VOLUME I ISSUE 1
JUNE 2021
P H OT O G R A P H E R S F O R A B E T T E R W O R L D
EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 06 12 24 34 36 41 47 Editor’s welcome
Excio Journal Volume I Issue 1
Photography for women
Cover Photo
Interview with Ian Moone
Kelvin Wright Publisher
Our stories
Excio Photo Community Website
Architectural portraits
www.excio.io
Interview with Eli Matityahu
To purchase images visit
Out & about
www.excioshop.io
Fungi hunting
Enquiries
Post-COVID tourist photography
hello@excio.io
Interview with Philippe Laruelle
Photographing a nationwide event
Sharing skills
Production Paper used for printing this journal comes from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations and is FSC (R) certified. Print copies are available for purchase at www.excio.io/journal
All rights reserved © 2021 Reproduction of any material appearing in this journal in any form is forbidden without prior consent of the publisher. Disclaimer: Opinions of contributing authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the journal.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
Our journal is dedicated to talented photographers to showcase and celebrate their passion, creativity and commitment. The world needs more people like you.
Excio Photo Community
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EDITOR’S WELCOME What you see in front of you is a truly historical event - the first issue of our Excio Journal! With the Excio community now being in its third year, it is great to see more and more new members coming onboard, learning about responsible photography, and joining our mission. Our goal has always been to celebrate and showcase creative talent, to give photographers a platform where they can be seen and heard, and for that reason (after building on our collaborations with media) we thought we can only truly achieve this by creating our own journal. This journal is not for advertising, nor for commercial benefit, but to give more exposure to our members as it will be shared globally. This issue marks the beginning of a true movement. More and more people will learn about “Photographers for a better world” and steadily we will be able to make a shift in how photography is appreciated. In this first issue, you will see more than 40 of our members featured. Making the selection was difficult - we love all our members equally so how to decide who is featured? With our vision of “Photographers for a better world” we decided we would start the journal by sharing the work and journeys of our most active members who already create a positive impact in the world through their work. It can be an interesting or thought-provoking story that they shared with their photos, the sharing of knowledge, or doing good in the community. On the following pages you will see Ian’s story and how he is helping victims of domestic violence gain back confidence. You will see that our member Philippe has donated his work for sale on our ExcioShop as has Parmeet Sahni, you will also be inspired by the outstanding work and fascinating discoveries by other members and if you think you need more inspiration or want to continue exploring the world through photographs - you can always download the free Excio app on your phone and delve into more than 25,000 photographs. If your work hasn’t been featured in this issue, don’t worry - you have every opportunity to see yourself in the next issue (we plan for the journal to be published quarterly). Just share more of your work on Excio, participate in discussions, and if you need any help or support any time please let us know. If you haven’t joined Excio yet please look into it at www.excio.io, as well as a members-only blog we also have a members-only Facebook group where you can interact - we look forward to seeing you there.
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Ana Lyubich Co-founder, CEO of Excio
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PHOTOGRAPHY WITH IMPACT For every 100 views of our online “Photography With Impact” gallery we make $1 donation to a charity. The best photos Excio members submit to our regular challenges appear on the gallery page to create a real positive impact in the community. Visit here: www.excio.io/gallery
From the top left to the bottom right: Lex Rudd, Ann Kilpatrick, Amol Nakve, Alicia Joubert, Noelle Bennett, Karen McClay, Sara Petercokeleyson, Paul Belli, Darcey Philp, Cynthia Stoks
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WOMEN Helping ladies rebuild confidence after being victims of domestic abuse. Interview with Ian Moone.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 IAN, TELL US WHAT YOUR ICU PROJECT IS ABOUT... My project helps ladies that have had the courage to leave domestic abuse see the inner beauty that they, in some cases, have not seen in decades. This project means more to me than just selling images and is the most meaningful. Doing street work, I’ve seen the effects of domestic abuse daily, and seeing grandmothers, mothers, aunties, and sisters along with children suffer made me step up as a male and be a positive influence in a sometimes extremely negative and dark space. I see the negative impact on the lives of our females and the world for so many is piped by male dominance. Even in the photographic industry, I see so many amazing female photographers but mostly males are put forward. Sadly our industry like so many is quite slow to find the true value of the feminine. I feel it is not only important but vital to our community that our ladies not only remain strong and resilient but are constantly reminded of their inner beauty and femininity. Their nurturing and softer side is sometimes hidden away, especially if coming from a violent or abusive background. We need
to embrace whatever role they are taking and accept and support without judgment and persecutions as they are our life-givers”. I also do a program for youth at risk running workshops teaching them how to use cameras and seek the beauty in life rather than just focusing on the darkness.
