Location photographer. Getting behind the scenes. Showing off the secret, and not so secret, treasures of the world.
APPAs 2015. And earning my Associateship.
The ups and downs of entering Awards, being judged and the outcomes. My APPA journey to getting my Associateship.
Each year photographers of the AIPP look through all their images and lose sleep over working out which ones are their best. They spend hours looking at them, deconstructing them, finessing them. It can become all consuming. A bit fanatical or OCD.
Why? For some awards called APPA. Australian Print Photographic Awards.
We can walk away with grand titles like Travel Photographer of the Year, State Commercial Photographer of the Year. Categories include everything from Nature and Science, Commercial, Wedding, Documentary, Sport to Illustrative. Play well and work hard, and eventually, with enough points earned, we receive titles such as Grand Master Photographer, Master Photographer or Associate Photographer. These are hard earned and can take years. Years of money, emotion, time and work. To gain Associate, you need to earn 10 points in 5 years. 1 point for Silver, 2 points for Gold, .5 point for 78 or 79 which they say is nearly award standard.
Peers judge our work, some of the best in the industry. And some days it can be brutal. Photography is so personal; it can seem like they are talking about us when they discuss our work. Our judgement, our ability, our thoughts. Not to say they are right or wrong in a larger context of our world as many prints that are shown, and don't 'rate', have won other awards or been bought by clients for hundreds (if not more) of dollars.
I have been entering these awards for some years. Five or so. I always thought it was 'nice' to have my work reviewed by peers - but some years I left feeling like a failure, never good enough and perhaps needing to find a new career. But it's not like that. These awards are tough. My prints were getting professional standard with the occasional Silver Award (which means above pro standard). Of course, though, I'd look at others, and see their work as so much better and wish I could be more like them. Each year there are only a handful or so of Gold awards handed out from the thousands of submissions. Perhaps I'd browse these Gold prints that were hung up after each category and dream one day they would be mine up there with them.
This year I entered the awards with three prints that had received Silver status at the State awards. I also then rummaged through my archives and chanced across a sand dune shot from Kangaroo Island. A quick tweak and I sent the images off to be printed and shipped to Melbourne for awards. I thought I had a nice portfolio of subdued, quiet images that would definitely get me over the line for my Associate - at least three Silvers.
I didn't go over for the awards but watched via live streaming. It was a Saturday night when I caught up with my prints. I would sit holding my breath waiting for the scores. When the final score came up, I'd slump and begin to pity myself. I'd miss out on a Silver by a few points, and the score variance was crazy. Some judges were awarding one print just below pro standard to Silver award standard. I guess that is the subjective matter of photography.
So I sat for a few hours, waiting for image after image, hoping to get some Silvers or better. Two images were just below award standard, and needing 1.5 points to get my Associate, I was getting nervous. I saw my third come up and waited anxiously. At first I got Silver, but with Darren Jew believing it was worth more, a discussion was started. After what felt like hours to me, it was re-scored and received a Silver Distinction. Yay! My first ever! Now I just needed .5 point to get my Associate, and I'd be a happy lady.
The last print came up, and it was gone before I could think what happened. Apparently it was nothing special, being awarded Pro Standard. I was bummed. I missed out on my Associate by .5 of a point. I didn't know if I wanted to continue with these awards. I poured a glass of red wine. Why do I put myself through the emotional turmoil? Why do I spend so much money on these? Is it worth it? I don't need to have my ego patted - I should be happy with who I am and what I'm doing. I'm earning money; I love what I do, what else do I need? The questions ran wild. But I didn't have answers.
Two nights later and my phone dings with a Facebook message. Peter Barnes, another Adelaide photographer, was at the Awards Dinner. He's heard my name called for gaining my Associateship. I question it, but later find out he is, in fact, right. Yay! A .5 point that I thought was going to be dropped off (expired) didn't. Now my questions are definitely without answers. I'm still not happy I only received one Award, but I have learnt from it.
1. Look at my images throughout the year
2. Choose something that is quirky/different
3. Don't stress about retouching. Sometimes simple works.
4. Go with my gut
Food photography on the run
How to get a quick pic of your food that looks tasty - before it goes cold.
Dish by www.foodaccordingtobree.com for Fleruieu Living Magazine using only natural light with a white reflector.
