I'm Out There...

OK, I couldn't help myself. I have a whole bunch of recordings of me blasting out some of my favourites songs, so I thought I would set up a new blog so everyone can ridicule me. Damn I am a brave man! To hear my attempts at some of my faves, click here....

Back From Argentina

Well, I am back, safe and well from Northern Argentina. What an incredible country! What an incredible trip! What fabulous photographic opportunities this country offers! Each day afforded a level of diversity in images I have never before experienced in any other country in the world, and I have seen my share. To photograph festivals and cultural events, portraits, landscapes, wildlife and social documentary images in the space of a day was not unusual, and the diversity of each of these categories changed daily with each new location, each new adventure.

It even changed my own appearance! (Photo courtesy: Bob 'El Presidente' Cook.)

My Nikon D200 performed brilliantly, producing 10 megapixel images that I can use for almost any purpose. I also used a Ricoh GR Digital for some of the candid 'street' images. Lenses ranged from my Tamron 11 -18 through to my 300mm AF-ID Nikkor. My favourites were the new Tamron 17-50 f2.8, my AF NIkkor 80-200 f2.8 and my 85mm f1.8, the lens I live in.

Speaking at Southern Suburbs Photographic Society

Upon my return from Argentina, one of the first things I am going to do is speak at Southern Suburbs Photographic Society. (Hopefully I will be over the jetlag!) This will be Tuesday 5th of September at 8pm. Southern Suburbs meet at the Uniting Church Hall, Hemming Street, Brighton East. (Melway Map 77C4.) For more information about Southern Suburbs, click here. I will once again be presenting my lecture on the subject of People Photography. If you are interested in the subject, or just wish to hang around with fellow photographers, make sure to come on down. Camera Clubs and Associations are the perfect way to find birds of a feather who flock together. Some of them are pretty crazy birds too! There will be free copies of Total Image, new friends to make and coffee and biscuits to have. Hope to see you there!

Shelton and Tamron, Together in Argentina

Well, its nearly that time again. As part of my annual obligations, I am leading a photographic tour to yet another incredible part of the world. Its a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it. This year I am taking a group of fun loving photophiles to Argentina - visiting Iguacu Falls, The Culural region of Ibera, Buenos Aires and many fabulous places in between. Two days will be spent photographing the Gaucho Cowboys on actual Argentinian Estancias or ranches. There will be festivals, wildlife, culture, landscapes and of course the inevitable Mecca of every photo tour I run - the local marketplaces. I will be returning on the 27th of August with thousands more images to add to my collection, and a few stories to tell no doubt. Look for the new images on my website when I return!

Interestingly, Tamron Japan, in conjunction with their Importers here in Australia have asked me to produce and present images taken with their new 17-50 f2.8 lens. I am looking forward to using that! I am honoured to have been asked. Tamron make superb optics and I already own their 11-18 Wide Angle zoom. Look for the images that I take with their new 17-50 f2.8.

We will be photographing through the Northwestern provinces of Salta and Jujuy, a region of contrasting landscapes such as cloud forests, valleys with huge cacti groves and the Altiplano or Puna, territory close to the borders with Bolivia and Chile (the Atacama desert), with an important cultural heritage of the native people of the Andes. We will visit old colonial towns in the valleys of Salta and Jujuy for photographing the wineries and the work related to the wine production, as well as the native people using the agricultural terraces built by the Incas and the primitive tribes. The tour will be set in the period in which the people of the mountains and valleys make their ceremonies to the Mother Earth or Pachamama, to the Sun and to the Christian saints in order to pray for better times, for a good harvest and for a successful reproduction of their sheep and llamas.The last part of the trip will be in the northeast of Argentina, the subtropical region of the Ibera marshlands and the Iguazú rainforest. In Iberá the group will stay in an authentic cattle working ranch, where we will focus on the life and work of the gauchos, those famous horsemen of Argentina, as well as in the rich wildlife of the area. At Iguazú we will visit the spectacularIguazú Falls, considered the most spectacular waterfalls on Earth, and have also chances to shoot local farms and colorful markets.

See you when I get back!

Shelton on Radio 3AW

I will once again be appearing on Australia's highest rating afternoon radio program, Afternoons with Ernie Sigley. Listen as we banter together about photography this Tuesday the 8th of August at around 2:00. 3Aw is AM 693 or click on the logo to listen online!

A Cold Day in Hell...I mean Cranbourne...

This shoot for Mylund - a major client of mine - and Onley Homes resulted in an architectural and commercial image that I have not been asked to do many times in my career. Now I know why I haven't minded. After a couple of decades of pro shooting you find that you get to shoot just about everything. All I remember was that it was a cold evening in Cranbourne as I waited for the setting sun to do its stuff...Next time I am packing my Gortex!

My Other Passion

My other passion is singing. Here I am with pianist Jonathon Cox at the National Theatre singing "My One and Only Love" and "What a Difference a Day Makes". I don't often get to perform with live musicians or at this kind of venue, so it was all just too much fun! Ah, 'but can the guy actually sing?', you may ask. If you are curious, download my recorded version of "Fever" here ...and decide for yourself!

Corporate Training in Photography

Beginning in August, I will be initiating a new venture in Corporate Training. Photography is one of the most popular and accessible pastimes, and without doubt one of the most enjoyable. As part of my continuous teaching and lecturing commitments, I will be including interactive photographic training for corporate events. For bookings and further information, please feel free to contact me via the contact details on my website. Prices for corporate training events are P.o.A.

Shelton's Editorial in Better Photography

I am proud to be a regular contributor to Better Photography magazine. The latest issue, out now, features my article on the subject of composing using leading lines. Better Photography is available in newsagencies now.

Latest Issue is Out

Well, after a lot of toil and sweat, the latest issue of Total Image and Better Pictures is available from leading photo retailers. Better Pictures is available from all Camera House stores. This issue highlights the understanding of lenses and gives you good reasons to use your tripod. Get your copy today!

Shelton Speaks At Essendon

On Monday the 26th of June I will be speaking at Essendon Camera Club, 134 Buckley St, Essendon, Melways ref 28, F4. The subject will be People in Photographs and is a Powerpoint presentation discussing techniques behind successful images of people. The presentation begins at 8pm and will go for about an hour. I look forward to seeing you there!

Shoot with Dan Paris and Keira Ballis for Kodak Australia

I had the pleasure recently of doing a shoot for Kodak Australia, for whom I do quite an amount of photography....which is great. I mean, which photographer doesn't want the worlds greatest imaging company for his major client? Anyway, the shoot involved working with Dan Paris, formerly of Neighbours and who now writes for my magazine Total Image. Dan is an accomplished photographer in his own right. I also had the pleasure of working with Kiera Ballis, a young model who worked above and beyond the call of duty in terms of hours spent and effort expended. The images will be seen at Kodak Stand at the upcoming industry PICA Expo in Sydney at the end of April.