Keeping Creative

http://www.thistonybridge.com/2009/12/01/crossing-the-abyss-of-discontent

Well things are now moving along rather nicely with only one image left to take for the summer arts festival so its panic over for now. Last weekend saw the completion of a picture which had presented itself to me almost 18months ago now when traveling out towards Taneatua to visit my sister. I spied this old chimney standing majestically under a macrocarpa tree. It makes one wonder what its history is and who spent time on many a cold winter night drawing warmth and comfort form its glowing embers. A scout around by my partner produced an old tap that was attached to a cast iron plate, maybe an old water heater. A dirty fork, an old light bulb, rather small and an unusual shape encased by a ceramic surround which by some miracle has managed to survive years without the hoof of a cow smashing its delicate surface.

This place gives birth to many photographic possibilities, with a few spending many an hour being churned and manipulated by my overactive imagination. At one stage I made the effort to drive to Wellington to pick up an old mahogany occasional table I had bought off trademe as a prop for the picture I thought my mind had settled on but after 6 more months and a new idea now in flavor the table now occupies a corner of my lounge gathering dust.

I felt the need to not only create a great image that tells my story but also to do this old chimney justice and maybe give it the opportunity to tell its own story. Tricky as that may seem, I feel I have managed to achieve just that.

While I cant show you the finished picture complete with chimney, I can introduce you to the model who graces the image. She's a natural beauty who has been waiting just as long to take her place in the picture as I have been to take it. I suppose the only two things that have never changed over the past 18 months is the location and my choice of model. Many thanks Michelle for being so waiting so long.

Places like this are full of creative possibilities just waiting to be tapped into. I have been made aware a few times in the past of a poor few suffering from some creative block or a lack of inspiration and I have a small fear of falling into that abyss. I don't see this happening any time soon but there are those who do. I read a fantastic article from one of NZs current photographic greats "Tony Bridge" who wrote about just such a thing. It seems to have strengthened my current position but for those either on the top or bottom of the abyss, its a must read. (refer to the above link) We have to feed the creative mind in order to grow but sometimes its just a case (as with the chimney site) of not trying to over think an idea but to just sit and listen. It wont take long for your surroundings to give you all the inspiration you need.

Most of us including me could be accused of taking our creative juices for granted. Following Tony's advise and re-reading over again and again from time to time will not only help us to keep fresh but remain relevant in an ever changing world.

What Our Eyes Dont See

Ok so I know things have been a bit quiet around here lately and I do apologise for that but I have been working on my summer arts project which has kept me rather busy. This creative stuff is hard work man.

Anyway, I have spent some time planning and collecting material, clothing and location scouting for up and coming shoots with the big deadline looming. With 7-8 wks left to finalise a collection of at least 6 A2 size prints I am beginning to think I may not quite get them done so I was not to happy to think I was going to have to omit my latest creation from the exhibition. This is surely going to leave me in a rather tight spot time wise so I will have to fire on all cylinders.




The above image is the picture in question. I am showing you this because it's no longer intended for showing in the summer arts festival (all others will remain under wraps till then)

Whats wrong with it you ask?? well firstly its not really going to fit within the image set. It stands out to much, is to strong and with art being as subjective as it is, could lead to some rather negative and harsh interpretations as to what its all about.

This image would need to much explanation for the viewer to understand where I am coming from and by the time that's done, ones mind may have already taken it to literally. That's just what people do with photography,and yes that is ever so slowly changing. In the grand scheme of things the art of painting has a very long, bright and interesting history where as the art of photography is still a child just sometimes with a mature voice crying to be herd.

This image is not meant to portray a violent act or to depict the end of a life, its about the restrictions we put on ourselves, we become tied and dependent on our physical and mental comfort zones, come to beleive we cannot when we can. One cannot hope to succeed in less we break away from our self imposed bindings then push to challenge ourselves. This image is the tragedy of succumbing to normality, contentment and in the end, leaving this world without finding out who we really were or what we could have done.

Deep aye.

I realise this interpretation may be to deeply embedded within this picture. At the end of the day is this just a photograph? and if it is, can we see past what lies in front of us?

I love being asked about photographing toddlers. They're not camera shy, run around and do there own thing leaving me to fire at will. This always results in random, spontaneous images the are sure to please mum. I also love the chance to include the parents in the hope the interaction between them will lead to some great shots.

These two bring the picture to life. Claire and little Paige.

When attempting to photograph tiny tots, you cannot go into it with any preconceived ideas. Its the child that dictates the terms here so just let them go and fire away. If they're not in the mood, cut your losses and try again another day. Lucky for me, Paige was a little star.

Chasing The Sun

Some images just happen, when things come together and fall into place to create an picture that the subject can be proud of. This picture to me is a great example of what quality afternoon light can achieve, there is no substitute for it, you cant hold on to it, and in a heart beat its gone. All images subsequent images lacked that little piece of magic.

