Tag: Photography

Profiling Photographers – Michael Rawle

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

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.

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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.

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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:

Doomscrolling Couple

Profiling Photographers

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography
'Light and Form'
‘Light and Form’

As part of the Photography section of this Blog, I will be shortly commencing a series of articles based around Photographers I either know or have come across in my travels since commencing the Artform of Photography myself in 1982. Some are Professional, some Semi-Professional and some are Enthusiasts.

It is my intention to obtain their responses to a brief number of questions which will aim to depict their thoughts on Photography itself and what inspires them to create their images.

Some examples of their images and links to their online galleries shall also be included.

It is not the intention to discuss ‘gear’ in these Profiles (although it will state what gear they do use and what attracted them to use it to communicate their message).  There exists a lot of wonderful equipment however, there are enough “Equipment Review’ sites out there to satisfy, I believe.

As a devotee of communication, and in particular, of photography for 30+ years I have been privileged to be associated with and have come across some outstanding practitioners of the Artform in that time.

Each of us ‘sees’ the world differently and thus will communicate it differently.

Through these ‘Photography Profiles’, it is my aim to celebrate their viewpoints and images with a new audience.

Written & Photographed by David Johnson

Inspirations – Photography: Duane Michals b.1932

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

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

 

‘Photography Of The Age’ – Newspaper Photography In Australia

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books, Photography

The title of this article comes from a photographic book I purchased some years ago. It’s about Newspaper photography within Australia, highlighting the 22 photographers who shot for ‘The Age’ Newspaper in Victoria. The book was published in 1993.

It is compiled by Kathleen Whelan, Photographer, who has a Masters Degree in Education and whose images are in collections in Australia, the USA and Peru.

Before it moves onto the photographers it discusses the role of the newspaper, legal and ethical constraints, processing, IMG_2808presentation, the press photographer’s role and characteristics of good newspaper photographs to name but a few of the areas covered.

Moving onto the photographers, the author delves into the minds of the photographers, gaining insights as to ther individual views as to ‘what they look for’ and ‘how their minds work’ when searching for and conveying an idea. Example images from each of the photographers are included.

Towards the rear of the book there are several case studies that cover the image, statement, camera use, design and print quality of selected photographs.

Finally, there are 26 ‘projects’ for the aspiring Photography, Art, Studio Art or Media Studies students to do.

All in all a fascinating book that I am grateful that I have on my bookshelf. I find it an inspiring read, packed with images that inspire, intrigue and amuse.

Written by David Johnson
7 September 2015

There Are No ’36 Megapixel Brushes….’

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting, Photography

A long, long time ago (when Photography was first invented) Painters were worried that this new Art would kill them off. Why would anyone need to paint when you could just take a photo?

Of course this proved to be a fallacy. The Art of Painting grew.

Fast-forward to the 21st Century, where Digital technology has seen the most wondrous advances in photo production (the Megapixel race continues), where image manipulation software turns photos into Watercolour, Oil, Sketches and thousands of other effects are possible in a myriad of combinations.

Is there a threat to the Art of Painting now?

No.

Just like in Photography, Painting requires technical skill however (all things being equal) our individual imagination, ideas and expressive ability are what set us all apart.

In Photography it has never been easier to obtain a ‘technically competent image’ with all the technological advances that have been made. Technology however has not yet been able to replace our imagination. Photographers continue to express their ideas in new and interesting ways, based on their individuality, their environment and the influences present in their lives.

In Painting, whilst there are different grade brushes, paint and canvas options, there are no ’36 Megapixel brushes’ to give the Artist a technically-competent painting. The Painter must continue to endeavour to master the techniques and then introduce their imagination and ideas and be able to express them.

As a Photographer of 33 years and (at this point) a casual Painter of 3 years, the challenge is ahead to endeavour to master the technical aspects of painting so that I may then use my imagination to express my ideas to their fullest.

It is a challenge I am really looking forward to!

Written by David Johnson
6 September 2015

Inspirations… Photography

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Whenever we have an interest, be it in Art, Sport, Work or in another area of Life, there are people that will inspire you.

Over time I will be highlighting the men, women and groups that have (or still do) inspire me.

I begin with one of my favourite photographers, Margaret Bourke-White: (1904 – 1971)

Margaret Bourke-White was a pioneer in many ways and her specialties included Photojournalism, Social Documentation, Architectural, Industrial and War photography, working in predominantly Black & White. She was one of LIFE Magazine’s most prolific photographers.

20150820-IMG_2573-1Margaret Bourke-White had a fascinating life full of challenges and adventures. I remain captivated by her imagery and her boldness in overcoming both work-related and personal challenges throughout her prolific photo-taking period from 1920’s through the 1950’s. She was indeed a pioneer.

In photographing in a Steel plant she used heavy equipment (that today would seem antiquated) and experimented with lenses, films, Magnesium flares and her imagination to obtain dramatic Industrial images.

Margaret Bourke-White also worked with Writer, Erskine Caldwell on the ‘You Have Seen Their Faces’ Sharecropper farmers that affected 10,000,000 Southern Family lives in the United States in 1936. The project was approached in a compassionate manner. The images are powerful and depict the farmers’ harsh way of life…

She was a pioneer of the ‘photo essay’ and photographed many of the leaders of her time, including Gandhi, Pope Pius XII, Stalin, Roosevelt, Churchill.

I look at her images and can see a great sense of personal involvement from her in them. Immersing herself into her subjects, she was able to bring out graphic emotion and the beauty of light, shape and form. I have two books i.e. her autobiography, “Portrait of Myself” and the book pictured above.

