Tag: journey
Profiling Photographers – Kenneth Hall – Gwondana Photography Pty Ltd
Welcome to the second instalment of ‘Profiling Photographers.’ I have known Kenneth Hall for many years via a few different projects/associations. Kenneth, through his background and interests, has a unique view of Australia which he imparts to those who view his photography and of course, his customers in his growing ‘Australian Photography Tours’ business. Thank you to Kenneth for agreeing to be part of this series.
Gear: Primary Canon 5D plus range of L series lenses
1. Why did you choose Photography as your medium of communication?
I have spent all my life outdoors starting as a child on the Yorkshire Moors with my father followed by many years travelling the world as a professional soldier and finally immigration to Australia.
I was also a dedicated solo bushwalker later developing and operating bushwalking clubs as well as being a member of six additional clubs.
I love nature so it was a natural step to take for me into photography.
Australia is a good place to be as a photographer and living in Macarthur gives me access to many areas of NSW.
The colours of Australia are superb, particularly dawn, sunrise and sunset. Much of my photography is undertaken at these times.
What better way to communicate with people than using colour?
Most people are visual and to use that old saying “a picture says a thousand words.”
2. Which Photographers have been the greatest influences on you & why?
Ansel Adams, his landscapes are superb and created with the minimum of equipment.
Several from National Geographic – they are engaged in many projects around the world. One example is Paul Nicklen. They have the reputation, money and backing of an internationally known organisation. I associate their photographers with high-quality photographs with very daring and difficult to obtain compositions
Alfred Stieglitz – for his contribution to photography. It is wonderful to be known for what one did and remembered with affection.
“Adams credits three people for driving his interest in photography, Wesson and Strand and Stieglitz but it is Stieglitz that he regarded as the most important. He also regarded that first solo show in New York as the most important of his career.”
Steve McCurry – in particular for his “Afghan Girl”. Pay him a visit, his gallery says it all “http://stevemccurry.com/galleries”
3. What inspires you to create the type of images that you do?
Australia and NSW. I never become bored with nature, it is a passion.
Photography, when used in tours leads onto other things. My clients have many questions about Australia, its people, nature and our First People.
I have led a great life, none so good as my now nearing 40 years in Australia.
At one time whilst working on a four-year project on Longwall mining I was privileged to spend one day every week with a tribal elder. It was the most incredible education.
This led onto research as far back as Gondwana and the super-continent Pangea.
Our business reflects this in the choice of Gwondana, the birth of Australia as it broke away from Pangea.
I am a very proud Australian by choice.
Besides being heavily involved in landscape photography and in my book that covers everything but weddings, portraits and modelling I still do commercial photography for my clients.
This came about because of the high prices charged by professional photographers when I was optimising clients websites.
4. What do you think makes your style unique?
I don’t know that I have a unique style. If I have then I hope it is for a celebration of Australia.
5. Do you have any advice for an aspiring photographer?
Get out of bed early.
Seek advice, find a mentor, learn patience and practice.
Photography is all about people, not equipment.
6. What is the next big adventure for you, photographically?
I have already started on a heritage buildings project.
In 2016, I will be visiting the UK, Canada and Alaska.
We have now taken on board the NSW Central West in the Goldfields and hooked up with Viator and a large Australia wide real estate organisation.
More of Kenneth Hall’s images can be viewed at:
Australian Photography Tours – Gwondana Photography Pty Ltd
http://www.australian-photography-tours.com
http://www.australian-sightseeing-tours.com.au
https://plus.google.com/+Australianphotographytours698/posts
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Australian-Photography-Tours/319705881489289
https://www.facebook.com/naroomaphotographytours
http://34-kenneth-hall.artistwebsites.com/
Journal Of Thoughts
Profiling Photographers – Michael Rawle
This is the first in a new series of Photography posts that will appear regularly on this Blog. I have known Michael for approx. 25 years and we first met at Campbelltown Camera Club (now, Macarthur Photographic Society) in Sydney, Australia. A big thanks to Michael for sharing his thoughts and images!
Gear:
Currently favor and use Olympus micro 4/3 mirrorless system (E-M5 & E-M1)
I still however have (and will probably use in future)
2 x Olympus 4/3 DSLRs (E410 & E520), and
3 x Olympus OM system SLRs (OM2n, OM40, OM4)
1. Why did you choose Photography as your medium of communication?
I developed a love of movies from a very early age (my family were all film buffs) and I quickly warmed to the visual language of film in terms of both aesthetics, and in triggering an emotional response and in storytelling. In my late teen’s this translated to a love of a photography and still images and a desire to be able to capture images myself as a form of creative self-expression.