1. Sit by a window
- Easiest and most flattering way to light your food.
- Place your dish near the window, without direct light falling on it.
2. Use your white napkin to bounce the light back into the food
- Hold your white napkin upright, as close as you can to your plate of food. The napkin should be on the opposite side of the plate to the window. The light coming in from the window will now bounce back onto the plate.
3. Re-arrange the food to look even yummier
- Look at your dish. Is there an overcooked broccoli head or soggy chip? Get rid of the ingredients that don't do the dish justice. Spin the plate around also - it may look better from the other side.
4. Photograph from different angles
- If it is a 'stacked' dish, perhaps get down to photograph the layers.
- If it is soup or casserole, you could shoot from above and show the crusty bread roll, etc.
- Lots of dishes look great from a 45-degree angle.
- Experiment!
Z Ward with Adelaide Haunted Horizons
Paranormal stuff. The stuff that makes me shiver.
Believe in ghosts? Doesn't matter - Adelaide Haunted Horizons' tours are fun for everyone. It's a Saturday night with a difference. Check them out. www.adelaidehauntedhorizons.com.au
I photographed in Z Ward at Glenside (criminally insane ward) for them but did a recce at Old Tailem Town about an hour from an Adelaide a few weeks prior. The stories told, the ambience, the intrigue of not knowing what lies beyond the torchlight. It all leads to me jumping at someone whispering 'boo' while I'm standing up the back of the group in a shop. Honestly, I thought it is whispered in my left ear, the ear that has nobody standing next to it - but obviously not, when the guys next to me apologised. I could swear I felt the air push onto my ear - but I guess that is my mind playing tricks on me.
Do I believe in ghosts now? Not sure. I can't say until I experience it. Would I go on a tour again? Definitely. It is so much fun, scaring myself in the dark while listening to stories that make me squirm.
SAPPA 2015 (SA AIPP Print Awards)
The turmoil of entering awards. Heart on the line. Two silvers. But it's never enough.
I thought about it. 'No, don't think I'll do it.' I thought about it some more. 'Ok, I'll give it a go.' Then I thought about it again. 'No, no. I'm not.' And so the story goes on. One week before the deadline, I email Atkins and ask if it's too late to get prints done. It's not - as long as I have them submitted that day. Argh! The Mad rush to finalise the selection of prints, tweak said prints and send through.
Over the weekend, judging took place. I was coughing way too much to go but watched via streaming. It's just as scary and nerve-wracking watching from home as it is watching in the audience. I got sweaty palms. I didn't want to watch. I did want to watch. I held my breath. I tried to think positive.
My first print judged, a blue volcano, got Silver. Yay! Now - just continue like this, I beg. My next two prints rate in 'professional practice' - my heart sinks. 'Why can't I get it right?' But the judges make comment, and I realise, what they are saying is right. In my heart, something didn't sit right with these images. I tried hard to make them something more than what they were - pretty pictures.
The last print up was probably the print I was most concerned about. 'Does it tell enough story?' But I entered it anyway, and it got Silver! Yay again.
Of course I wanted more, we always do. But I am happy with what I have got. And more importantly, I have a takeaway from these Awards.
Listen to your heart. Don't close the door to what your heart is saying. Trust yourself. You know what is best.
For the love of life. Personal and professional development.
Learning - go on the journey of development for life. Conferences are just one way.
Do you believe in constantly improving yourself and your knowledge? Do you like learning new things? Do you strive for getting better? I do. I love learning.
This year, I made a resolution to stop learning and start implementing. That resolution got broken a few months in when I signed up for Marie Forleo's B-School. Then, again, when I signed up for a blogging business pack. And now, here I am in Perth, with a sore bum, having been in a three-day conference.
The 2015 Nikon AIPP Event is an annual event held each year, for photographers and videographers to learn, be inspired and network. This year, it was in Perth. Next year it's in Melbourne.
I love the conference, and although I didn't have major 'aha' moments this year, I have come away massively inspired and with warm fuzzies, having gained more photography friends. Listening to amazing creatives such as Ryan Schembri, Patrick Moreau, and Cameron Frost while chatting with photography icons David Dare Parker and Brooke Shaden, I love the passion we all share.
Takeaways for a making the most of a conference?