SPEAKING ABOUT DARKENSS, YOU HAVE A RATHER DARK APPROACH TO YOUR VARIOUS BLACK AND WHITES. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE THOUGHT PROCESS? My thoughts, reflected in my works are represented in pictorial form. I see a beautiful landscape or seascape and know it has 2 sides like all of nature. One is light and loving and the other darker and mysterious. I know both sides in this life from the streets to invitations around the world to shoot and do workshops. I like to give the viewer a space to think deeper, to breathe and be still and ponder my message and thoughts in images. It is deep, it is real, it is emotive.
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WHAT IS PHOTOGRAPHY FOR YOU?
starting image. I might wait months or even years at times to get the foundation of my shot just right. I still have images that have been in wait for many years in many countries, but I am a patient man. Once I see a subject and it stirs me, I have already started the process. I let the image take me on a journey long after it was captured.
My view of the world has changed my view of photography. Photography in my life is like blood in my veins, it’s a vital part of my expression and gives my thoughts a voice. Photography is a way for me to communicate in an infinitely deeper way and is received by the viewer in different levels of understanding. A lot of my works start with seeing something in a moment and seeing past that moment. I will notice the details that stand out to me and the contrast from one thing to another and if it evokes me I will wait until the elements align to take the
I spend a great deal of time in thought when working on every image and bringing it into my style if it lets me. Mostly, my images have a destination and sometimes the images take me to another place and both are perfect in process and procedure fitting my way and style perfectly. My images are birthed without force and come into life naturally.
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WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER TALENTED PHOTOGRAPHERS OUT THERE?
images that make me feel incompetent’s as a photographer - It’s how I grow.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
Don’t ever think you are not worthy of your success or that you don’t have a shot at making it. It’s taken me a long time to get here and I also know I have a long way to go but that’s what makes this journey so inspiring to be part of. Never listen to others regarding your works, it’s just that - your work! The right people will gravitate to your style and “get it” the rest are just on a different journey so enjoy each moment, even the tough ones. Personally, I like
My time now is basically spent helping as many people as I can see the beauty in the world and not focus on the darkness but the lighter side just like in my works - and remembering that life gives hope sometimes in a dark place. I am currently working on my 1st coffee table book, a long but exciting process but remain very focused on my workshops.
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WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE?
PHOTOGRAPHS BY IAN MOONE
Follow ICU project on Facebook:
excio.gallery/ian
www.facebook.com/invokemephotography “I would like to dedicate this interview to Cyril Win, a dear friend who passed away so quickly and was laid to rest on the release of the May edition of NZPhotographer magazine which featured my new community program. RIP mate.” Ian Moone
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OUR STORIES Photographs and stories form our members as exhibited on our Excio apps. Selected from more than 25,000 photographs currently on display.
This is a picture with a lot of significance for me. I took it in 2008 when I had just had serious surgery. About 10 days after going under the knife I had my first outing - I drove from Dunedin to Middlemarch, and on the way back it started to snow. Not just a few spots but a bona fide blizzard. I stopped and staggered across a ditch to take this shot which spoke to me of my condition, but also of resilience and hope.
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PHOTO BY KELVIN WRIGHT excio.gallery/kelvin
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Black-billed Gull or Tarāpuka are endemic to New Zealand and are the most threatened gull on earth. I photographed this one through the perimeter fence before Christmas in the flooded foundations of a partially demolished building in Christchurch. The Tarāpuka are nesting there for a second breeding season after the owners of the site failed to put nets up in time to stop them. The gulls are protected under the Wildlife Act and cannot be disturbed. The birds usually breed on braided rivers of the South Island.
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PHOTO BY VANDY POLLARD excio.gallery/vandy
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PHOTO BY MARIA LIGAYA excio.gallery/maria
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A yak finds his way back to camp at the Fourth Lake, above Gokyo (4,750m), Khumbu, Nepal. Yaks and Sherpa hold a symbiotic relationship. Each animal is known by name and can be ‘part of the family’ for more than two decades. Sherpa respect and highly value their yaks, who provide a source of transport and milk while alive, then meat and materials (skin, fur, bone) after death.
