The Best of
VIVID Training
Interview: GRAPHIC ART Behind the Scenes: VIVID OPEN DAY
January 2011
V
Note from G:
So that’s the first issue of 2011 done, in the bag , finished, and the new year in full swing for us. It looks to be a good year, the economy is slowly fighting its way out of the hole in Kimberly, and life is slowly returning to the industry. This year should be a big one for us here in Vividland. With your help, we want to make a bit of a splash. So please keep your eyes open for events, competitions and the like, we are planning g quite a few. We have already had our first open day, and it was a hit. Record numbers showed up, 52 people in all, and fun was had this I promise you. More of those will follow soon. This month we feature an old friend Graphics Art. Well done to him, see what he has to say, and have a look at his work. Its always good to see and read what other do. For now that’s it from me, have a good month, and shoot, upload, and come say “HI” in chat. Have a great year
G www.vividtraining.ning.com
V
Natalie Field
My editorial entered into the Elle New Talent Photographer Search 2010. Based on SteamPunk, it is fantasy spliced with Victorian Styling.
V
Jason Paul Hermann
V
Cindy Niemandt Photographer: Omega Photography
V
Madeleine Botha Caption: Eon Photographer: Adele Moolman
V
Darrell Fraser Caption: Kamara
V
Willem Workel
Photographer: Webster Photography
V
Rieghard J.v Rensburg
V
ZAWildcard
Caption: Focus RS Photographer: Garreth Barclay
V
Marcell Meyer Caption: Rally Star
V
ZA Wildcard Caption: In the Face Photographer: Lee van Huyssteen
V
Vicqui Leo Caption: Nurse Nurse Photographer: Dragonfly
V F 8 I m a g e s G e r r i t d u
Left & Right Model: Yolande
T o i t
V
Kyle Goulden
Model: Yolandy Winner of “Best Pic of the DAY”
V
Vivid Open Day Training
Have you ever been around a whole bunch of friends and been invited to a party - only to feel incredibly nervous ? Nervous and not sure what to expect ? Scared that you wont fit in or wont feel a part of the event, and ending up just sitting there like the outsider at the cool kids party. This was the furthest thing from that, that I’ve ever encountered. After arriving and signing up, I just saw photographers and models aplenty, shooting and posing to their hearts content. It was like school bus filled with kids raiding a candy store. It was amazing. One moment you'd be watching one photographer taking shots of a girl against the white wall, then you see another photographer grab the next model and head off outdoors to find a spot to shoot. While taking in the magic that this was, I met some of the people I chat to on a daily basis and I felt like I was catching up with old friends. It was just a happy good vibe ! So, after a little social with some of the members at the pub across the road, it was time to grab a model and get shooting. After shooting a Race-Car Driver + Adoring fan, a Hobo, and a Retro styled lady, I was checking the shots out and was really getting out of the creative block slump I had been in for the past 3 months. Just shooting without goals or expectations and getting blown away with the models and ideas, was really great.
Open Day continues . . .
A regular sarcastic joke from some photographers keeps reminding me that I'm in the company of good friends with a common passion. Along with the worlds best practical joke, on everyone's friend, Mr Allan Riedel. In the form of a feinting model, Yolande. Queue a pause and slight panic from Allan and then a very quiet murmur from Yolande going, "Did you get the shot ? " And I think he did indeed. It also allowed for the more technical photographers to talk about equipment and other adaptors. Like a Ray-Flash Adaptor I bought not too long ago. I was shooting indoors against the grey to show the effect it had on the model and also proved to be a learning experience for me and some other photographers. Gerrit , the organizer of the event and also the owner of F8 Studios , walks on out and shows off his portable lighting pack to me and lets me shoot with it. Amazing piece of tech that, and after a few shots, I feel like I've learnt a lot more in terms of what I need to get for my photography business in the future. The day was proving to be more than just fun and games, but also really educational and also a good way to test equipment out, with your peers and see what's worth a buy or not. Cue my last shoot of the day with the feinting prankster, Yolande and donning a dress she had made herself, we set off to the train tracks to take some photos worthy of her dress. And its no lie when I say I got the best shot of my career. And I didn't even plan anything !!