A true inspiration!

Written by David Johnson
20 August 2015

Recommended reading:

“I am not interested in shooting new things – I am interested to see things new.” Ernst Haas

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

The title of this post is from one of my favourite Photographers.

There are quite literally millions of things to photograph and no photographer could rightly claim to have photographed everything there is, however we do not need to.

Hand Rail (outside McDonalds)
Hand Rail (outside McDonalds)

I often hear the comment, ‘there is nothing to photograph…” An amazing statement really… As I sit in my office I look out the window (in suburbia currently), I see many subjects and many ideas come to mind of what/how I could photograph them.

The problem isn’t the lack of subject matter. The problem is that we wander around blissfully unaware of our surroundings and we also get caught up in the world, rushing here rushing there.

STOP! Just for one moment wherever you are reading this! Look around.

Do you see a tree? Yes. Look at it as if it is not a tree, but an idea generator, branches as conduit bringing forth ideas (leaves) and photograph it accordingly…

Do you see a fence? Yes. Look at it as if it is not a fence, but a palette. A palette that has light dancing over it creating form and texture, lines and shapes.

Are you a glamour/nude photographer? View the body, not as a body but as a sculpture; view it as part of the landscape and photograph it accordingly…

Are you a flower photographer? View the flower, not as a flower but as a person with a personality…

Visual Diary
A4 Visual Diary

It is not lack of subject matter, it’s a lack of ideas.

The continued challenge as a photographer is that we need to reinvent and apply new ideas to the subject matter or as Ernst Haas eloquently puts it…

“I am not interested in shooting new things – I am interested to see things new.” Ernst Haas

Today, what will you see? How will you communicate it?

Written by David Johnson
3 August 2015

Your Creative Journey

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Stories From Life

As an Artist, (whether you are a painter, photographer, musician, speaker, sculptor or any kind of visual artist) you must continue to feed your mind, ask questions of the world and ponder. Your Art is your attempt to answer those questions and in doing so you can add your flavour to society.

So how do you feed your mind?

* Reading books and other literature
* Attending Exhibitions (not just the Art you like either)
* Watching movies, documentaries and other media
* Attending lectures and presentations
* Getting together with your peers or Artists outside your realm
* Go outside your comfort zone
* Attending workshops
* Spending time contemplating about your style, about your world

Experiencing that which is outside your realm of interest is important as well. This has the effect of stretching your world-view and opens your mind to other possibilities. Your feelings about this may reveal to you a new way of seeing ‘the old’ which then will translate into your Art.

Why do all this?

You are a product of your environment. You have been subjected to different influences (chosen or otherwise). You have beliefs and your own thoughts.

Like any endeavour, you will want to grow and evolve, communicate through expressions of your Art.

The world wants to see what and how you feel about things. The world wants to see your flavour, a flavour that can help grow the world into news ways of appreciation and seeing.

The world is waiting…just waiting for you to inspire us!

Written by David Johnson
31 July 2015

The Joy Of Instagram

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Photography

Before the dawn of Smartphones and apps like Instagram, we photographers always liked to carry a camera with us for a high percentage of the time, be it your SLR camera or a compact of some description.

The reason was simple. You never know what you would come across during your day and you certainly would not want to miss out on that ‘photographic opportunity.’ In practice though we did not always take a camera with us.

For a fair while now we have had the phones and the apps with us and their usefulness increases each year.

One of my favourite apps is now Instagram. Whilst the images cannot be enlarged all that much I am taking more and images this way. I still use my DSLR for my business and serious personal projects however when I don’t have my DSLR with me I enjoy pulling out the camera and taking shots of images that impress me as I go about my daily routines.

I have included a few here however please feel free to check out my Instagram page.

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If you don’t have an Instagram page as yet, consider having one. I feel it helps me continue to ‘train my eye’ on a daily basis and it’s a lot of fun too!

https://instagram.com/lightinspireddj/

Written & photographed by David Johnson
© Light Inspired & CommunicatingCreatively/David Johnson 2015

Welcome!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Haiku Poetry, Painting, Photography, Poetry, Public Speaking, Stories From Life

Hi, I’m David Johnson and I have a passion for expressing myself creatively.

I love to observe the world and then, love to endeavour to communicate what I see via mediums I find fun!

Welcome to my NEW Blog!

In 2013 I started 2 Blogs on WordPress:
lightinspired.wordpress.com – Photography
observationswritings.wordpress.com – Poetry/Writing

Photography: Started in 1982
Public Speaking: Started in 2008
Oil Painting: Started in 2012
Poetry: Started in 2013 & have written 130 poems
Writing: Started in 2013

Photography has been the dominate interest for a long time in my life however the other interests have been ‘gaining ground’ over the past few years, and in some cases are now combining.

Seeing that the interests are all ‘communicative’ ones I thought I would combine them into one page, rather than have 3-4 individual blogs.

Some brief notes on my background…

Camera Clubs:
A member since 1986 & currently a (founding – 2004) member of Southern Highlands Photographic Society.

Photographic Judge:
Since 1995 with Federation of Camera Clubs (NSW) Ltd

Light Inspired:
My Fine Art Photography business

Toastmasters International:
A member since 2008 & am currently a member of Camden Toastmasters & The Grange Toastmasters Clubs.

Some of the content from my previous blogs will make it to this new blog however it is my main aim to have new content on ‘Communicating Creatively.’

I hope you enjoy my latest foray into blogging! 🙂