PHOTO BY PETER LAURENSON excio.gallery/ occasionalclimber
Meet Liliana of Brealito from Calchaqui Valley, Argentina. People living in Calchaqui Valley are called The Calchaquí or Kalchakí, they were a tribe of South American Indians of the Diaguita group, now extinct, who formerly occupied northern Argentina. Stone and other remains prove them to have reached a high degree of civilization. Under the leadership of Juan Calchaquí they offered a vigorous resistance to the first Spanish colonists coming from Chile. Their language, known as Cacán, became extinct in the mid-17th century or beginning of the 18th century. They were farmers, herders, and great potters. They worshipped the sun, the moon, thunder and the earth, and spoke their own language called Cacán. With the third expansion of the Inca territory in 1480, they were incorporated into the Inca Empire (Tawantinsuyu), from which they received a strong cultural influence. They were described as warlike, and their stone fortifications located at strategic places in their territory attest to this. They became effective cavalrymen who carried the attack to Spanish towns. They farmed terraced fields, sometimes built irrigation canals, and also kept herds of llama.
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Whangamata on the Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand. The place name comes from the Maori language - ‘whanga’ meaning bay and ‘mata’ meaning hard stone which is in reference to the black obsidian which at times, washes up on the beach. A major holiday destination, the town swells from just 3,500 permanent residents to over 25,000 during the summer months, many of whom are from Auckland and have holiday homes in the town. Three main islands sit in the eastern bay, Hauturu (Clark Island) being the closest and largest. Whenuakura can be visited but not landed upon with kayakers often entering the ‘blowhole’ by making their way through a passage in the rock face. This photograph was as a result of the Australian bush fires in 2000. Smoke travelled across the Tasman and created amazing coloured hues in the early morning skyline.
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PHOTO BY MIKE MOORE excio.gallery/moore
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Photography is my way to feel, observe and communicate the world I have inside through showing the one I see outside of me…. and vice versa. It is my meditation tool, my never-ending exploration, my philosophy. It is the way I have to enter in a deeper empathy with a reality that needs to be understood beyond its physical appearance, its first visible layer. Traveling throughout the poorest and most remote regions of the continent of Africa I gained the priceless wealth of expressing myself through the deep and soul touching art of photography. If I had a message to communicate, it would be: love and practice this art, but do it with grace and discipline, and always try to combine form and content in your images, aligning, as Henri Cartier Bresson said, your eye, your heart and your mind.
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PHOTO BY GIULIO D’ERCOLE excio.gallery/giulio
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Favolaschia colocera. You will see these orange fungi by the bucketload in most of our native bush. They grow prolifically on rotten wood. However, they are introduced and in some mycologists minds, they are taking over habitat of some of our native species. I’m not too sure on the actual facts but they do make a very pretty picture when there is bokeh like this in the background.
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PHOTO BY PAULA VIGUS excio.gallery/paula
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Out in the hills of Waimarama, Mātai Whetu (a star compass) sits. I was amazed when I got this picture on my DJI Mavic Mini (Senu). It was one of my first times using my drone for the purpose of making a video to be displayed at my whaunau whakapapa hui, as it is where my ancestral background starts. I love my home with all my heart and after visiting Hakikino, a place I hadn’t been in years, it definitely made me realise how lucky I was to grow up in such a magical place. The celestial stars had an essential role in the Polynesian expansion across the Pacific Ocean. The waka tapu (sacred canoe), Tākitimu transported this ancient knowledge as well as the old Gods to this land. When the waka arrived at Waimārama, four tohunga (priests), elected to leave the waka and establish a school. They chose the site for their new school with great deliberation. High on the Maraetotara plateau, the school at Paewhenua gave them a clear and unobstructed view of the heavens. The school also served as a Mātai Whetu - a place to view the stars, an observatory. The actual site of the archaic school is now lost to mystery, history and legend but stone-faced guardians remain. They dot the ridgeline, their flinty gaze fixed upon the fortress beneath - Hakikino, home of the mother of the tribe, Hinengatiira. A carved totem celebrates her genealogy a whakapapa that binds us to those early priests.
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PHOTO BY LACHLAN MORRIS excio.gallery/lachlan
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PHOTO BY PETER KURDULIJA excio.gallery/kurdulija
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Named by the Dalai Lama as “a spiritual centre of the universe” when he visited here, Castle Hill is a high country station farming sheep and cattle, located within the Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area, the magnificent limestone boulders here make for a dramatic backdrop to this farm scene.
