So after some effort of going and trying to take competition level photos, it's time to update some of the available results
Canon Photo5 - No short listings - Friend Frink reckons it's because Canon can't let a Nikon camera be short listed or win ;-) Without tooting my own trumpet, there are some truly pov entries, and none of them were admittedly taken from Nikon camera. Which I guess is a good thing! Geez I'm a sore loser! ;-p Go here to vote and view the finalists.
Brisbane Lord Mayor's Photographic Award - On display - Got a letter to say that my entry will be on display alongside the winners from the 30th of November to the 2nd of March in the Museum of Brisbane, Town Hall in the City. WOOT!
Queensland Premier's Multicultural Photographic Awards - Pending - Early next year
Monday, November 26, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Canon Photo5 Competition
Oh thank goodness they are finally over! NO MORE PHOTO COMPETITIONS!
This Competition held by Canon Australia is limited to 2500 entrants (No professionals allowed) with a final 50 images (10 per category) being short listed by judges, and voted on by anyone who can be bothered to register! SO REGISTER AND VOTE FOR ME!
The premise was simple "take 5 objects we provide for you and do something creative with each one individually!"
The five objects being
"Bluey"zilla
Comment - Pondering boxes on my way through the garden, I spotted this blue tongue wending it's way across the paves when I instantly thought "MONSTER LIZARD!" I wanted to see if I could use the boxes to belie the scale in the photo, to make this lizard seem larger than it was. I didn't really want to bother the poor guy so I didn't have time to draw windows, I just hoped perspective, creative lighting and DOF would make him seem larger than life. Then again, it could just look like a lizard in some boxes No Lizards were harmed in the making of this picture.
"Flight of the "Val"kyries"
Comment - Balloons took some effort to think of, but I remembered seeing some balloon powered toy helicopters. Which instantly brought on less ominous visions of Francis Coppolla "Apocalypse Now", complete with Wagner's "flight of the valkyries". Coincidentally, the gorgeous lady in the foreground is called Val Hardest part was controlling these things, of which you had no control.
"Banks of the River Styx"
Comment - This object was the hardest. I wanted to use the cellophane as a light modifier but also as the central object. So i decided on a candle as my light source but soon found the background too dark to distinguish what sort of origami I had made. so I decided to float the boat in a red container and use the flashes light the water red... Blood red which I've always imagined to be oil black or blood red.
"Long day at the office"
Comment - I thought office supplies and what I would do if I was couped up in a high rise office building, luckily I knew a friend who was and it had a great view! It was going to be called "Friday Afternoon" and we waited almost two weeks for a nice sunset over the city, but with time running out we had to go with the weather we had. Was hard work trying to get the dots properly exposed and minimising reflections, and using the hyperfocal length of a lens is so much harder without the appropriate markings! Cloudy day gave a much more interesting sky in the end. Technically the hardest to setup.
"Chalk Camera"
Comment - Geez, what can I say... cheesy? My Chalky Camera has served me well for this photo competition. This final image is a testament to the amazing photographic tool that a chalk camera can be. Pretty straight forward method, little manipulation in software and PRESTO! Chalk Camera taking a photo of Chalk... I wonder what the resolution is... at least it doesn't seem to be monochromatic!
BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED OUT ESPECIALLY CLAIRE, SAM, KATRINA and THERESE for allowing me to sound out my ideas and providing creative feed. Thanks to Val, Matt B, Mothei, Todd V and especially "Bluey" our backyard blue tongue lizard got disturbed twice in one week, Bluey, if you are reading this, stop hiding at my front door!
This Competition held by Canon Australia is limited to 2500 entrants (No professionals allowed) with a final 50 images (10 per category) being short listed by judges, and voted on by anyone who can be bothered to register! SO REGISTER AND VOTE FOR ME!
The premise was simple "take 5 objects we provide for you and do something creative with each one individually!"
The five objects being
- Cardboard boxes
- Balloons
- Cellophane
- Dots
- Chalk
"Bluey"zilla
Comment - Pondering boxes on my way through the garden, I spotted this blue tongue wending it's way across the paves when I instantly thought "MONSTER LIZARD!" I wanted to see if I could use the boxes to belie the scale in the photo, to make this lizard seem larger than it was. I didn't really want to bother the poor guy so I didn't have time to draw windows, I just hoped perspective, creative lighting and DOF would make him seem larger than life. Then again, it could just look like a lizard in some boxes No Lizards were harmed in the making of this picture.
"Flight of the "Val"kyries"
Comment - Balloons took some effort to think of, but I remembered seeing some balloon powered toy helicopters. Which instantly brought on less ominous visions of Francis Coppolla "Apocalypse Now", complete with Wagner's "flight of the valkyries". Coincidentally, the gorgeous lady in the foreground is called Val Hardest part was controlling these things, of which you had no control.
"Banks of the River Styx"
Comment - This object was the hardest. I wanted to use the cellophane as a light modifier but also as the central object. So i decided on a candle as my light source but soon found the background too dark to distinguish what sort of origami I had made. so I decided to float the boat in a red container and use the flashes light the water red... Blood red which I've always imagined to be oil black or blood red.
