Wednesday 30 November 2016

SPECIAL KIDS

I was recently approached about photographing a special group of kids who played basketball out west for the Western Special Needs Basketball Club...
This came as I'd not long before been reflecting on how I hadn't shot anything 'junior sports' related for a while and how I'd missed the environment and atmosphere. So when the opportunity presented itself I have to admit I was a little wrapped. 
I was initially advised to lower my expectation of photographic brilliance as certain "conditions" that the children possessed may inhibit their attention span as well as their willingness to smile for the camera.  But regardless I approached the job with the same "Let's have fun" approach I try to bring to all other jobs when I have to win a child's trust in order to achieve the best photo.
Due to time constraints, we decided to take the club photo first, after only being in the same room as these kids for about 15 minutes. But nevertheless, after some basketball banter and self deprecation, this was the result we achieved. 25 kids with special needs, looking straight down the barrel, looking proud and most importantly, happy!
As it turns out, the individual portraits were a hit with the parents too.
So I walk away from this one with a greatly appreciated and improved learning curve... as well as that warm fuzzy feeling!!


Monday 27 June 2016

ALL EYES ON THE ROAD AT LATROBE

Slightly chuffed today...
I received this image from one of the lovely folk in the marketing department of Latrobe University.
An image from a photoshoot I did as part of their business/commerce guide being fitted into a nice big billboard.

Sadly I wasn't there for a photo bomb!!

Sunday 5 June 2016

TUNNEL VISION

There's just something so soothing about the scene that greets you as you drive north-bound through this tunnel to find yourself on the Tullamarine Freeway. Many a time I've driven home from a night out or from work and admired the simplistic beauty of this winding skeletal structure; it's hard steel and it's soft lighting.
It's just too easy to come out at the other end of the tunnel with great images. Here's just one...


Tuesday 3 May 2016

SKY'S THE LIMIT

Isn't it great to see the creativity that some "professional" retouchers apply to their craft....
Found these images (on the same day) on realestate.com.au recently.
Nice to see that agents send good photographers out to photograph the selling points of a property and then retouchers cheapen the images by dropping generic elements in Photoshop like this...
Way to lose trust guys!

Friday 29 April 2016

THE "PHOTO BOMB" PIONEER

More often than not when you photograph weddings, you end up with "that memorable shot" from the day for whatever reason it might be... Beautiful lighting or location, a magical kiss, or a funny bridal party prank.

On the day of my cousin's wedding we headed to the beautiful Queen's Park in Moonee Ponds.
We were soaking in the ambience of greenery and birdlife, when this lovely local lady came powering home from the supermarket, straight through the background of our shot. She noticed that we were photographing a wedding and casually slowed down to enjoy the scene, so I decided to make her part of the day's memories...

Somehow, this shot never made the wedding album!


Thursday 7 April 2016

PAINTING WITH LIGHT

Went out into the city on an impromptu architectural dusk shoot tonight.
I was out with a prospective client, showing my wares as they are currently looking for a new photographer to head off their franchise.
So as the client was shooting his stuff I had creative licence to walk around and capture whatever I thought looked interesting or "visually dynamic".
I took several shots in the short space of time that dusk shoots cater for, then at exactly 8pm, when the sky was completely black, camera on tripod and flash "in hand" I came up with this little gem...
Hand on heart I can say that this is virtually "untouched" by photoshop.
I gotta say I'm pretty proud of it, and so was my new client!!


Tuesday 29 March 2016

IF OTHER PROFESSIONS WERE TREATED LIKE PHOTOGRAPHY

I stumbled upon this little nugget this morning... http://petapixel.com/2016/03/28/professions-treated-like-photography/
It reassured me that it was not only me that feels the way I do about the current state of the photographic industry.

Reading the examples given for other industries here, it just reminds me of so many instances where in an attempt to save money, a "potential client" has used the old "Oh we only want a few pics" line.

"Of course you do!" That's why you contacted a photographer. You wouldn't call a vet to fix your car now, would you!
Only it boggles me how often the need for quality imagery suddenly flies out the door when 'Little Johnny' walks in with his iPhone or starter kit and a freshly downloaded certificate at a fraction of the price.

Strangely, these people generally work for obscenely cashed up companies where salaries are more than generous for the workload... makes you wonder if they've ever given any thought as to how dispensable 'their' boss thinks they are if they want to save some money!

OK, RANT OVER.... CARRY ON!


Thursday 24 March 2016

RETOUCHING SERVICE

So I recently took a couple of casual photos of a BMW X3 which was being sold in Melbourne. The top image here (amongst others) will be used for the ad.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well these rushed photos came out and thought I'd have some fun with this particular image.
The bottom image is the final result.
"Stay sharp", no matter which element of the job...

Thursday 10 March 2016

BEAUTIFUL KOH PHANGAN

I recently returned from my February "Christmas break".

After my experience only 12 months earlier, I decided that I would return to the friendly little Thai island of Koh Phangan. I wanted to return there to basically switch off, recharge, and do very little more than sit on the beach and enjoy endless watermelon shakes.

My decision to return to the island was validated as I got off the ferry just after dusk...
This was the scene that greeted me. Enough said!



Thursday 18 February 2016

Ok... So here I am venturing into my wonderful new world of "blogging"...
Be gentle folks as I'm still learning how to drive this baby!

But this will be where I will share stories, images and experiences, while with some luck, get to know all of you out there a little better.

So having said all that, "Let the good times roll!"
I look forward to your feedback, sharing some banter and general interaction...

See you in the near future!

GS