PHOTO BY KIM FREE excio.gallery/kim
At times when menacing skies deliver a statement formatted in dark clouds, make sure to read the small drizzle carefully. Occasionally known to be a person who doesn’t want his determination undermined by a rational argument, I ignored it. A mosaic of randomly placed stones left a peculiar grinding sound with each step I made, unbalancing me on a couple of occasions. The uneven surface, unfamiliar environment and cold southerly wind stretched the beach to its maximum size. Here they were, lying hopeless before me. The leviathans from green oceans of alpine rainforests have lost their biological contest. The faith may not be swift, but certainly inevitable for the beached whales of a different kind waiting for their demise on an unforgiving southern coast. I put my hand on them. Their rugged bodies felt eerily warm. No matter how big or strong one may be the law of existence refuses to give up on you. You can postpone it, but not avoid it. Life will be repossessed, the body recycled and today’s eternity will become history.
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Cryogenesis. 2 of a series of 6 fine art images in the Cryogenesis series. Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, humans have dealt great damage to the environment, and consequently the species that exist within it. In fact we are experiencing the 6th mass extinction event (the 5th saw the end of the dinosaurs), with a huge increase in the number of species extinct and endangered as a direct result of our modern lifestyles. Efforts have been underway for many years to conserve and preserve those species of flora and fauna most endangered. One such effort is the ‘Frozen Ark’, which aims to preserve the DNA and living cells of endangered species, to retain the genetic knowledge for the future. This series explores the question of using cryopreservation as a method of preserving and then giving life, in a world that is increasingly hostile to its inhabitants. It speaks of irony, futility, and desperation, but also hope.
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PHOTO BY PETI MORGAN excio.gallery/peti
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Almost 1/3rd of New Zealanders experience some form of mental distress at some point in their lives. It doesn’t have to be obvious - often it is calm, hidden, silent, and different for everyone. I wanted to create a set of images which show my interpretation of how struggling with mental health can feel. Credits: Natalie Thomas (model), Laura Macdonald & Viviane Castro (assistants).
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PHOTO BY CHARLOTTE JOHNSON excio.gallery/cejphoto
EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 SPECIAL FEATURE
ARCHITECTURAL PORTRAITS Interview with Eli Matityahu
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 Eli is an Excio member based in Israel. He is currently working on publishing his first fine art photography book - “Architectural Portraits”. The selected works focus on international, iconic, contemporary, and groundbreaking architecture. The photographs were taken in the course of Eli’s travels around the world. For him, the impressive structures he photographed recall human portraits with unique characteristics.
ELI, TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, HOW DID YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY JOURNEY START AND WHY ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHY? I started photography seriously about 20 years ago, taking courses and auditioning at the Jerusalem Municipal Gallery, submitting my works. To my surprise, they were accepted, and I won the Solo Exhibition for the first time in my life. This made me go much deeper into the field of photography. I bought a DSLR camera, signed up for photography courses, and started a long and exciting journey that hasn’t stopped to this
day having participated in workshops around the world; such as Joel Tjintjelaar, Michael Levine, and others. Today, I continue my studies with Master Eldad Rafaeli. At the same time, I continue studying Photoshop (for over 20 years now) and give lectures at photography clubs about my path in photography. My lecture is called “From As-Is Shooting to Fine Art Photography” which shows the journey I’ve been on from the moment I started photographing until my works became a piece of art. My photography journey has been long and varied but the genres that captured me were architecture, abstract, and urban landscape. My fascination with the architecture genre is down to the work of the international architect Zaha Hadid. When I saw the impressive buildings with their unusual outline, my camera pursued these lines obsessively, and so I began to photograph architecture in general and Zaha Hadid’s works in particular. I started planning my trips to places where she had designed interesting structures, such as Azerbaijan, New York, Spain, Italy, Germany, Korea, China, Austria, Russia and other places.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 My attention to Hadid’s structures attracted me to the work of other famous and talented architects, such as Frank Gerry, who designed, among other things, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao; Sir Norman Foster who designed the Reichstag Dome in Berlin; Santiago Calatrava, who designed many buildings and bridges, the most famous of which is the science city Valencia, Spain, and the 9/11 Memorial Center in New York City; architect Tadao Ando of Japan; architect Daniel Libeskind, who designed the Tower of Liberty at Ground Zero in New York, the Jewish Museum in Berlin and more; and architect Ron Arad, who designed the museum in Holon, Israel, and more.
