Issue 66 | september 2022 | digital artistry DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand
EDITOR’S REPORT By Pam Henderson 04 PHOTOSHOP ARTISTRY By Sebastian Michaels 05 MEAGHAN PRYOR - Holding On 07 MARK PASSFIELD - Sputnick 08 DENNIS RICKARD - Dingo1110SANDRA DANN - Sounds Of Silence I and II 37 ARTISTS ACHIEVEMENTSMONTHLY2215ILONA ABOU-ZOLOF - Dancing - Behind The Mask 26 KEVIN SIMS - Moon Rescue 44 ROSA PERRY - Celosia 40 PRUE WRIGHT - Alone With His Thoughts 30 MAUREEN MAXWELL - Where To Now? - Somewhere In Space 29 KAREN WAALWYK - A Mammoth Walk5756SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION By Andrew Haysom3632JUDI LAPSLEY MILLER - Resolute Beauty (Tui) 28 COLIN KILLICK - Tiliberin2524KIM RICCI - Beware The Queen’s Wrath 13 LYNETTE PAUL - Santorini Silhouette 41 BEV TERRAWSKYJ - Angelic Vortex 45 ANDREW HAYSOM - Isolation4342GERARD WHELAN - Ancient Tree - NZ Wild Flowers 09 ELENOR GILL - End Of Summer 27 JULIA RAE - The Key 06 INGRID JAKOBSEN - Terrace Houses - Window Reflections 39 HELEN MCLEOD - Who Lives Here? - The Caretakers 38 PENNY DE JONG - Sarah’s Ghosts 23 MARY KNAGGS - Impressions - Wanaroo Botanic Gardens - All By Myself 12 HEMANT KOGEKAR - Two Seasons 31 COLIN CAMPBELL - Lemon Scented Interior - Red Room 14 CHINESE WHISPERS #58 - By Maureen Maxwell 46 FEATURED ARTIST AL BAMASS - Downtown Lane - Gertie - Garden Friends - Becky Beak - Eggbert - Cheeky Chirp - Sweet Henry - The Illusion - Terrace - Rocky Bay Holiday - City Tavern - Squares - Powder City - Beauty Blue - Meet Your Artist 55472
PAM HENDERSON - The Long Walk - Looking Out 78 SUE MASTERSON - Red Rose6564SHARYN WALKER - Dance I And II 76 GEORGE KONCZ - Three Musos - Pick Your Weapon 58 INTERVIEWDAVESIMPSON By Maureen Maxwell 7366- TRACEY PERRIN - Alone I Stand - Alone I Groom 82 MICHELLE BAKER - Female Superb Fairy Wren 74 CHRISTINA BRUNTON - Stripes - Time For Tea 59 ANN WEHNER - Abandoned Habitat - Octavia 81 SHARON RANKMORE - Visualise 61 MICK ROONEY - Old And New - Photo Model 60 MONTHLY ARTISTIC PHOTO CHALLENGE9083ARTISTS ADVERTISEMENTSBUSINESS9591LOUISE SMITH - Willow - Iliad 63 GITAMA DAY - He Always Got The Rotten Job - Divvying Out The Quota 62 JULIE POWELL - Smoke And Mirrors 75 DEAN HOHN - Peregrine Falcon Art III - On A Foggy Morn 7978SONIA PUSEY - The Duck 77 MARGARET KALMS - After The Party 80 FRONT COVER by AL BAMASS - Eye See It All Colin Campbell - Blue GumHemant Kogekar - It’s Time 3
Welcome to the first Spring edition of Artists Down Under. Yes its Springtime ... finally. We all survived the winter months and are certainly enjoying the new found Sun’s Rays ... well, we will when they come .. lol. But the sun is always shining on our artists and this month we bring you another jam packed edition to enjoy. We have our regular Photoshop tutorial from Andrew Haysom. This month Andrew tells us all about Infinite Unify. I am honoured to present our Featured Artist this month, who is one of our long time members, Al BaMass. Al BaMass has such an amazing and quirky style that I just love and I know you will too. We have another image to share with you from the Chinese Whispers series. The girls certainly have a lot of fun putting these together to share with you each month.
Backgrounds: Foxy Squirrell Laitha’s Designs - Jai Johnson - WhiteStudioLane Copyright 2017 © Artists in this publication are responsible for any rights appertaining to their work.
Al BaMass - Lone Tree
Pam Henderson 4
Maureen Maxwell has outdone herself this month with an interview from a Getty Photographer and one of our own members, “Dave Simpson”. Dave is an extremely talented Photographer and he shares his journey with you all. Lastly, our Artists Monthly Photographic Challenge. This month I tried to raise the bar high and to put our Artists to the ultimate test - to turn a piece of fruit into a character and create an image. Wow, they didn’t disappoint, they have certainly been very creative and created some awesome Wellimages.that’s it from me, until next month, stay safe & care for each other.
