HOT OFF THE PRESS - SPORTING ACTION

Post by Judy@Gallery21

To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition,

 in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event.

  Henri Cartier-Bresson

Hamilton, New Zealand (aka“events city”) has hosted two popular sporting events this month. The annual “Round the Bridges” running and walking event and “The Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic” – the biggest event of its type in the country held on the Waikato River.  Gallery 21 photographers were there to capture some of the action.

(All images © Copyright Gallery 21 Photography)

OPEN YOUR (PHOTOGRAPHIC) EYE TO YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Posted by Judy@Gallery21

“The important thing is not the camera but the eye.” – Alfred Eisenstaedt

(German-American photographer and photojournalist)

For enthusiastic amateur or professional photographers some of the best photo opportunities can be found in your own backyard or neighbourhood. 

Waikato River - within walking distance of  my home

Often we are in awe of photographs taken in exotic places, but most of us really don’t have to travel any further than our own areas to find some wonderful photo locations.  Because our neighbourhoods are so familiar to us, we tend to take things for granted and think of them as ordinary, often failing to see just how extraordinary they may be.  It’s just a matter of taking the time to stop and observe and developing that “photographer’s” eye i.e. the ability to really pay attention to details around you.      

Often you may need to visit a location several times before you get your shot.  A distinct advantage of being able to photograph in your own neighbourhood is that you are on the spot and can be there at a moment’s notice to catch the desired conditions for the shot envisaged. 

Californian Quaile snapped in my garden

Another advantage is that you’re likely to have explored the area where you live and have a good knowledge of some unusual or unique features that a casual visitor may be unaware of.  Make the most of these opportunities.  Experiment at different times of the day in different weather conditions, at different angles, to get the shots you want.

There are a myriad of subjects and the list is only limited by your imagination, your perception, your creativity. These attributes are just some of the things that can set you apart and provide those unique shots.  Some examples to get those creative juices flowing could include gardens, birds, pets, statues, sculptures, parks, street scenes, river, lake and beach scenes, events, buildings, architecture etc.    Write down some ideas of your own, do some research on the best shooting conditions and then go and capture those photographs.   Remember though, to be sensitive to people and if you are shooting close up, always ask their permission.

NEW LIFE FOR OLD KODAK CAMERAS CAMERABLOG #1

 Post by Judy@Gallery21



         "The virtue of the camera is not the power it has to transform the photographer into an artist, but
           the impulse it gives him to keep on looking"    Brooke Atkinson, American Journalist and Critic

Throughout my life, there has always been a camera in our family and some of my future Blogs will feature the wonderful cameras (old and new) which are still very much a part of my life today.

The oldest camera is a Kodak Rainbow Hawkeye No 2 Model C brown box camera made in England which I inherited and which has been in my family ever since I can remember.  It was given to my father when he was a child and over many decades it recorded precious memories, which are still available in albums for our family and friends to enjoy. 

When released on the market from 1930 – 1933, this camera was available in blue, brown, green, maroon and vermilion and the 120 film it uses is still available today.  It has a single speed rotary shutter, a Meniscus lens and a cardboard body covered in leatherette. 

My very first camera was this Kodak Instamatic 25 Camera made in England and it took a great photo.  My parents bought it for me as a child, and I still continue to enjoy the many holiday snaps and wonderful memories recorded over the years. 

  

The Instamatic 25 is a viewfinder camera for Kodapak film cartridges and was made from 1966 to 1972 by Kodak Ltd England and Kodak Spain, to a design by Kenneth Grange, a British industrial designer.  (Just digressing for a moment - he was also responsible for designing a number of cameras for Kodak Ltd, as well as many other well known products such as the Kenwood Chef food mixer, the first UK parking meters, razors for Wilkinson Sword, and the Parker 25 pen).  

Compared to the sophisticated cameras of today, the Instamatic 25 was uncomplicated and simple to use.  It has a two-speed shutter and uses a 126 film, which is no longer available.  Its speed selector can be shifted from the sun symbol (1/90 sec.) to the half-sun symbol (1/40 sec.). The Kodak 1:11/43mm lens is fixed focus and fixed aperture.  The viewfinder is of reverse Galilean type. The flash shoe is for Kodalux bulb flashes.