The image was shot on Waiotahi Beach. Expect to see this model grace these pages again sometime in the future.

Yeah Im Still Here.

Well you may think things here have been rather quiet over the last month or two and for that I do apologise. Behind the scenes I have been flat out working on a new project for the Whakatane Summer Arts Festival which runs in conjunction with the Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards. As a guest exhibitor I have been developing a new series of images that reflect the trials, changes and emotions we all experience throughout life's journey.

No, sorry but I cannot give you a preview just yet as its a series of six to eight images I plan to keep under wraps until the festival so you may just have to come along to the show in January next year for a look. All I can say is that these images are a new and exciting development in my photographic journey which I hope will prove to be better than anything captured to date.

See you there.

Kodak Gold Awards 2009

Well the results of the 2009 National Kodak Gold Awards are in and this Whakatane photographer has scooped a silver award for Weddings and a Gold award for portraiture.


After achieving three silver awards in last years competition, the gold was a sort after and now a welcome addition to the trophy cabinet.

Silver Wedding Award: Russel and Anna at Ohope Golf Course.

Fantastic day and many thanks to you both.

Gold Award winning portrait of Tasha.

Taken at the White Cross Orchard.

She was a great model and a pleasure to photograph.

To Be a Boy

I feel very lucky to be able to say I had a fantastic childhood. Yeah there were a few major trials to over come due to the ever so complicated lives of grown ups but as far as being a kid was concerned, it was a real adventure. I was rarely around the house suffering from the common affliction that seems to torture the youth of today when the PlayStation breaks down, no I was out all over the country side exploring with my older brother. With over active imaginations we climbed, ran, laughed and cried with each passing summer day.

It was then no surprise I loved the American movies with kids as the main characters, off on adventures always accompanied by a white dog with a black patch on one eye. The little rascals is one such film which I could always relate to and so just as that film inspired me as a boy, it inspired me to make the images below. I may not be a kid anymore but I can honestly say I still have have that sense of adventure and an over active imagination.

I see my self in these images so is was an unusual feeling to be standing there as a man photographing what seemed to be a reflection of myself as a boy.





I treasure that playful youngster that still lives within me and hope Little Harry (above) has as much fun as I did at his age and as I do now at mine.

Pics Pics Pics.

Well here is a treat for me and I hope for you. Yes, portrait shoots two weekends in a row. This is how life should be, out there just doing it, making pictures.

This time around I had the good luck to stumble across two enthusiastic young ladies whose mum was willing to put there faces on the line for the camera. So every one, here is Mary and Rongorua.







Portraits can be a daunting prospect for some. Most would rather a gun be pointed in there direction than a camera. Having said that, I do believe everyone has a great picture within them, its just a matter of bringing it out. One important attribute any photographer needs to have when photographing people is to be able to relate and relax there subjects. It seems that's not as much of an issue with children but as you move up the age scale the tendency to shy away form the camera increases.

I do worry about how the effect of so many digital cameras floating around these days have on peoples perceptions of them selves. With so many bad pics floating around people only ever see themselves in unfaltering images with not much thought into how those pics were taken. When they reluctantly get dragged in to portrait session with a pro, the photographers job of making the unwilling subject relax is almost an impossible task.

Another problem with a camera in every ones pocket is people get so used to looking a bad pictures that they become accepted as the norm so when portraits or even weddings need to be photographed, its uncle Bob or cousin Steve who is talked in to taking the pics because he has a flash camera. Well I have to point out here that its always the person behind the lens no the camera itself that makes the difference.

So get out there and give a pro a try. Your may be supprised how great you really look.

Well the school ball season has come and gone and so it was off down the road to photograph Tasha before she rocked the night away under bright lights and loud music. (pic below)

A week later while driving home I spotted an orchard on the side of the state highway with row upon row of fruit trees in full bloom capped with masses of pink flowers. My first thought was of Tasha, her ball gown and these beautiful pink blossoms. So off we went and managed to capture some great pics before the rain set in.

The camera really seems to love Tash so expect many more pictures of her here in the future.

WHO ME??

I think the most difficult project I decided to undertake was my first self portrait. The thought had crossed my mind several times in the past but for some reason that's all it did, cross my mind. It was as though for some reason I knew the time wasn't right so put it off for another year or so. After a while a switch switches (as switches do!!) and hey, today's the day.

Now that may sound a bit theatrical I suppose but for me taking a picture of myself was not just a daunting prospect but I knew it would involve looking closely at myself (again), my past, and what it was that made me who I am. The most time spent was spent doing just that as well as thinking of a way to make it work.