"Long day at the office"
Comment - I thought office supplies and what I would do if I was couped up in a high rise office building, luckily I knew a friend who was and it had a great view! It was going to be called "Friday Afternoon" and we waited almost two weeks for a nice sunset over the city, but with time running out we had to go with the weather we had. Was hard work trying to get the dots properly exposed and minimising reflections, and using the hyperfocal length of a lens is so much harder without the appropriate markings! Cloudy day gave a much more interesting sky in the end. Technically the hardest to setup.
"Chalk Camera"
Comment - Geez, what can I say... cheesy? My Chalky Camera has served me well for this photo competition. This final image is a testament to the amazing photographic tool that a chalk camera can be. Pretty straight forward method, little manipulation in software and PRESTO! Chalk Camera taking a photo of Chalk... I wonder what the resolution is... at least it doesn't seem to be monochromatic!
BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED OUT ESPECIALLY CLAIRE, SAM, KATRINA and THERESE for allowing me to sound out my ideas and providing creative feed. Thanks to Val, Matt B, Mothei, Todd V and especially "Bluey" our backyard blue tongue lizard got disturbed twice in one week, Bluey, if you are reading this, stop hiding at my front door!
QLD Premier's Photocompetition - Multi-cultural New Beginnings
The photocomp was aimed at promoting multiculturalism in QLD. I had something else in mind, but the last few weeks have been taken up by duties, so this was a last minute photo.
Completely ran out of time, this is actually our bike shed at AGHQ, but it COULD be a dingy bar (to me anyway!)
I tried kissing my own forearm with lipstick (which didn't taste nice), but Claire kindly volunteered even though we were both weirded out by it... The number actually is the start of the Premier's office number (I hope she doesn't realise this when judging!).
Getting the right title took longer than the photo! Sam and I came up with
Cultural Exchange
Bridging the divide
I finally settled on "It's in the numbers" for the multiple entendres (sp?) it provided.
though in hindsight I would have much preferred "The roots of Multiculturalism" or "Multicultural Roots!"
Sigh!
Completely ran out of time, this is actually our bike shed at AGHQ, but it COULD be a dingy bar (to me anyway!)
I tried kissing my own forearm with lipstick (which didn't taste nice), but Claire kindly volunteered even though we were both weirded out by it... The number actually is the start of the Premier's office number (I hope she doesn't realise this when judging!).
Getting the right title took longer than the photo! Sam and I came up with
Cultural Exchange
Bridging the divide
I finally settled on "It's in the numbers" for the multiple entendres (sp?) it provided.
though in hindsight I would have much preferred "The roots of Multiculturalism" or "Multicultural Roots!"
Sigh!
Friday, November 09, 2007
OCAU - Newfarm
Went for a walk with the OCAU boys again, this time in New Farm to try out my swanky new tripod! Also had a first hand look at a Canon 40D, and I have to say, it's impressive what you can buy for $1700 these days. Finally got a chance to take photos of the old Gasometer structure on Longland street. Yes it's been done to death, but not by me! Go 10-20mm goodness!
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Umbrella Val
Finally! After a lengthy ND agreement (something to do with wooing a certain man with a surprise, me thinks), I give you the wondrous if not wonderful, Umbrella Valerie!
It's been so long I forget what I was trying to do, I think it was to try and bring detail out in the black dress, which I didn't really do very well. Also I was attempting to do portraits with a really dark background without losing depth to the image, ie using lights in background etc, again, didn't do so well. At least Val saved the day by just being beautiful!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Living With Our Wild Neighbours
My entry for the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Photographic Competition: Shifting Focus
Apparently I have to give a cheesy 50-word "artist's" comment
Humans manipulate their environment to benefit themselves. Consequently, urban landscapes are as foreign to this ‘Bluey’ as the moon is to man.
With increased awareness and concern for our local environments, wondrous backyard encounters such as mine will continue.
Shifting focus helps us see eye to eye with our world.
Clare Bowditch and The Feeding Set
Back in BrisVegas for her new album launch "The Moon Looked On", the first after having twins. I thought I'd splash out and take all the roomies with me. Unfortunately Miss T (also a big fan since our train trip to Alghero) was unwell so she relinquished her precious ticket to a Mr. Todd who being a long time fan (and who coincidentally introduced me to her) was very appreciative of.
We had seats front and centre in the Powerhouse Theater. When I say that I mean second row from stage at about eye level with Miss B's knees, smack bang in front of her. Felt like she was playing just for us (I wish!)
I was a big fan of "What was left" and I am now keen on the new album (featured on Triple J all this week). Pick up a copy and give it a spin, and then buy all the earlier albums too! Definitely one of my favourite female vocalists and musicians in general, just ask the girls... I keep playing her again and again!
P.S. IMHO I've come a way of a ways from the first time I took photos of her in July last year, always nice to visually see I've gotten incrementally better over time
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