Speaking at Photo Expo

I had the immense privilege of speaking the Pakenham Photo Barn Photo Expo yesterday, instructing the attendees there in ways of improving in their photography. The event was a huge success with hundreds attending from all parts of Melbourne. I spoke on three topics, which rotated during the course of the day - Ten Tips to Better Pictures, Improving Your Travel Photography and Taking Better People Pictures. It goes without saying that I was getting rather tongue tied by the end of the day. Nonetheless, I enjoy teaching and public speaking and I am always encouraged when I can help others to improve in their photography.

Nick and Katherine's Wedding

Well, today I had the privilege of photographing Nick and Katherine's wedding. Katherine works for Kodak, and because they one of my major clients, she and I have worked together several times. She and Nick were so much fun to photograph and I was treated as an honoured guest. It was very nice. Very nice indeed. Thank you both for the honour, and congratulations!

Congratulations Glen and Louise!

I am honoured to have been at Glen and Louise' wedding. They were such a fantastic couple! Their wedding was a relaxed and fun affair and I have seldom had a couple who were just so comfortable in front of a camera. They both told me that they were normally not that much at ease when being photographed but I find that hard to believe.

Photographing a wedding is an honour for any photographer. You are entrusted with so much that will be of such importance in years to come. Thank you to you both for honouring me, and for allowing me to have so much fun with you on your Day of Days.

Congratulations and best wishes to you both!

New Total Image and Better Pictures

The latest issues of Total Image and Better Pictures will be available from participating Australian photo retailers soon. This issue deals with some of the basics of exposure, and has a look at Tamron lenses. There is a great article by Greg Beyer about getting expression from your subjects and Ian Rolfe discusses the many decisions made in each landscape image. Plus Much More! Total Image is available from photo retailers across Australia and Better Pictures is available from Camera House stores.

My YouTube Tutorial

I learned a long time ago the power that depth of field has in highlighting the subject in an image and leading the eye through the frame. Some time ago my depth of field tutorial was placed on YouTube and has since had several thousand plays. Well, I hope the thousands who watch it are using Depth of Field to their advantage, or at least now understand its power in an image. If. you want to see it yourself, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzedefUXARE and check it out! Let me know what you think of it....I have some more plans.

Nathan's Photography

My son Nathan has achieved something quite incredible. His images from Canada are quite wonderful, and I am very proud of him. Nathan is only 15 and has endured Chronic Fatigue Syundrome since he was around 9. Naturally he has been exposed to all things photography in those 15 years. He has been to photographic conventions, hob nobbed within the industry and been in our house when it has been filled with photographers as guests. He has sat through endless slide shows and seen thousands of prints and he has been out shooting with some of the best photographers in the country, including Ian Rolfe and Dan Paris..and...me (he he...). No doubt all of this has become a part of him and he has learned from it. In Canada, he came into his own. He used my Nikon D100 while we were there and while he often found himself planted right next to his Dad, many of his images were taken on his own, created without any assistance from me. He has an innate vision and an excellent understanding of the creative and technical processes that make an image dynamic. These are just a few of the many he created. Well done son! I am proud.

Tamara and Graeme's Wedding

Congratulations to Tamara and Graeme and their newly formed family. I had the privilege of being a part of their special day recently...as their photographer of course! Well done to you both, and thanks for the honour to capture your day.

Shoot all the Lawyers

Corporate headshots are part and parcel of the life of most photographers. They are required for corporate profiles, internal newsletters, annual reports, websites and press releases. I was recently asked to set up a portable studio in the city offices of a major law firm and photograph each member of the law team.

The difficult thing often about a task such as this is that no matter how accomplished a person may be, few of us enjoy having our pictures taken. This includes lawyers. It even includes photographers! Trust me. I know! However, the photographer's task is to make each person as comfortable as possible, but not take too much of their time.

When Mark Twain said "Shoot all the Lawyers" I am sure he meant something far more sinister than taking their pictures. Me? I enjoy the process!