These cameras now form part of a permanent collection exhibited in Gallery 21 the photographic art gallery I co-own and they regularly attract visitor comment and interest.  

TIPS FOR BUDDING FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHERS

Posted by Judy@ Gallery21  

“A mad, keen photographer needs to get out into

the world and work and make mistakes”. - Sam Abel l (American Photographer)

Professional photographers will all have different stories about where and how their photographic careers began.  Mine began with an interest in writing developed during a previous career.  After formalising my writing skills with further training and qualifications, I opted for a complete career change 15 years’ ago, contracting as a Freelance Writer to newspapers, magazines and businesses.

It wasn’t long before it became apparent to me that the majority of my work was either not being illustrated or was being poorly illustrated with photographs taken by others. Often those images fell well short of the mark in relevance and quality and did not depict at all what I had in my mind.   I decided there was only one thing to do.  I needed to be able to illustrate my writing with my own photographs!

I set about honing my photographic skills, becoming thoroughly familiar with my equipment, with plenty of practice and experimentation.  Marketing, business and financial skills (essential for successful freelancers) and a formal qualification were also added to the mix.  This equipped me well in the dual career in freelance writing and photography that followed.  These credentials and good contacts opened doors to work opportunities.

One of my more interesting assignments was a stint as sole journalist/photographer for a Community Newspaper.  Although an extremely satisfying and creative role, it was also challenging, requiring a wide variety of subjects to be photographed in many different environments.  I certainly had to think on my feet and outside the square big time!

Having to often work at a moment’s notice at odd hours and meet tight deadlines and not having a regular income may not be for everyone, but I really enjoyed the flexibility freelancing offered. 

Here’s some of my tips for budding freelancers:

1) Have a real passion for what you are doing

2) Get a portfolio together to show what you can do

3) Develop a really good contacts network

4) Be determined and motivated enough to pursue opportunities

5) Always be reliable, well organised and flexible

6) Have a good working knowledge of your equipment

7) Keep perfecting your photographic skills and experimenting

8) Be realistic about what your start up costs might be

9) Identify and develop your niche as this will influence your equipment needs

10) Develop good marketing, business and financial skills 

11) Enrol in a small business management course

12) Keep up to date with new techniques and technologies

13) Enter photographic competitions

14) Join an online forum or a photographic club

15) Practice, practice, practice and never stop learning

Nowadays I specialise in photographing mainly landscapes, nature and the built environment and exhibit and sell my work in Gallery 21, the photographic art gallery I co-own. 

Photography has given me a much better appreciation of the world around me and allowed me to share my own unique perspective.  One of my greatest motivators is the belief that I can always do better.  Even for Pros, photography is a continuous learning experience.  

Leave a comment, inspire others, share your photographic journey and aspirations.

WHAT INSPIRES MY PHOTOGRAPHY?

 Post by Judy @ Gallery 21

"Photography as a powerful medium of expression and communications,

offers an infinite variety of perception, interpretation and execution".  Ansel Adams

  

In this, my very first blog, let me introduce myself and give you a  brief insight into the environment I live in, as this provides the inspiration for much of my photography.

I'm Judy a  photographer, writer, wife  and animal lover.  I specialise in photographing landscapes, nature and the built environment.  I also co-own with my husband,  Gallery 21, a photographic art gallery, where I exhibit and sell my work.

Home for me is Hamilton, New Zealand.   It is the largest city in the heart of the lush farmlands of the Waikato region in the North Island.  This wonderful countryside constantly inspires me, no matter what season of the year.  The mighty Waikato River, New Zealand's longest,  flows through the city and it's variety of different moods are also the focus of many of my images.


I am fortunate to live close to this wonderful scenery and this has many advantages for a photographer - but that's a topic for a future blog!


There's a link  from this Blog site to the official tourism website for the region if you wish to know more about Hamilton and the Waikato. 

I'll look forward to sharing photographs, tips, insights and great Blogs with you in the future.