One Step Closer to World Domination

Hey guys, well this photographer has a website. Yeah I know, why has it taken him so long so get around to it?? Good question. So with no excuses from me, you can check it out at

http://www.troybakerphotography.co.nz/

Feed back welcome.

The Covers Are Off II

And so after far to long a wait, here is the next set of three.

I know the series was based around the "shared human experience" but I did stray a little here. This image portrays the Greek goddess Persephone. The story may be a bit long winded to go through here but a quick goggle search will tell all. This pic only took about 2 hrs to complete so was one of the quicker to setup and capture.



Next we have an image I hope the fairer sex will relate to. It highlights the tasks and responsibilities women have had to face from the colonial years through to the current day. This is supposed to be the age where women have independence, personal freedom and choice? The chimney symbolises the past with the drees and shes the present and the basket of washing??

Well there are some things that just haven't changed.

I love this image as its relevant to the days we live in. It demonstrates that we are tied to this world, our actions influence it and shows we are not immune to the changes in the planets delicate biological balance. Although some may argue this is not a human experience, but a common realisation!, if we all do nothing to change our ways, we will all have a rather nasty experience.

I have no immediate plans to stop designing and photographing pictures for this project. I am learning to so and having to much fun to stop now.

The Covers Are Off

The Covers are off and the moment of truth has arrived. After two years of working on this project I have finally managed to get 6 pieces into a public exhibition. This is the first time I have really had one of my personal projects displayed in public but I am sure I am not the first photographer to feel a few opening night nerves on there first showing. For any one out there who can get to the Whakatane War Memorial hall complex, I welcome your feed back on what has been a fun and enlightening journey to create a series designed to capture some elements of the human condition.


So here is the first three.

One I was told "If you want to succeed, never give up" well it didn't take me Long to realise that although this may sound like good advise the key is to know when to give up. The watering of box thorn, (a flower long gone) is a waste of time and energy so be aware, pull back now and then, reassess then try a different direction.

If there's one thing that fascinates me its youth. I had a fantastic childhood with not a care in the world and time just didn't matter. I believe that even at my age I still have more child within me that adult so thought it appropriate to highlight the promise of youth in the above image.

In our lives one of the lessons we all have to learn I (some take longer than others) is that there are consequences to all of our actions no matter how small. What better way to illustrate this that to photograph a scene reminiscent of the tale of Adam and Eve but with a slight modern twist.

Next Three coming soon.

Its That Time Of Year Again.

Well its that time of year again, the birds are singing, the suns shinning and love is in the air. Yes you guessed, its the wedding season. Beautiful brides and handsome grooms can be seen gracing local roads, beaches, parks and hilltops.

Weddings are fantastic. Its such an amazing moment shared between a couple there family and friends. To be asked to record those moments in pictures is really an honour that shouldn't be taken for granted.

The Game Is On.

Yes people, as mentioned before, my butt is in the hot seat so if my start to the new year is anything to go by, I'm in for a wild ride.

So I kicked things off with two biggies, the Summer X and the Opotiki Rodeo but hey, you've got to love it. The deafening noise, the chocking dust (finding its way into every unprotected camera part) the heaving crowds, it all make for a noisy, dirty series of fantastic pictures.

These are two events I love to cover and the crowds flock to them every year. Despite the extensive de-dusting exercise on all of my equipment and myself plus the sunburn, I get a kick out of checking out the pics on my PC and sharing the results.

The Temperatures Rising.

Well as you all may have heard, the Beacon is now minus another photographer leaving me here on my own. So far so good with only a couple of really insane days to deal with. This may be generally our slow period as far as news goes but the past two weeks has been the exception with 4 fires a couple of road crashes and a train derailment.











So I guess this will make for a rather interesting environment when this really hot up around here.
Its not going to be easy but am looking forward to the challenge.

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.