2. Which Photographers have been the greatest influences on you & why?
There are many photographers who impress me with their ability to capture wonderful images, master visual story-telling, and clearly share my sensibilities and world view. Some of these would include:
David Bailey; Max Dupain; Ansel Adams; Robert Capa; David Moore; Lewis Morley; Annie Leibovitz; Henri Cartier-Bresson; Bill Henson; Frank Hurley; Robert Mapplethorpe; William Yang; Harold Cazneaux… etc etc
3. What inspires you to create the type of images that you do?
To create strong images that are aesthetically satisfying, but also make an emotional connection to the viewer and have the ability to tell a story.
4. What do you think makes your style unique?
I don’t know if it is, however as we are all unique as people I like to think I bring my own character, personality, passions and sensibility to my creative endeavors and hopefully this is expressed in my images.

5. Do you have any advice for an aspiring photographer?
Follow your passions, be open to learning and be inspired by others, but above all stay true to yourself
6. What is the next big adventure for you, photographically?
Self-publishing books of my images; and exploring video as an extension to my love of the still image.
To look at more of Michael’s images:
Moving House
Settling back
My feet are so sore
Moving house
Is such a chore!
First the packing
Culling on the way
Wish I could do this
Another day!
Embrace the move
With such clarity
Give things away
To your local charity
The garage sale is
An intriguing beast
As one and all
Come to feast
Searching for a bargain
Haggling a price
It can be such a tiresome
Exercise
The day of moving
Comes too quick
It seems you can’t
Just take a trick
Furniture and boxes
Everywhere
Your helpers take
So much care
When the moving is over
You look around
Surrounded by boxes
You feel so bound
As the stress subsides
You start to see
Moving house
Helps you to be free
Free of the things
That have cluttered your life
It’s another chance
To set things right
Less is more
We often hear
Moving house
Lets you clear
Ready to move on
With your Life’s journey
Time to act on
Your great yearnings!
Written by David Johnson
14 November 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
The Beauty Of Life
The beauty of life
Comes from within
Programmed by the Universe
Just waiting to begin
Without any coaching
It’s direction is clear
To exist in the world
And provide that good cheer
Growing into its life
Bearing fruit to one and all
Shining in the Sun
Thirsting in rain’s fall
When it’s fruit is all given
The process begins anew
Sharing it’s life
A chance to renew
Written by David Johnson
10 October 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
‘Morning Pages’
Morning Pages
Are a treat
A chance for you
To press ‘delete’
Stream of consciousness
Is the goal
Writing from within
The deepest of Souls
Clearing the mind
Is what it achieves
Wearing your Heart
On it’s sleeve
At the conclusion
Pen and paper retired
Your brain is now
So unwired
Free to create
Without the clutter
Creative thoughts now
You can utter
Written by David Johnson
12 September 2015
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
With thanks to Julia Cameron for your inspiration!
Find out more at: http://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/
Inspirations – Photography: Duane Michals b.1932
Duane Michal’s Art has, throughout his photographic life been met with controversy as he has a non-conformist view of photography.
“The Joy Of Photography Volume 2” indicates that his chief inspiration was Surrealism. The Surrealistic Painters, he said, ‘always contradict people’s assumptions, whilst photographers never do.’
Duane Michals often attempted to ‘play with people’s minds’ in his Art rather than ‘record’ a scene, whether it be shooting standalone images or shooting a series of images on a theme.
He said the magic was ‘seeing people in different ways.’
He preferred Environmental Portraiture and worked in Black & White with existing light and compared his photography with the writing of fiction. He often placed a familiar subject (or object) in unfamiliar territory or in an unfamiliar way or context.
One of my favourite photographic quotes is attributed to him….
“Trust that little voice in your head that says, ‘wouldn’t it be interesting if….’ and then do it.” – Duane Michals.
I first came across the above quote in 1982 (when my own serious photographic journey began).
Duane Michals inspires me in ‘how I think about photography.’ As I am shooting that quote springs to mind every time and I encourage every photographer to do the same.
I’ve included the following link so that you can view some of his images.
http://duanemichals.tumblr.com
Into The Distance
Into the distance
Our mind forecasts
Better things
Than in times past
Working hard
Change the tune
Thinking smart
Toward that fortune
Restless Spirit
Needs reassuring
Imagination
Quite alluring
Focus required
Plans in place
Steady as she goes
Still in the race!
Written by David Johnson
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015
Remnants Of Life
Riding along the highway
Desert clouds loom
Out from the horizon
Hear the thunder boom!
Rain, it falls
Like sheets of glass
Tearing across
Long dried out grass
Ghostly calls are heard
Long borne in strife
Clamouring for attention
Mere remnants of life
Rising from the Earth
Those next in line
Continue their journey
An infinite paradigm…
Written by David Johnson
© CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015