Rosa Perry - Without Picnics, Life Would Be Unbearable
DOWN UNDERartists Australia and New Zealand
RAEJULIA(NEWZEALAND) https://juliaraephotography.com/ 6 THE KEY
HOLDING ON 7 http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/meaghan-pryor/https://www.theartinspires.com/ PRYORMEAGHAN(AUSTRALIA)
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/mark-passfield/ PASSFIELDMARK(AUSTRALIA) SPUTNICK 8
WHELANGERARD(AUSTRALIA) 9 NZ WILD ANCIENTFLOWERSTREE
10 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/dennis-rickard/ RICkARDDENNIS(AUSTRALIA)
11 DINGO
ALL BY MYSELF IMPRESSIONS - WANNEROO BOTANIC GARDENS https://www.facebook.com/MaryK-Photographic-Art-145293185640662/http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/mary-knaggs/ KNAGGSMARY(AUSTRALIA) 12
13 BEWARE THE QUEEN’S WRATH https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/kim-ricci/ RICCIKIM(AUSTRALIA)
14 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/colin-campbell/https://colincampbell.myportfolio.com CAMPBELLCOLIN(AUSTRALIA) LEMON REDINTERIORSCENTEDROOM
Achievementsartistsmonthlydownunder
Prue Wright - Cheeky
The Artists Down Under Public Facebook page has been set up to allow the artists in the group to showcase their work and to enable them to share promotional information about themselves, e.g. exhbitions, awards etc... You can find the Artists Down Under Public Facebook page at this address; Penny De Jong - Sarah’s Garden
Woods 16
artists down under facebook page
Phillipa Frederiksen - Land, Sea And Sky Elenor Gill - Abandoned In The
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArtistsDownUnder/
So, if you are an artist in the group, don’t forget to regularly share your work and information here, and to let your friends and family know about the page if they are interested in viewing the latest art and news from the group.
If you are a reader of the magazine who does not have access to the page, please click the link above and request to join. When you request to join you will be asked to answer three simple questions that will allow us to determine if you are an eligible artist who may wish to join the group and therefore be able to post on the page, or a member of the public who can view, comment and like the work on the page. It’s a great place to see some great art from this vibrant group every day!
Teddi, from Virginia, USA, is well known for her fantastic sets of digital designer backgrounds, masks and all kinds of wonderful elements ready for designers to add to or build a wondrous creation.
Maureen Maxwell - The Fairy Garden Party
Our very good Awake friends Teddi Rutschman of Foxey Squirrel and Diane Stafford from WhiteLaneStudio continue to give gifts as a reward for members of the Artists Down Under group who contribute to the ADU Facebook page by regularly posting their artworks and supporting other members with their comments.
Rosa Perry -Humpty Dumpty Sat On The Fence
17
Diane has created another special kit just for Artists Down Under for the month of SEPTEMBER. Two artists will receive a Diane kit each.
Diane Stafford can be found https://whitelanestudio.co.uk/biolinksat Three ADU members receive a special gift
The SEPTEMBER lucky winners are Teddi Rutschman (Foxy Squirrel) Gift Voucher of $10.00 - Karen Waalwyk Diane Stafford (WhiteLaneStudio) Texture & Overlay Kit - Sandra Dann - Margaret Kalms
Julie Powell - The Seer Colin Killick - Zasari
Diane Stafford from Chester, UK, designs Photoshop textures and overlays for photo artists and photographers to use in their digital artworks.
Teddi Rutshman can be found at Teddihttp://www.oscraps.com/shop/Foxeysquirrelhttp://www.foxeysquirrel.com/hasgivena$10.00voucherforoneverylucky member to spend in her on-line shop.