THE BUILDINGS IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS ALL HAVE A DISTINCT CHARACTER - HOW DO YOU ACHIEVE THIS WITH YOUR CAMERA? A photography day is a holiday for me. I prepare my gear the night before, taking at least 2 cameras, a tripod, and a variety of lenses, memory cards, spare batteries, various filters, and anything
else I might need. I usually choose the location of the photographs so that it has an impressive architectural structure with special lines that lead the eye to unclear parts of the picture. Sometimes I shoot a picture of architectural elements from the inside of the structure and thereby make the work abstract, of course with the help of the postprocessing, which we will discuss later. Before I get to work, I like to walk around the structure and learn all sides and views, even though sometimes it’s impossible to see what kind of lighting there is on each side. I also make sure to choose a shooting position where the background will be as neutral as possible, and there will be no distracting objects. Although I can clear the background when I do post-processing, I try to get the image originally clean. Only then do I start to take pictures, choosing special angles, with a special light fall, and as much as possible - neutral backgrounds. For buildings with special architectural lines, I use a wide-angle lens 14-24 f2.8, because it gives more interesting results. If there is no special reason to shoot in colour mode, I turn the camera to b&w mode, which allows me to see the results better.
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If the background of the architectural element is full of distracting details, I try to hide them, and if necessary, I extract the element from the file and create a new background, with light falling on the object, or clouds that I shot on long exposure. You have to know and remember that I am not always true to the original, as I am not a documentary photographer but an artistic photographer, I do not show the reality as is, but as I envision it in my mind.
subtleties, light and shadow, and emotions. Black and white photography gives new quality to familiar things. Obvious details are rediscovered, and we see them in a different way. Black and white emphasize patterns of shadows created across different surfaces - namely texture, richness of feeling and illusion of touch. Black and white photography gives a sense of classic, temporary, unique and dramatic. The lack of colour gives a feeling of emotion, romance and nostalgia, of course depending on the lighting, the message and the style of photography.
WHY BLACK & WHITE? Black and white shows the emotion and truth of the image. It can emphasize the composition and the fall of light, without colour “stealing” attention because it draws the eye. Vast amounts of colour and detail stimulate our senses and lives, therefore black and white photography is an island of quiet, contemplation, and simplicity in the sea of colour chaos. Black and white photography has a kind of honesty and authenticity to it. Through photography, you find real beauty in things after removing the colour masks. Less is more - although black and white photography is apparently limited to black, white, and grey, there is an endless wealth of
HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH GETTING ACCESS TO SOME OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN BUILDINGS? Absolutely yes. There are buildings to which access is restricted only for occupants of the building, or there is security in such buildings because they have offices, and they do not want strangers to hang out there. You should do a preliminary study and find out this point, so as not to bother going to a place where it is not possible to photograph it. In this matter, one also needs a little luck, and sometimes it is possible to succeed even in limited places.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING ARCHITECTURE PHOTOGRAPHER? • Try to shoot in Black and White mode, shoot Raw and use long exposure. • Try to construct a dramatic and emotional story. All your work must go to post-processing, letting your imagination and creativity lead you. • Remember that a piece of art is the meeting place between the artist and the viewer. The more your work is fascinating, the more the meeting will be successful.
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ONLINE? excio.gallery/eli www.facebook.com/elimati www.instagram.com/elimati10/
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PHOTO BY ELI MATITYAHU excio.gallery/eli
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PHOTO BY ELI MATITYAHU excio.gallery/eli
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OUT & ABOUT FUNGI HUNTING Whether you have ever tried macro photography or not, finding fungi around your area is a lot of fun even if you only have a phone camera in your pocket. Our Excio members were lucky to be led by fungi expert Ismene Gemsjaeger on our recent photo walk. Look at all the amazing fungi Ismene and others managed to find!
(TOP AND ABOVE) PHOTO BY KAREN MILLER excio.gallery/miller
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 TOP TIPS FOR FINDING FUNGI 1. Pick the right season - you have the best chance of finding fungi during autumn/ winter. 2. Head somewhere dark and damp. Go on a walk in a park nearby and explore areas where not much sunlight can get through. Search under piles of leaves and look around the base of trees. Remeber fungi are ususally tiny - can be as small as 5mm in height! 3. Use a tripod and light or if you don’t have one - at least something you can use to stablise your camera/phone. Because fungi hide in dark areas you will need a lot of light and as little movement as possible to take crisp photos! 4. Shoot down low. Think through what you wil lbe wearing and take something protective you can put on the ground - you will most like need to kneel or sit or even lie down.