1. Talk to as many people as you can. Overcome your shyness. We are all in the same situation.
2. Give away more positivity - in the form of comments, compliments or just telling someone they did a good job/you like their product.
3. Three-day conferences are long. Don't feel bad if you have to stand up at the back of the room. Also, don't eat too much heavy food at lunch and get the snooze happening.
4. Enjoy the networking nights that are booze filled - but not too much. You paid good money to go, why waste it on needing to stay in bed or feel crap.
5. Get out and wander outside whenever you can. The fresh air and sun rejuvenates you for the next session.
6. Don't be afraid to approach the speakers - they are only human, like us. They are not a better human being than us; we are all the same.
So, what do you do for personal development? If we aren't growing, where are we going? If life is a journey, we need to be constantly moving forward, pushing ourselves to learn and experience new things. Imagine being stuck at a crossroad for life - never experiencing what lies beyond. Imagine what we are missing out on while waiting and not moving forward.
Tell me your plans...
The perfect time for photos - is when you have a camera.
When can you get the best photos? Should you wait?
There is no such thing as the perfect day for taking photos. Or weather. Just get out there and take them.
Yes, the light at the start and end of the day is beautiful, soft and colourful but you can still get great shots during the midday sun.
Grey sky? At least there are no shadows to deal with.
Bright, sunny day? You have colour that pops. And you can have fun with shadows and lines of geometry and design.
Night? Pop the camera on a tripod and get star trails. Or have fun with painting light. Use a torch and run around.
You can get great shots in summer or winter. Rain and wetness add vibrancy and colour to objects. It gives them punch. And raindrops on objects is a macro subject in itself.
So, don't let the rain and cold weather put you off getting outside with your camera. Grab a camera protector - even if it's a plastic bag - and go have some fun.
You can't get better without practice.
SATIC 2015 conference at Crowne Plaza Adelaide
On Wednesday this week, a few hundred of SA's tourism industry crowded into the conference rooms at Crowne Plaza Adelaide for the annual conference. A day of facts, figures, inspiration, tips and networking. It's the third year I have photographed it, and love it. I guess it's a perk of my job - having to go to events, meet people, learn new things and get paid for it.
I love the Crowne Plaza. I have stayed with them, I have been a conference attendee, and of course - I have photographed their lovely spaces. One bonus attendees get out of attending a conference here is the views. Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and networking drinks with a 15th floor outlook over Adelaide CBD. Perhaps not so good for the faint hearted dealing with heights, but for everyone else - wow. Floor to ceiling glass windows and an outdoor balcony look over Hindmarsh Square to the south of the city.
No shortage of hotels in the area...
Dean Evans from Leading Minds Australia had some interesting info to share about leadership, getting out of your comfort zone and fantastic customer service. I want to continue to lean into my fear more, and one of his slides I NEED to pin up on my wall, behind my computer screens. Where my magic life sits is just beyond my comfort zone...
Social media is part of our lives, and a big part of our marketing now. I've got on to Instagram (and love it) finally, and love some treasures that Rebecca White from Tourism eSchool shared. 1888 Hotel in Sydney really encourage all of their guests to get on social media, and even have a neighbourhood map showing different points of interest, with #hashtag and Instagram points. Get your clients raving about you!
Conferences are a great way to learn up to date information, network with peers and be inspired. My next AIPP The Event is going to be in Perth - can't wait. I'll hashtag and Instagram my way through it. :)
Not every hotel in the area has balconies...
www.satic.com.au
www.crowneplazaadelaide.com.au
Photo tip: blurry pics
Getting funky with slow shutter speed. It's fun. And can be done on any camera or iPhone.
We normally concentrate on getting photos that are crisp, clear and in focus. But sometimes, blur and 'fuzz' can work for us. The water lapping up on the beach looks better when it is blurred (softer). You can see how fast something is going when there is some blur. And sometimes, blur just makes the photo more interesting. Just because. It adds emotion and context.
I do remember being told that some Asian countries don't like it though - believe it's something to do with spirits. When I'm on a paid shoot now, I always ask the client first. I must find out more about that belief...
Anyway - how to get purposefully blurry photos.
In Manual mode
Lower the shutter as slow as you can hand hold. For me, this is normally about 1/60 or 1/30 depending on what lens I'm using. A tripod comes in very handy, especially if you are photographing slow-moving objects. After all, you do want some elements of the image to be sharp - the non-moving walls, houses, cliffs and so on.