Carolyn Jenson - Light As Air Maureen Maxwell - Golden City Louise Smith - Portrait Collage Rosa Perry - Menagerie Ilona Abou-Zolof - Don’t Come Too Close Sonia Pusey - Go Your Own Way Rosa Perry - Stand Tall Gitama Day - Secrets Congratulations to the following artists for having their images chosen to appear in the International magazine “Living The Photo Artistic Life”. Helen McLeod - A Bird In The Hand - The Tree Nymph The Hares Sonia Pusey - Go Your Own Way Judi Lapsley Miller - Resolute Beauty (Tui) - Graceful Splendor (Tui) Gitama Day - Secrets Julia Rae - The Key Kim Ricci - One Step At A Time Carolyn Jenson - Light As Air Christina Brunton - Effie At Castle - Elegant Louise Smith - Portrait Collage Sue Masterson - Creepy Circus Maureen Maxwell - Golden City Julie Powell - Rose Gold Fantasy (Series 1) - Rose Gold Fantasy (Series 2) Rosa Perry - Menagerie - Stand Tall Ilona Abou-Zolof - Underwater Surprise - Don’t Come Too Close https://issuu.com/thephotoartisticlife/docs/issue90-final?fr=sY2ZiZTI1ODEw LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE 18
Sue Masterson - Creepy Circus Julie Powell - Rose Gold Fantasy (Series 1) Julie Powell - Rose Gold Fantasy (Series 2) Ilona Abou-Zolof - Underwater Surprise LIVING THE PHOTO ARTISTIC LIFE Christina Brunton - ElegantChristina Brunton - Effie At Castle Judi Lapsley Miller - Resolute Beauty (Tui) Kim Ricci - One Step At A Time Judi Lapsley Miller - Graceful Splendor (Tui) Julia Rae - The Key 19
“Summer 555” https://lightspacetime.art/summer-555-art-exhibition-summer-2022/ light space and time Congratulations to the following artists for their special achievements in the “Summer 555” Light Space & Time competition. Honourable Mention Ilona Abou-Zolof - “Camouflaged” Special Merit Ilona Abou-ZolofIlona“Colourful”Abou-Zolof - Camouflaged Ilona Abou-Zolof - Colourful 20
Kim Ricci - Out Of The Shadows Andrew Haysom - The Chair Penny De Jong - The Scoundrel Karen Waalwyk - Blowing Smoke Congratulations goes to Honorable Mention Kim Ricci, Andrew Haysom and Penny De Jong Noticed Karen Waalwyk August 2022 Theme “Film Noir!” https://shiftart.com/shift-art-photoshop-challenge-august-2022/ shift art 21
Kalms - Endometriosis Headache 22
Margaret
Congratulations goes to Margaret Kalms For being a Finalist with her image “Endometriosis Headache”, in the Grey Cube Gallery “Faces” Online Art Exhibition, which was held in August https://greycubegallery.com/current-show/index.html2022. grey cube gallery Botanicals online artshow
http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/penny-de-jong/ jongdepenny(AUSTRALIA) SARAH’S GHOSTS 23
24 KILLICKCOLIN(AUSTRALIA) https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/colin-killick/www.behance.net/colinkillick
TILIBERIN 25
26 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/ilona-abou-zolof/https://www.zolof.net/ ABOU-ZOLOFILONA(AUSTRALIA) BEHIND THE DANCINGMASK
GILLELENOR(NEWZEALAND) END OF SUMMER 27
RESOLUTE BEAUTY (tui) 28 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/judi-lapsley-miller/https://www.artbyjlm.com/ MILLERLAPSLEYJUDI(NEWZEALAND)
SOMEWHERE IN SPACE WHERE TO NOW? 29 http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/maureen-maxwell/ MAXWELLMAUREEN(AUSTRALIA)
WRIGHTPRUE(AUSTRALIA) ALONE WITH HIS THOUGHTS 30
31 TWO SEASONS https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/hemant-kogekar/https://photos.kogekar.com/ KOGEKARHEMANT(AUSTRALIA)
SOME PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION By Andrew Haysom DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand INFINITE UNIFY artists 32
Figure 1)
credibly
[Fig 1 – Main Unify panel dialog]
correcting uneven skin tones
portrait
gradient maps in Photoshop
The use of for correction is a well-known technique. are often used specifically for in retouching and correcting (see makes this often-difficult process ineasy.
colour
colour Thecasts.Infinite Unify Photoshop plugin panel
They
[Figure
SOME INSPIRATION
PHOTOSHOP
There are two primary ways to use the panel, the first is just to click the Create button. In this case the Unify panel will automatically detect skin tones in your image, select 15 data points and create a gradient from them, and then create a Gradient Map layer with a mask revealing the detected skin tone areas.
Alternatively, you can select the area you wish to be used to create the gradient using any of the selection tools and then click the Create button. The Unify panel will sample the 15 data points from within the selected area and create a gradient from them, the Gradient Map layer will then be created with either a white or black mask depending on whether you have the Create Black Mask option selected (see Figure 1).
If there are any sampled colours that are “out of place” you can click them in the 15-stop Gradient line of the main dialog to remove them, the panel with replace them with something “more appropriate” smoothing the colour transitions. You can also [Alt/Option]-click multiple colour squares, then click one of them to replace multiple “outliers” if you wish, this method of changing multiple squares can be used if you find that one outlier colour won’t change when you click on Youit. can also select Hue, Luminosity or Saturation on the main dialog screen and then use the slider to adjust the gradient. The Gradient Editor gives you even more control (see Figure 2). 2 – Unify Gradient Editor]
(CONT....)
33
So, in the example where you have some areas of a portrait displaying a colour cast, you could use the Lasso tool to select some areas of skin that are unaffected by the colour cast, making sure you select a good range of highlights, shadows and midtones. Then once the Gradient Map layer is created just apply the gradient map to the colour cast affected areas using the mask. With the Gradient Map layer selected you can adjust the gradient using a number of methods.