(TOP AND ABOVE) PHOTO BY EMMA HISSEY excio.gallery/hisseye
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PHOTO BY ISMENE GEMSJAEGER
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Roridomyces austrororidus
PHOTO BY ISMENE GEMSJAEGER
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PHOTO BY EMMA HISSEY excio.gallery/hisseye
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POST-COVID TOURIST PHOTOGRAPHY Interview with Philippe Laruelle
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 Based in Belgium, Phillippe is better known by the nickname “LaPhi”. He is one of Excio’s heroes having donated his work for sale on the ExcioShop with all his proceeds going to charity. Pre-Covid, herds of tourists invaded places such as New Zealand’s Wanaka Tree and the Louvre and Eiffel Tower in Paris to the extent that locals were prevented from enjoying those spots and in some cases, the environment almost destroyed too - all because visitors were on the hunt for a famous photo spot that they’d seen on Instagram and wanted to pose in front of themselves for bragging rights. At Excio, we strongly encourage responsible
photography and, where possible, advise people not to share the exact location, at least not publicly. But what will happen once the borders are reopened around the world again? Will popular tourist spots suffer even more from the influx of tourists? Despite many of us seeking ‘roads less travelled’, we all have a dream of visiting at least one popular spot in our lifetime. That’s why we got in contact with our member Philippe to discuss how to photograph a popular tourist spot, why it is important to know the local culture and history, and how to look for new perspectives.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 PHILIPPE, TELL US ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY PASSION...
contrary, make use of height with stairs, bridges, and balconies and windows of high-rise buildings all providing interesting benchmarks.
I was born in a small village on the French side of Belgium. I devoted 20 years of my life to my first great passion: judo. Today I am retired, having worked on the Belgian railways as a train attendant since 2015. I can tell you that photography saved my life. Following very painful events, I had a very big burn-out that lasted almost 3 years. As judo was no longer possible for me, I decided to buy a camera without knowing why. Over time, thanks to this camera, I began to slowly regain pleasure in life. Today, I am cured and photography has become my new great passion. I don’t want to do photography to make money. I just want to please myself and the people around me - My greatest reward is to see the peope around me happy. I immortalize my daily life with my camera. For me, photography is a means of expression. Through my images, I try to make my emotions shine through. I am interested in all the techniques, but I particularly appreciate black and white, architectural photography, landscape photography, long exposure and street art, Paris being my favourite city to photograph in the world, in particular the business district of La Défense which I talk about here.
HOW CAN PEOPLE LEARN TO SEE PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS? First, look at your surroundings. Very often we do not see what we have in front of us and we miss the point. Having knowledge of the place where you want to practice urban photography is a plus as you can experiment more easily, feel comfortable there, and you can learn to develop your creativity. If you really don’t have anything down or around you, the best way is to choose a place that really speaks to you and go there regularly so as to feel at home. Then, I propose to remain on constant alert, to raise your head as much as possible in order to discover new perspectives. And finally, listen to your feelings, feel free to take a picture of what you think is relevant and interesting. Above all, have fun! Anything that makes it possible to orient the gaze as far as possible into the image is a source of perspective. Be at the foot of a tower or, on the
PHOTOGRAPHING POPULAR TOURIST SPOTS OFTEN MEANS HAVING PEOPLE IN THE FRAME. WHAT ARE THE RULES IN FRANCE ABOUT IT AND HOW CAN YOU AVOID HAVING CROWDS IN YOUR SHOTS? When too many people could disturb the scene I want to capture, I have my solutions: I inquire beforehand about the most opportune moments or I risk finding as few people as possible by visiting at unpopular hours. The second solution (the one I use very often for architecture) is simply to make the exposure 120 sec. The simple technique of long exposure can greatly reduce the impact that passers-by could have on your scene. Beware when you want to sell photographs that you took in France that have people in them. According to the law, a photo of a person can be used without their consent, provided that the photo is used for editorial purposes only and can illustrate information (e.g. a newspaper article) about the event in which the person participated. On the other hand, the courts consider that it is not legitimate to use a close-up photograph of a person taken in a public place, without their consent, if that image violates the person’s privacy. In practice, this means having to systematically obtain the consent of the person appearing in the image, since he could always claim that he agreed at the time of the shooting, but not for the use that was then made of it. This image right applies in France, regardless of where the photo was taken. These rules of the right to the image apply, regardless of the nationality of the person photographed (or filmed), and regardless of the country where the photo (or video) was made: as soon as the photo (or video) is used on French territory (in a journal, a book, on a website etc), the person whose right was not respected, is entitled to initiate proceedings in the French courts.
Remain on constant alert, to raise your head as much as possible in order to discover new perspectives. And finally, listen to your feelings, feel free to take a picture of what you think is relevant and interesting. Above all, have fun!
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021 Being a local expert, Philippe is sharing with us a couple of places around La Defense to see many photographic opportunities. The diversity of what
TELL US ABOUT THE ROOF OF THE GREAT ARCH...