Photography by its nature this a thing to be shared, shown off even. Its a way of communication (even if we all may differ in what we think we are being told) but this is a self portrait, it feels so personal. We are in the business of getting our images out there to all, but this? I am not sure whether it was because this was my first and there for the hardest or whether it contains more of me than any image I have taken to date but I have had trouble showing this one off. Its almost like walking around naked.

Like most who consider themselves artists, works rise from inspiration, experience,passion and maybe a touch of soul. We know what our creation means, what it's trying to say while at the same time encouraging the viewer to generate there own interpretation. Art and photography is so subjective and that's what it's supposed to do. This image is different. It has alot of specific pain and triumph, mainly personal victory (yeah, where you ask). It may not be open to subjective interpretation so yes, its like walking around naked.

I took that image two years ago and the cycle has begun again, I'm thinking about another, maybe.

Why put the flash on the camera???

Using flashguns as mini studio lighting can really help open up the creative possibilities for those left wanting for more. Its a good way to learn the basic setups required for real studio lighting and you will have a blast in the process. There are a mass of accessories available for flashguns these days such as diffusers, barn doors, soft boxes, snoots and honeycomb grids to name a few. I still believe good old natural daylight is the best but it can be rather inconstant at times so mixing it with some of the artificial stuff never hurts.

A decent home made snoot (spot lighting) is to roll up some card and tape it to you flash gun. You can vary the length the vary the effect and even cut up a heap of straws to about 25mm lengths and glue them into the end of your snoot to mimic a honey comb or grid effect. Making the straws longer will enhance the effect. For the financially starved among us you don't have to spend mega dollars on top end studio gear to get great images.

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/

The above blog link is a endless source of info to satisfy the strobist in all of us.

Mans Best Friend.

Well we all have mates and I would like to introduce you to one of my closest who provides me with unlimited entertainment.

Here is Mr Bill.

He is a bit of a ladies man and followed my mother around like a bad smell until she passed away and now its my partners turn and has now acquired another shadow. This is one photographic subject who may not run from the camera but can be rather unpredictable when he wants to be.

He has a love relationship with sticks

And an unusual hate relationship with our swing??

Eye to Eye II

When it comes to manipulating light taking the flash off the camera really opens up the creative options. TTL cords do the job but are to restrictive with the damn cable either in the way or to short. Pocket wizards are they way to go for the ultimate in quality, reliability and control but at about $3-$400 there is a cheaper option that works. Trademe has a few wireless radio trigger options priced around the $80.00 mark for one transmitter and receiver. The operational range is respectable, there are very few miss-fires and with a couple of units you can have a small portable studio. Its amazing what can be done with a couple of speed lights. These can only be used in manual mode but this also means there are no issues with aftermarket flash guns.

The receiver locks onto the cameras hot shoe and the receiver can be mounted on a tripod with the flashgun on top. Its easy to use and the results can be fantastic. If you remember my past post with Alex on the Harley, (below) those images were all taken using two radio transmitters with Nikon flashguns.

It's easy to see how the two flash guns were used here. A simple but effective setup. One small problem I encountered was light reflection off the chrome causing lens flare in a few early test images but with some minor flash angle changes, the problem was solved.

Eye to Eye I

Once photography has hold of you something strange happens. You begin to look at the world in a vastly different way, as a photograph. You start framing things with your mind. You look at peoples faces, the way they stand and move. Trees, grass, water, its all a picture.




The above image I saw driving down the service lane behind Whakatane Pack n Save and there it was, wire with a flash of graffiti behind it. Now I have a real bad habit of saying "wow check that out" and driving straight past but not this time (great to have my ass in check). Its a classic example of an eye forming an image in the mind even if it was a split second. This is something I would have previously just driven past. Its great, it deepens ones appreciation for everything.

And then there's light, oh wonderful light. The most mundane object takes on a new life when just the right type and quality of light baths it with all its glory. Andris Apse is a master of patience. This is a man who will go to extraordinary lengths access a location and then he will wait. If after say a week the light is not right he will pack up and go home without shooting a single frame only to go back sometime later and try again.

One day I sat out on my deck looking out over the grass laden fields, watching a sea of greens and browns waving in the evening breeze (romantic aye). I sat there looking out at a picture my mind had already taken when that late afternoon light changed and the whole area came to life with amazing vibrant colour. I had everything set up by then except my unsuspecting partner who was busy indoors carving up a pumpkin for dinner. She was suddenly dragged outside and over the fence fighting every step of the way to a prepared spot in the long grass. I thrust a paint brush in her hand, blurted out a few instructions and ran for the camera.




And here it is. I love this pic and yes I am biased. Mandy is an artist so I had to create an image that would tell the world all about her. To me the composition may not be perfect but in this case I dont care as she is now a part of me. This image is a few years old now but for me it was a reminder of just how important light is. With photography, it starts and ends with light. Get a handle on how it works and how to manipulate it and you half way there.