SOME INSPIRATION
34 To enter the Gradient Editor, right-click one of the colour squares in the 15-stop gradient line. Alternatively you can have the Auto Open Gradient Editor option selected if you want to always enter the Gradient Editor when a gradient is created.
The Infinite Unify algorithm filters out certain colours (very saturated, very unsaturated, very bright or very dark colours) when creating gradients. The Dark Medium Bright filters line on the main screen (see Figure 1) allows you to change which colours are filtered out, so if you have a very dark or very bright image you might like to try and click Dark or Bright before creating the gradient.
The Unify panel uses the Colour Range Photoshop feature to select skin tones. You can check the Auto Open Color Selection icon on the main screen to allow you to modify the selection before the gradient is created. This can be helpful for images where there might be other elements of the image very close to the skin tones.
Right-clicking the Create button on the main dialog takes you to the Preferences dialog (see Figure 3). This can be used to change the default colour, name and opacity of the Gradient Map layers created by the panel.
(CONT....)
[Figure 3 – Preferences dialog]
The first two lines in the Gradient Editor dialog show the variances from the average Hue and Saturation between the 15 colour stops, they make it easy to spot if any of the 15 colour stops are “off”. As on the main screen, you can click one of the 15 colour stop squares to remove it and have it automatically replaced, and [Alt/Option]-click to replace multiple colours.
PHOTOSHOP
As you make adjustments here, or on the main screen, the Gradient Map is adjusted live and you can see the effect on your image.
You can have multiple Unify layers in a single document, to create a new Unify layer hold down the [Alt/ Option] key when you click the Create button. Then, make sure you select the Unify layer in the layer stack that you want to update/adjust, the Unify panel will then change to show the selected Gradient Map and will update it as required.
The Hue and Luminosity sliders at the bottom act the same as the slider on the main screen. For Saturation you have a little more control with separate saturation sliders for Highlights, Shadows and Midtones.
There’s also a Smoothness slider that allows you to control the smoothness of the colour transitions along the gradient.
The Preview eye is very useful for checking the created gradient. Clicking the Preview eye temporarily raises the opacity of the Gradient Map layer to 100%, temporarily removes any Blend If settings and temporarily disables the layer mask. This allows you to get a clear look at the effect of the Gradient Map. Clicking the Preview eye again returns the opacity and Blend If settings to their previous values and re-enables the layer mask.
SOME INSPIRATION
[Figure
Checking the Apply Blend If icon on the main screen will cause Unify to apply a Blend If to the Gradient Map layer to protect shadows and/or highlights.
Clicking the Layer Blend Mode icon on the main screen will change the blend mode of the Gradient Map layer, cycling between Color, Hue and Saturation with each click.
PHOTOSHOP
35
Clicking the cog icon enters the Settings dialog (see Figure 4) where you can see if you have the latest version (and update if you haven’t), and access Infinite Cloud. The Infinite Cloud is a feature that works on a number of the tools from this team. It allows you to save the way you have set up the panel (eg the icons you have checked across the bottom and the Preference settings) and then retrieve these from the cloud should you have to re-install the panel or use it on another computer. 4 – Settings dialog and Infinite Cloud dialog]
(CONT....)
https://infinite-tools.com/infinite-unify-plugin-uxp/panel.[Figure5–UserLayersandCommunity dialogs]
The User Layers tab is used to save (and retrieve) gradients you create and the Community tab allows you to use gradients saved by other users.
You can check out the tool in more detail at the Infinite Tools website where they have a lot more information and videos showing how to use the
36
SOME
Gradient Maps you save for yourself on the User Layers tab are automatically saved in the cloud, so they will appear in multiple instances of the panel if you have it installed on more than one computer.
Please do not think that this tool won’t be useful if you’re not really into portraits or retouching, because personally I am not really, but am enjoying using the tool on all sorts of images from evening out the colour in backgrounds of some of my bird photos, to colourising some of my digital patterns I create.
If you access the Community dialog after you have created your own Unify layer then the Community gradients you are presented with are automatically matched to the luminosity of the one you created. You can then scroll through clicking the shared gradient maps to see their effect on your image. This is a wonderfully put together little panel. Ease of use and elegant design seem to be the hallmark of the panels produced by this team (I have and love a few others of their tools as well).
I love this little panel; it comes highly recommended.
PHOTOSHOP INSPIRATION (CONT....)
The latest version of the Unify panel is coded in UXP (the modern way to code for Adobe Creative Cloud) and is available for both Windows and Mac (the Mac version is fully compatible with the new M1/M2 chipset).
