Continue reading Yikes! It’s Raining…
June 14, 2014 5 Comments
Heavy rain is a great time to get out and shoot. Have confidence that you can do it without ruining your gear by following a few guidelines. Before the rainy season starts in your city, you should already be scouting potential rainy day spots. Think about where people are still going to be walking even […]
Continue reading Nikon 35Ti Camera Review
June 14, 2014 5 Comments
What a wonderful little camera. The Nikon 35ti was made from 1993 – 1999, the period of the “Great Resistance” – a time when the film companies thought everything was still going to be OK. Nikon mostly did not skimp on anything with this little beauty. The Lens is a suprisingly sharp 35mm F2.8 Nikkor. […]
Continue reading Compact 35mm Cameras
June 9, 2014 5 Comments
Hmmm, it would seem I am a regular breaker of one of the ten commandments handed down to Moses on Mt Sinai. “Thou Shalt Not Covet” It is tough when friends come along to a photography function with shiny new items. I find that as soon as I pick up a camera or lens that […]
Continue readingCamera Straps
June 7, 2014 1 Comment
If you wear the standard “branded” strap that came with your camera please click out of this website and never come back, unless you are wearing it “ironically” – But you better look like one of these guys if you are using that escape clause… Apart from the clear crime against humanity, branded straps are […]
Continue reading Howey Place
June 7, 2014 1 Comment
Once you have visited the more popular laneways, Howey Place is one of the next destinations worthy of a wander. It is mostly covered, providing a great option for wet days. It is relatively narrow and tends to funnel subjects – so just find a good spot and start camping. Frame your shot then wait […]
Continue reading Don’t Just Make a Carbon Copy
June 1, 2014 2 Comments
Architectural Photography is a passion for some. Taking a shot of a building’s interior or exterior, with the perfect lens, on a perfectly still tripod, with the perfect light, and at the perfect angle is challenging pursuit that requires patience. The same applies to Landscape photography. The result can often transcend the technique. But mostly […]
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Ricoh GR Digital Compact
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The Easiest Way to Develop B&W Film. Ever.
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Contax G2 Review – Autofocusing Rangefinder Brilliance!
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Tips on Managing an Exhibition
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Does Street Photography Matter?
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Ballarat International Foto Biennale Review
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Creative Brief – Japan! Part Two
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Creative Brief – Japan! Part One
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Seven Thoughts on Seven Images – Part Three
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Seven Thoughts on Seven Images – Part Two
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Inconspicuosity 