A beach shot I took recently involved keeping the shutter open for 5 seconds. A remote shutter release or even self-timer is helpful in stopping camera movement here.
The pics shown here were both handheld, probably at 1/60 or something like that. People moving close to the camera, and across the frame, are going to have more blur than people further away or walking to/from the camera.
Tip: When you ask people to walk quickly, make sure they don't look like they are running or walking like a robot. Many times I have asked people to walk quickly, and they raise their arms like in a power walk. Looks weird. As can feet. Take lots of pics to get exactly the right moment when legs and feet look right. May sound weird, but try it - you will see how weird feet and legs can look.
In Auto mode
Night Scenery or Night Portrait are options that hold the shutter open for longer.
However, if you have it, use Shutter Priority. Shutter Priority means you set the shutter speed, and the camera works out the rest. Trial and error here. Work out what setting suits you, and remember to keep steady.
Look at your pics on the back of your camera, and try out different shutter speeds. If you are using an iPhone, get the 'Manual' app and have some fun with this.
Tips to keep steady while using a slow shutter speed
brace your arms into your stomach
lean against something
breathe out and take the pic
Photo Tip: Leading lines
Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
There are many 'rules' to taking a beautiful and interesting photograph. One of these is the use of leading lines. Leading lines draw the eye into the photograph and are especially good if you have something of interest and want to focus on, at the end. Draw the eye through your photograph with something graphic. Pull the viewers eye through where you want it to go.
Farm driveway near Strathalbyn, South Australia
Some leading line objects could be...
fences
roads
rows of objects (ie trees/houses/bottles)
the break of water on a beach
power lines
objects dotted in a line (ie kids toys leading to a messy child looking guilty)
stalls/shops at an event
getting in close to a window or sign and photogrpahing along it, with the 'scene' at the end or 'up the back' of the picture
Adelaide Haunted Horizons
A Saturday night with a difference. While I'm normally getting ready to go to bed, tonight I'm out ghost hunting. More or less.
My maiden name…
I work with SATIC (SA Tourism Industry Council) and offer a door prize at each of their networking events. One lucky member gets me for two hours - and probably more enticing - gets some stunning images to use on their promotional collateral.
Alison Oborn from Haunted Horizons was the lucky winner recently. Since I have never been out on a host tour, or anything like it, Alison suggested I come to one of her Old Tailem Town tours, near Tailem Bend, SA.
Signing our life away...
One cool evening in April, I set out. We meet in the carpark of Old Tailem, I'm handed a torch, and told to sign my life away. 'We can't guarantee anything, and we need to know, that you know, you could die.' Mmm, lovely - what have I got myself into. But I stay on - all in the name of work… and curiosity now.
The teetotaler owner of the house would hate that his house is what it is now… a pub.
Alison leads us around the old town, telling us stories of experiences that have happened, the history of the buildings - buildings that have come from all over the state, and even interstate. We only see a section of the town, visiting the railway yard, store, motor shop, pub, family home and church.
Sometimes there is a man figure seen in torchlight, standing in the doorway or behind the truck...
In the shop, I get one hell of a fright. I am standing up the back of the group, torches all off while listening to Alison tell of stories about ghosts being attracted to women and hating gay men. In the complete blackness, bar the little red light of an infra red camera, I hear 'boo'. I swear I hear it whispered into my left ear, even nearly feeling the air brushing me ear, but upon jumping with an 'argh', the guy to my right apologises, and says he was whispering in his mates ear.
The shop where I'm spooked...
Did I see or feel any ghosts? No. Did anyone else? Perhaps. Two guys, sitting in the church, say the pew in front of them has been moved towards them, blocking their feet from moving - but no-one is sitting on that pew in front of them. Do I now believe in paranormal acitivity? I'm not sure. I'm open minded. And as Alison says, you never can say if you believe or not, until something is experienced yourself. Skeptics out there - even if you don't believe any one tiny bit about paranormal activity - this tour is great fun. History, drama, and tour by torchlight. Even though I'm disappointed to not have experienced any paranormal activity, I'm kind of glad. The drive home alone would have been interesting, considering it's now nearly midnight, I'm tired and have heard many spooky stories.
www.adelaidehauntedhorizons.com.au