SOUNDS OF SILENCE I SOUNDS OF SILENCE II https://www.sandradimagery.com/ DANNSANDRA(AUSTRALIA) 37
WHO LIVES HERE? THE CARETAKERS MCLEODHELEN(NEWZEALAND) https://www.2-galleries.com/ 38
WINDOWTERRACEREFLECTIONSHOUSES 39 JACOBSENINGRID(AUSTRALIA) https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/ingrid-jakobsen/
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/rosa-perry/https://rosa-perry.myportfolio.com/artwork PERRYROSA(AUSTRALIA) CELOSIA 40
PAULLYNETTE(NEWZEALAND) SANTORINI SILHOUETTE 41
42 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/andrew-haysom/https://andrewhaysom.myportfolio.com/ HAYSOMANDREW(AUSTRALIA)
ISOLATION 43
44 MOON RESCUE SIMSKEVIN(NEWZEALAND) www.lightaviator.myportfolio.comwww.kevinsims.co.nz
45 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/bev-terawskyj/ TERAWSKYJBEV(AUSTRALIA) ANGELIC VORTEX
STAGE 1 Australia and New Zealand DIGITAL ARTISTS GROUP A COLLABORATIVE GROUP OF PHOTO ARTISTS Pam Henderson CHINESE WHISPERS #58 “COFFEE AND MUSIC TIME” Maureen Maxwell 46 DOWN artistsUNDER STAGE 2 Pam gave me an interesting challenge with this one. So, much so, I needed a few cups of coffee whilst creating. It also took me some time after a few false starts. Hence the name!’ ENJOY! Maureen
AL BAMASS DOWNTOWN LANE 47
48 GERTIE GARDEN FRIENDS BECKY BEAK
49 EGGBERT CHEEKY CHIRP SWEET HENRY
50
THETERRACEILLUSION
51 CITY TAVERN ROCKY BAY HOLIDAY
52 SQUARES POWDER CITY
53 BEAUTY BLUE
54 Meet your artist AlWesternBaMassPerthAustralia Website: https://www.facebook.com/ALBaMass.Up2Uhttps://www.instagram.com/albamass/
6. Do you think since starting in photo artistry it has changed you and if so, how ? Photo artistry really helped me to focus on the goals, standards and value of my work. Thanks to Sebastian Michaels.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and where you live?
I remember very early on, that modern anything and everything interested me. So computers and all things gadgets, was definitely going to be part of my life. With that said, I began to learn more and more about the design, graphics and art world. Photography, was already a passion by then - but, I needed to learn how to manipulate and be more creative with my photosfrom the day, I joined Sebastian and his fine team at AWAKE and KAIZEN… I completely had the tools the instructions and the inspiration I needed to pursue my passionate interest, in the beautiful craft of Photo Artistry. I’ve never looked back.
Rich vibrant colours, the deep blues and greens of our coastlines … the red tones and dusty sands of our beautiful Australian landscape. For me, it’s just a pixel perfect passion, find enjoyment in Photo Artisty.
“Seriously Simple” fun and no rules - meaning my canvas can be or say anything - as a lot of you may already know, ALBaMass is a respectful, individual, original creative. I hope that personality is reflected in my work. And in the spirit that it’s given.
8. Where do you see (or hope to see) your art taking you in the future ? What are your next steps ? I often ask myself this question - I’m always learning new techniques and with that I’m always doing better today than I did yesterday. So I’ll just enjoy the journey. 55
2. How did you become interested/get started in Photo Artistry?
7. Is there anyone that you draw inspiration from ? Great artists past and present… I’m always in awe of “the beauty of creativity”.
5. What does your art mean to you?
Greetings to you, from Perth Western Australia - I was born in this beautiful place, and I’ve also travelled and lived all over Australia. I worked for many years as a TAFE lecturer in the Great Southern areas of rural Western Australia teaching Textiles and Design. Recently, I’ve been involved with Appen AI Technology researching and collecting data.
3. What inspires you or gives you inspiration to create your art?
4. Do you have a certain approach to creating your art?
Everyday, everywhere I go - my gorgeous family are my source of inspiration - I always have, or find, good reason to take photos of family and friends, or just create wonderful precious memories. Especially, Patterns, Posters and Photobooks. All good fun. Playing with and learning new techniques, constantly in Adobe and Procreate. I adore the Apple iPad Pro and Pencil and the unbelievable amount of apps to work with.