Development, and Land Development, as well as private offices.
Its construction was decided by François Mitterrand in 1983. Among the 424 architectural projects submitted to the competition organized in 1982, it was one of the then-unknown architects, Johan Otto Von Spreckelsen, whose design was selected. The Great Arch symbolizes the opening of a window on the future and the rest of the world. This hollowed-out cube is so large it could easily contain Notre Dame de Paris! It is now home to the Ministry of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable
you can see in one district shows the importance of discovering the area from new perspectives, angles, and views.
The highest terrace in Greater Paris, it’s 110 meters high. There are 4 panoramic elevators to access the 35th floor towards the lookout with the first visual shock at the exit of the elevator. At the top of La Grande Arche de La Défense, in addition to the ascent experience, there is an artistic experience that awaits you. 1,200m2 are dedicated to photojournalism. Exhibitions are organized under the direction of Jean-François Leroy, co-founder of the Visa for the Image Festival.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE OPEN-AIR MUSEUM? In the heart of the Paris-La Défense district you can discover the Paris La Défense Art Collection. From frescoes and sculptures to paintings and even stained-glass windows, as you walk you can discover iconic elegant works of Calder and admire the characters of Joan Miro. Located near the shopping centre, this monumental sculpture expresses all the nonconformism of the Spanish artist. You will also find yourself under Caesar’s Thumb! 18 tons of cast iron contemplate you, a feat as much technical as artistic.
To follow Philippe’s work check out his Excio profile and see his work for sale on ExcioShop. You can also ask him any questions you have directly in our members-only Facebook group. Philippe’s gallery - excio.gallery/laphi Philippe’s work for sale - excioshop.io
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
PHOTOGRAPHING A NATIONWIDE EVENT The memories you create live in others — they become part of who they are. As a photographer you can change others by preserving and sharing historical moments. Last year we all commemorated WWI in isolation, at home. This year our members tried their skills in photojournalism by visiting local ANZAC events and capturing the day in history.
ANZAC Day speeches, Napier
PHOTO BY LEANNE SILVER excio.gallery/leanne
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
ANZAC Day 2021. This black and white rendition of an earlier photo makes me step back and look at it from two perspectives. I see the museum building about to shroud the fallen with its wings, but I also see the fallen marching towards their final resting place. It is dramatic, the darkness and the light, the portrayal of sorrow but a feeling of peace. There is no place for war, no one wins in the end.
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PHOTO BY MIKE MOORE excio.gallery/moore
EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
ANZAC Day 2021
PHOTO BY KAREN MILLER excio.gallery/miller
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
ANZAC Day 2021
PHOTO BY JOHN WOODS excio.gallery/john
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
ANZAC Day 2021
PHOTO BY ANN KILPATRICK excio.gallery/ann
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
PHOTO BY KAREN MILLER
ANZAC Day 2021
excio.gallery/miller
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
SHARING SKILLS Many Excio members provide photography services to share their skills. We’re excited to profile the range of talent available from our members in our Journal. If you have a photography service which you would like to share, as a member you can submit your 100 word profile to hello@excio.io.
www.facebook.com/ ptphotoweekends
www.capturenewzealand.co.nz
www.cejphoto.com
excio.gallery/rina
excio.gallery/phillip
excio.gallery/cejphoto
If you are wanting to learn to use your camera in a more social, convivial situation than a traditional workshop… «Picture This Photography Weekends» is for you.
Back in 2005 when I founded Capture New Zealand there were no other New Zealand professional landscape photographers offering scheduled multi-regional, multiday programs and so I was privileged to be the proverbial crash-test dummy. Pioneering is as exciting as it is daunting, but with the generous backing of the New Zealand landscape I continued developing experiences which delighted and astonished well-travelled international photographers. Fast-forward to today and I am just as passionate about inspiring photographers to break out of their comfort zone and finetune their craft as I was sixteen years ago. With international adventures still off the table, why not take the opportunity to join me and capture the majestic landscapes of your own backyard - you will be surprised at what is out there!
Charlotte is a photography educator, full-time professional photographer and Photoshop expert. She practices #photographyforgood by helping photographers gain skills and confidence through workshops, tuition and mentoring. Her day job requires her to capture a wide range of subjects and styles from covering corporate events all the way through to scientific macro. Her passion is portraiture and she has developed her own fine-art style, working with local models, makeup artists and stylists. Charlotte is a columnist for NZ Photographer Magazine, an Ambassador for Lensbaby, was part of the 2021 Tonic Workshops for NZIPP, and is a mentor on behalf of PSNZ.