But the day ended with a long chat with all the togs still standing and a happy contentment of the photos taken.. With 3 images that I am beyond proud of, I left for my one hour drive home, and it let me take in and enjoy the wonderful day of shooting, learning and plain ol talking kak. It was awesome. “Kyle Goulden�
V
Jaenette Louise Jacobs Photographer: Nico Conradie
V F 8 I m a g e s G e r r i t d u T o i t
Model: Kaylin
V
F8Images Gerrit du Toit Model: Kaylin
V
Jim Johnson
V
Mike O'Brien
Bottom Caption: Ele Herd
Right Caption: Mom and Baby
V
Marcell Meyer Caption: White Lion Stare
V
Niki van Velden Caption: Mummy is Sleeping
V
MarlieJ
V
MarlieJ Caption: Nude Male
V
Marina Jooste
Caption: Freckles * Photographer: Nolan Lister
V
Nolan Lister
V
Nolan Lister
V
J.C. * JohanCombrink Caption: Gold Rush Model: Talitha
V
Michelle Moss
Photographer: J.C * Johan Combrink
V
Mike O'Brien Caption: Storm Sunset
V
Marcell Meyer Caption: Bird Gardens
V
Mike O'Brien Caption: Yellow Lilly
V
Kyle Goulden
Caption: Gengis - Allo
Our Interview this month is with
GRAPHIC ART
V INTERVIEW: Q: What attracted you to photography? A: It was purely accidental that I ended up with a camera in my hand, and then having a model ending up in front of the camera. However, since that day, I’ll have to say that it is the freedom and creativity that photography offers, that attracted me.
Q: Did you study or are you self-taught? A: Completely self-taught, but I have to add that I’ve had a number of extremely patient ladies / models that were willing to be the subjects while I tried to capture some of the images and ideas that I had spinning in my mind. From there, a burst of creativity turned into a real passion and I love every moment of it.
Q: Favourite subject and why? A: I love my fine art work. The human factor. Using the lights and shadows to “paint” that abstract feeling with the model and surroundings. Where it is not just a photo, but art. Where it is not about the dress, the shoes, the background, but about the person. Capturing that moment that will make the viewer stop and think about the photo. That expression or stare in the eyes that’ll make you wonder what they were thinking about when this was photo was taken. Where you can take nearly any person and create an art piece with them.
Q: Do you have a favourite picture and why? A: No, not really a specific photo that I can pinpoint. From every shoot I’ve done, I’ve managed to find that one photo that I enjoy the most. So, I’ll have to say that I have close to 300 favourite photos. Q: Describe your style? A: Simplicity and a bit different. I try not to over-complicate my photos and now and then I tend to bend the “rules” a bit… sometimes… breaking them.
Q: What, in your opinion, does it take to be a great photographer? A: Difficult question!!! Due to the immense diversity and range of photography, from structural, wildlife, wedding, sport, nature, fashion, etc, and each of those genres has their own list of “great photographers�. In my specific genre, I have to say that you need to remain humble at all times. You can be on top of the world today and at the bottom tomorrow. Always treat the models with the utmost of respect at all times.
Q: What motivates you to be a great photographer? A: Three things: The response from the ladies… models and non-models. To see their face light up just makes everything worthwhile. That elusive “perfect photo”. With every shoot I still learn something, or try and do it better than the previous shoot. Perfecting the technique. People do not pay $100 million for a beautiful painting. People pay a $100 million for it because Pablo Picasso painted it. I just hope that one day my children or grand children will be able to take one of my pieces and sell it for a good amount, and live in luxury!
Q: What equipment do you use? A: A Canon 30D Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring photographers? A: Get to know your equipment 200% and push it beyond its capabilities before you even think about buying “better” and more expensive equipment. If you want to focus on a specific genre. Make it your own. Develop your style so that it can be recognised as YOUR work. Q: Last words? A: These questions really made me think about the stuff that I normally take for granted and that just comes normally to me. “…only in their dreams people can truly be free. Thus it was, and thus it will always be.” For your dreams to come true, you have to wake up first!! Contact info: expose@sjscorp.co.za
V
Jaenette Louise Jacobs Photographer: Derrick van Niekerk
V
Anton Van Straaten
Model: Michelle Moss * MUA: Maralize van Wyk
V
Errol Mann Model: Vicqui
V
Lionel Lodewick
V
Kenny Beukes
V
Elna Fourie
V
Marc Dryden-Schofield Model: Sheri-Allan
V
Henk Scheepers Caption: White Hot
V
F8Images Gerrit du Toit Model: Kaylin
V
Jason Paul Hermann
V
Jim Johnson
“
V
Marc Dryden-Schofield Model: Marlize
“Taken at a wedding in Polokwane over the weekend”
V
Errol Mann Model: Mel
V
Dean Wayne Geldenhuys Photographer: Allan Riedel
V
Ruth McKinlay Caption: COD
“Full Noice Concert - Townsville 2010”
V
Talita van Greuning Photographer: Karel Buitendag
Left Models: Laurette & Jonathan
V J I m J o h n s o n
V
Willem Workel
Photographer: Webster Photography
V
Jason Paul Hermann
V
Natalie Field
V
Marthinus Odendaal Model: Kaylin
V
Dragonfly
Model: Michelle Moss
V
Dehan Engelbrecht Model: Zanele
V
Dehan Engelbrecht Model: Zanele
V
Hendre' Louw
V
MarlieJ Model: Leandri
V E b e n M a l a n
Model: Cindy Caption: Wings
V
Kyle Goulden Caption: Etched
V
F8Images Gerrit du Toit Model: Genevieve
V COVER: Allan Riedel Model: Kaylin
Winner of the cover competition “POW”