56 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/karen-waalwyk/https://www.flickr.com/photos/88165766@N05 WAALWYKKAREN(AUSTRALIA)
57 A MAMMOTH WALK
PICK YOUR WEAPON THREE MUSOS 58 http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/george-koncz/ KONCZGEORGE(AUSTRALIA)
59 https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/christina-brunton/ BRUNTONCHRISTINA(AUSTRALIA)TIMESTRIPESFORTEA
60 http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/mick-rooney/ ROONEYMICK(AUSTRALIA) OLD AND NEW PHOTO MODEL
VISUALISE https://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/sharon-rankmore/ RANKMORESHARON(AUSTRALIA) 61
HE ALWAYS GOT THE ROTTEN JOBS DIVVYING OUT THE QUOTA https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/gitama-day/ DAYGITAMA(AUSTRALIA) 62
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/louise-smith/https://www.facebook.com/lksmithphotography/ SMITHLOUISE(AUSTRALIA)WILLOWILIAD 63
MASTERSONSUE(AUSTRALIA) https://www.facebook.com/Sue-Masterton-Digital-Artist-1662189864018110/http://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/sue-masterson/ 64
RED ROSE 65
INTERVIEW By Maureen Maxwell DOWN UNDER Australia and New Zealand WITH DAVE SIMPSON (A GETTY PHOTOGRAPHER) artists 66 Thank you for participating in our interview series, Dave. We’ve all heard of Getty Images, the American Visual Media company, and their suppliers, over the years. I’m sure our ADU members, and other readers, will be interested in hearing about your experiences as a Getty Photographer. You’ve been a regular contributor to our monthly magazine, and you’ve been actively involved in our monthly Zoom Meetings, as well as our Facebook pages. We understand you are unable to post any of your Getty Images in our ADU environment as they are licensed through the company. However, we have seen some of your non-Getty music images. These are impressive, in what must be a challenging lighting environment. A Place To Bury Strangers
THAT’S VERY DIFFERENT FROM MUSIC PHOTOGRAPHY!
I’ve always been a bit of an obsessive music fan. When I went to concerts, I’d always have my little camera with me so I would grab a few shots from the audience. Then one day I noticed there were official photographers at a festival I was at, and I wondered if I could ever do that. So, I learnt as much as I could online about how to photo live shows with a ‘proper camera’ and then out of the blue some friends asked if I could shoot their band playing in a little pub. I remember being completely nervous, but all my research paid off and I got a handful of shots I was pleased with. I was hooked!
My photography journey started in 2002 with me walking the streets of London for an hour each day as part of my work commute. I was fascinated by the things I saw and was more interested in the mundane (bollards, manhole covers, abandoned gloves etc.) than the usual tourist attractions. Photography was my way of showing how even the most insignificant things can be interesting and I posted 5-10 pictures on a blog every day – well before the advent of Instagram, Facebook, and camera phones etc. My website got archived by the British Library at one point as part of their social archive.
If you want to be approved to shoot a band you generally need to be photographing for a magazine, so I offered my services to a local magazine shooting for free (there’s little money in the music photography business). Within a few weeks I went from shooting tiny local bands in dark rooms (which I still love doing), to being face-to-face with Robbie Williams in the photo pit and standing in front of thousands of people shooting AC/DC at a stadium gig.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
67 INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON (CONT....) ACDC ACDC
Right from the beginning I carried a compact camera on my hip, even at work, and captured any thing and everything that caught my eye. In London I focussed on objects abandoned by people (I called them ‘human remains’), but when I moved to New Zealand in 2009, I started taking pictures of people in the street too.
Editorial images have to be a true representation of what was happening at the time. There can be no editing of images other than some basic cropping and slight levels adjustments. Definitely no composites, filters, content aware fill or overlays! It’s forced me to up my game and get all my settings right in camera, and I mostly shoot jpegs now. Shooting with mirrorless cameras definitely helps. I also try to get a mix of shots which tell a story. That means wide shots showing context (e.g. the venue, the audience etc.) through to full body shots, crops, and close ups of the main performers, even items of clothing and jewellery - I recently had a picture used in a GQ magazine illustrating a story on watches worn by famous people! Ultimately though I’m always trying to get those special moments of human connection, just like I try to do for street photography images.
WHAT DOES GETTY LOOK FOR IN A PHOTO, AND WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR SELLING AN IMAGE?
68 WHAT PROCESS DID YOU FOLLOW TO BECOME A GETTY ACCREDITED PHOTOGRAPHER?
My work improved with practice, and I built up a portfolio of photos of big-name artists. That proved useful when I had a chance meeting with someone from Getty Images and they happened to be looking for a live entertainment photographer in New Zealand. At that point my imposter syndrome kicked in and I felt way out of my depth. In addition to the extra pressure to get great shots, there was so much to learn on the admin side about how to file images, how to write captions, working to tight deadlines etc. It was a super steep learning curve and 5 years on I think I’m just about getting the hang of it!
Delaney Davidson
(CONT....)
INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON
Cherie Currie
If it’s a small venue, then sometimes I’ll use my 16mm instead of the longer lens. Other times we’re restricted to shooting from the back of the arena and it’s all about even longer lenses on monopods, and we’re balanced on step stools to see over the crowd.