If you are more experienced and just want to shoot in the company of other photographers…. «Picture This Photography Weekends» is for you. If you want to go to some of NZ’s most epic locations… «Picture This Photography Weekends» is for you. If you want 2 tutors who are industry savvy and actually work within it on a full time basis, whose work speaks for itself and you don’t mind a bit of banter…. «Picture This Photography Weekends» is for you. Join Neil Protheroe and Rina Sjardin-Thompson for a weekend away.
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EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
www.facebook.com/ SoulfulMemoriesByParmeetSahni
www.macrophy.net/workshops
www.ethnoflora.com
excio.gallery/parmeet
excio.gallery/grant
excio.gallery/ethnoflora
Soulful Memories’ specialty is portraiture, the ability to capture special moments and personality of the client through photographs. The importance of the comfort a client needs is very crucial to me and the joy I feel creating Soulful Memories is priceless.
My name is Grant Beedie and I’m a self-taught photographer based in Christchurch. I specialise in Macro/Close-Up Photography of Flowers and I run regular workshops throughout New Zealand for individuals, groups, schools, and camera clubs.
A photographer and a botanical horticulturist with 20 years experience, Dave Davies established Ethno Flora to deliver the highest standards in all your garden.
Photography helps me slow down, pay attention and observe life more closely, to see the beauty and story in simple things others pass by or take for granted. The innocent smile of a lovely baby, intertwined hands of a pair, the togetherness of families – each tell a story.
My aim is to help people gain confidence and upskill in this style of photography.
The “magic box,” as some have called my camera, continues to lead me to people and lands I have only dreamed about.
I am a firm believer of ‘leaving nature as you found it’ so I always incorporate this into my workshops by ensuring my clients take care not to damage any subject or move things from their original locations. Travelling light with minimal gear is also a big part of my philosophy and I love teaching my clients how to achieve amazing shots without needing lots of gear!
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Dave not only knows everything about plants and photography, but he can also help you design the landscape of your dreams. His team has a wealth of knowledge and experience in garden maintenance, fruit tree pruning, and plant health is guaranteed to meet you and your garden’s needs. EthnoFlora is a trustworthy and professional company that respects you and your privacy.
EXCIO JOURNAL | ISSUE 1 | JUNE 2021
erimagingphotography.co.nz
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ world-dominationid1457647332
www.artbyjlm.com
excio.gallery/vicky
excio.gallery/monica
excio.gallery/artbyjlm
ER Imaging Photography specialises in unique agriculture and NZ Scene photography for both personal and commercial use.
My idea started as photography and a legacy to my little brother and grew to include a podcast and a coaching business, all targeted at helping creatives believe in themselves and their craft, to get out into the world and make a difference.
The natural world and wildlife conservation provides endless joy and despair, beauty and devastation. I strive to advocate for our endangered species and ecosystems and through my art I explore wildlife advocacy through creative interpretation.
I believe that our work as creatives is literally life changing. The power we have to freeze moments in time, and show someone their beauty is phenomenal and needs to reach people. I am committed to helping people overcome their fears of not being enough and thrive.
Photographs are just the first step in my creative process. Using Photoshop, I digitally blend and mask layers of photographs, graphics, scanned ephemera and textures, lighting and colour adjustments, and digital brushstrokes to form images that are more like a painting. Some images may involve only a couple of layers, whereas others may involved hundreds.
The ability to escape into New Zealand’s world-renowned natural landscapes and culture with my camera is something I have always appreciated. Privileged in having access to such a diverse range of scenery and people, my passion for capturing and sharing these stunning experiences with others has only developed. Being a selftaught freelance photographer, I have acquired my skills through practice over a period of over twelve years, passion being my core motivator. My photography reflects my personal interpretation of life, how I view both the world we live in and the people who live in it.
Check out my podcast to be empowered!
My art is held in private collections in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States.
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ABOUT US Started in New Zealand in 2017, Excio has grown into a global community of passionate photographers who are committed to making a positive change in the world. We help our members display, publish, showcase, share and sell their work based on our “Fair trade photography” concept. At Excio we strongly advocate for responsible photography principles. We are official partners of the Nature First organisation. We are committed to supporting important local initiatives and charities, including Trees That Count. We make donations for every new full Excio membership and with the sale of every photograph made through our Excio shop.
CONTACT US
BACK COVER
hello@excio.io www.excio.io www.excioshop.io @excionz
Fairlie Atkinson excio.gallery/fairlie
THANK YOU