SMASHPROOF VID

Some of you may remember not to far back to the images I took while location scouting and during the filming of the new Smashproof vid. Well its all done and up on the net for all to see.

Check it out, it rocks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ410LlOpXY

Photojournalism IV

Hey its a photo blog right??

Enjoy.

http://www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz/

Photojournalism III

Me and water seem to have a love hate relationship so I tend to keep a wary eye out when on the job. One early incident, despite the wary eye nearly ended in disaster, then I suppose for a photographer, in a way it did. On occasion, off shore storms can cause some rather large surf so on one such day I was off to the heads to hopefully capture some action.

After 10 good minutes standing on the shore to spot the best and safest place to shoot from, off I went working my way across the rocks and driftwood. After about 15 minutes and a crowd of people well behind me all gathered to watch the waves, I setup, dropped my kit and got into it.

The shot above was one of many waves to bounce of the heads so as I framed this through the viewfinder, my minds voice was saying "yeah that's the one, Great". As I lowered the camera and saw the wave (yes the one above) roaring towards me, I realised this was a bit bigger than the ones previous. "Great quickly turned to "SHIT". With only enough time to brace myself, the wave hit and swept through at knee height, myself on the verge of being swept off my perch.

After the water had shot passed, feeling damn lucky to still be standing (lack of swimming skills) my first thought was to get the hell out of there. I spun around reaching for my camera bag only to find it was no longer there, Once again "OH SHIT" (just louder) and there it was floating out in the channel. Waiting for the water level to drop I managed to wade out and hook it with a stick and yes, when I opened it up I thought I saw a fish swimming around in my 70-200. $5000 worth of gear drowned and to add to the heart break, I now had to tell the boss.

Photojournalism II

I love what I do. The challenges I face day to day is what motivates me to do better. It can become hard to make something great out of virtually nothing but that's a skill one has to develop. It's important we don't become to reliant on setup shots to get ahead so spot or hard news is essential in keeping all tools in the shed sharp (when one can get it)

I have been told in the past that kiwis photogs are the masters of setups but I hope I don't earn a rep for heading down that road. Having said that, here is a few to checkout.

http://www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz

Day to Day.

Photojournalism

This is what I do 40hrs a week and I love it. Its only been about four and a half years but it would have to rate as the best job ever. Its challenging, drives you to improve not just the quality but the eye and the mind. One minute you're shooting girl guides selling biscuits and the next you're at a murder scene or natural disaster and hey, variety is the spice of life. Photography is the ticket so what better way to develop the craft than to be out there every day snapping at everything that moves and my personal work has shot ahead in leaps and bounds as a result. How many of us get a job actually doing what we love??, well I only know one person who would fit that bill.

I have just read a column in the Photographer Mail about US Journo photog Jim McMillan (Interesting read if you get a chance). This guy is the real McCoy (unlike my gig with a small town community paper) and has been kicked, punched, tasered, was shot in the head, survived two car bombs, 3 road side bombs and on many occations having to shelter from shelling and small arms fire.

My rather tame environment can involve tasks I would rather avoid. Car accidents are one thing I would avoid if I had the choice so its a case of blocking out the carnage and getting on with the job. Its only after the event that one gets a chance to reflect on what you have seen. To all the unfortunates out there who may be unlucky enough to be involved in an accident!! if a photographer turns up you can bet he wouldn't have if he had a choice. I suppose the biggest event that had the most effect on me was the Matata floods. I was rather new to the journo camera thing and the shear scale of what I saw effected my sleep for a couple of days. By some miracle no one was killed but the experience was amazing.

These are images I shot but copywright goes to the Whakatane Beacon. http://www.whakatanebeacon.co.nz/

Gold Please.

Well its that time of year again, Kodak Gold time. The awards are not that far away so its time to dig out my best and pray for gold.

Wish me luck.

http://www.easternmotorcycles.co.nz/

Great promo shoot for Eastern Motorcycles this weekend despite last minute dramas in my failed search to find the right model. Enter a work mate who obviously, sick of my pitiful display of "what am I going to do" while on my knees, hands raised to the heavens, kindly provided me with the perfect young lady at the last minute and save my butt.

This was a first time modeling gig for Alex and the camera just loves her. Early nerves quickly disappeared and she really settled into what she was doing. A big thanks to her for the stunning pics and I hope we will see you here again in the future. Another big thanks to Georgia for bringing her in and saving my butt and I cant forget Jason from Eastern for the Bikes. If these pics help him pull in some punters who have bikes and want pics or Jo public looking for an awesome shot on a Harley then let me know or pay Jason a visit. He's in Gateway Dr Whakatane or just hit the link above.