The Golden Geese
WHAT ARE THE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING THE CAMERA GEAR FOR THIS WORK?
Photographing live shows can often be a bit of a nightmare. You’re working in a dark, cramped environment, standing in the hallowed space between energic performers and an excitable crowd. You need equipment which allows you to use fast shutter speeds in low light – that generally means a camera with good high iso performance and expensive lenses with large maximum apertures. I shoot with two camera bodies and usually have my 24-70 f/2.8 lens on one and my 70-200 f/2.8 on the other. But it depends on the size of the venue.
If I’m shooting for Getty Images, they want pictures straight away so they can be used by newspapers etc, so as soon as we’ve finished shooting then it’s straight out with the laptop, make my selections, write the captions and upload. I can have my first images up in a few minutes if I need to. The adrenalin really kicks in at that point!
Brian
INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON (CONT....)
The Jonestown Massacre
And just because it’s big, it doesn’t mean the light will be any better. One band I photographed recently allowed us to photo two songs from the side of the auditorium, and for one of those songs they were in complete darkness! We have to work with what we’re given, and sometimes that’s not much!
If I’m shooting for a local online magazine then it’s a lot more relaxed - they usually need the images by first thing the next morning. They are also more flexible on editing which can be fun.
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IS THERE A TIME REQUIREMENT FOR GETTING YOUR IMAGES TO GETTY FOR PUBLICATION?
YOU SEEM TO FOCUS ON SHOOTING MODERN MUSIC BANDS IN LIVE CONCERTS.
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I always look at images from the other photographers who were at the same show to see what shots they got. It’s a great way to learn from each other when you see what you’ve missed and how others saw the show!
INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON (CONT....)
CREDITED PHOTOGRAPHER ASSIGNED TO A PARTICULAR MUSIC EVENT?
Peter
Self Portrait
In theory it’s competitive as there can be a limit on the number of photographers allowed at a show – often driven by the space in the photo pit or how disruptive it will be for the audience. And it can be disappointing if you are declined a show, or you can feel guilty if you were accepted but others weren’t. I’ve been rejected for some really big shows as they want to support local websites or don’t want agency photographers.
Murphy
We’re a tight knit community of photographers in New Zealand and have each other’s backs in the photo pit. I co-founded an annual group exhibition of New Zealand music photography called FromThePit to showcase the best of local music photography, to celebrate our craft and to bring our photographers together. We had our fourth annual exhibition this year and it gets bigger each year. www.fromthepit.co.nz
DO YOU FIND IT IS A COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT, OR ARE YOU THE ONLY GETTY AC
Peter
An unexpected bonus was deciding to use the down time to learn Photoshop which led me to discover Photo Artistry and its amazing community of genius artists – especially the down under ones!
YOU’VE ALSO BECOME INTERESTED IN PHOTO ARTISTRY. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THIS DIFFERENT APPROACH TO ART MEANS TO YOU? AND IS THERE A PARTICULAR GENRE THAT APPEALS?
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I’m in awe of what others on their own photo artistry journey are creating, and I am hungry to learn more. And I love our monthly ADU meet ups where I’m always inspired by seeing how others create their magic, seemingly from nothing! It’s such a supportive community of artists and I instantly felt welcomed. As for my own work, I’m gradually building a bunch of artistry images based on a couple of photo shoots I did with a comedian friend – all being well we’ll have enough to do an exhibition at some point.
Photo artistry flips this for me, giving me a different way of thinking. I can take photos with the intention of them being part of a wider piece of art limited only by my creativity (which feels very limited most of the time!). It’s a great discipline to develop in parallel to my editorial and commercial work.
THE LOCKDOWNS, AND OTHER CONSTRAINTS DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, MUST HAVE CAUSED ISSUES FOR YOU. HOW DID YOU COPE WITH THIS SITUATION?
Elvis In The
INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON (CONT....)
Street photography and music photography is primarily editorial – it’s about capturing what you are given. There are things you can do to improve the likelihood of getting a great shot, but ultimately you are taking pictures of things you can’t control. And because it’s editorial, it has to be real life.
It was a mixed blessing. My archives continued to sell to newspapers during the lockdown as shows had stopped around the world, and I had the most recent pictures of people like Elton WeJohn.were also lucky in New Zealand to remain Covid free for much of 2020 and 2021 and had periods where we had amazing concerts put on by kiwi artists who would normally have been touring overseas.
INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON (CONT....) PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF, YOUR BACKGROUND AND YOUR OTHER INTERESTS? Photography is the most visible aspect of my life, but I also have a day job as a regulatory policy specialist in the legal team of a big telco. I have a very understanding wife and two grown up Inchildren.addition to covering shows for Getty Images and local magazines like UnderTheRadar I also teach street photography (www.aucklandstreets.com), I shoot shows directly for artists and promoters and cover corporate events. Life is full! CLOSING COMMENTS Thank you, Dave, for a most interesting interview. Your life is indeed interesting and full. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of your Photo Artistry Journey. You may like to look through Dave’s websites www.aucklandstreets.comwww.davesimpson.org Dave’s images on Getty Images: https://www.gettyimages.co.nz/search/photographer?family=editorial&photographer=dave%20simpson JoelJoel Duel 72
INTERVIEW - DAVE SIMPSON (CONT....) Kraus Surf Friends Arthur Ahbez The Lowest Fidelity Shidad 73
FEMALE SUPERB FAIRY WREN https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/michelle-baker/ BAKERMICHELLE(AUSTRALIA) 74
75 SMOKE AND MIRRORS https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/julie-powell/https://www.juliepowellphoto.com/ POWELLJULIE(AUSTRALIA)
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THE DUCK 77 PUSEYSONIA(AUSTRALIA) https://www.instagram.com/soniapusey/?hl=en
http://www.artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-4/pam-henderson/https://www.facebook.com/snapnshootdesigns/ HENDERSONPAM(AUSTRALIA) LOOKING OUT THE LONG WALK 78
https:// www.facebook.com/Dean-Hohn-Photo-Artistry-247723325687722/https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-2/dean-hohn/ HOHNDEAN(australia)PEREGRINE FALCON ART III ON A FOGGY MORN 79
KALMSMARGARET(AUSTRALIA) https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/margaret-kalms/ AFTER THE PARTY 80
https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artists-1/ann-wehner/ WEHNERANN(AUSTRALIA)ABANDONEDOCTAVIAHABITAT 81
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Penny De Jong - Pineapple’s Fashion Parade 84
85 Pam Henderson - Fruity Village Bev Terawskyj - The Pear SIsters
Ilona Abou-Zolof - Running Peach 86
87 Rosa Perry - Banana Moon
Andrew Haysom - Badass Banana 88
Julie Powell - Bad Seed 89
90 Christina Brunton - Milk Jump
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Unfortunately endometriosis is relatively common; an estimated 1 in 10 women living with endometriosis, being over 175,000,000 women worldwide! And an estimated 500,000 women in Australia! Their experiences are heart-breaking. Regular illness and debilitating pain result in missed education and poor career opportunities leaving them women vulnerable to poverty.
Followpeople/EndoWomanArt/shop‘LifewithEndometriosis’: https://www.facebook.com/ LifeWithEndometriosis
Bunch Of Butterflies On Grevillea Sweatshirt Butterflies False Colour Grey Stripes byArtMargaret Kalms Helping Women Endometriosiswith 50% of profit donated to endometriosis research Bunch Of Butterflies On Grevillea Pencil Case 95
When I first heard about endometriosis I felt a deep compassion and need to do what I could to help. Women with endometriosis suffer debilitating pain, disruptive symptoms and often endure multiple operations simply to function normally. Few people are patient when listening to descriptions of pain, symptoms or illness. This can have the effect of silencing people who are Myill.
See Margaret Kalms photoart, ‘Life with Endometriosis’: http://www.endowomanart.com
Women with endometriosis need real medical progress to reduce their suffering. I passionately desire to raise money for endometriosis research so that faster diagnoses are made and more effective treatments are found. To raise money for endometriosis research, I host events and sell products on Redbubble. Recently I gave $3,000 to Canberra Endometriosis Centre!
compassion inspires my photoart which I show in presentations to raise awareness. I joined Awake to teach me advanced Photoshop skills, specifically to expand my photoartistic skills to create imaginative and dramatic images. My photoart opens dialogue enabling freer expression of hidden feelings, experiences too private to mention in ordinary conversation. I create photoart inspired by the concerns of women with endometriosis. Several women have said that the process of imaging their suffering has helped them to face their pain and illness. There is immense strength in being heard. I want my photoart to become visual screams!! 26 women with endometriosis have told me about their experiences. They spoke to me about their concerns and collaborated during the photo session. We explored meanings of body, ideas of self and impacts of illness together, agreeing which ideas we would explore photographically. My photos are often carefully arranged, but that doesn’t mean they are fake. They represent the personal truth and experiences of 26 women with endometriosis. These women are remembering and acting out their OWN experiences. They choose their own stance and facial expression. Women with endometriosis are the only people who truly know what endometriosis FEELS like.
Share ‘EndoWomanArt’ with your friends on social media to raise awareness and money for women’s Wehealth!all need clothes & household goods. Buy yourself a treat or buy a special gift for your friends. Make your shopping count!
Remember 50% of profit goes to endometriosis https://www.redbubble.com/research!
Margaret Kalms
WEBSITE: http://artistsdownunder.com.au/ http://tinyurl.com/artisitsdownunderpublic
