The Official MIPP Newsletter
August 2015
FOCALPOINT
Issue No. 54
www.mipp-malta.com
EDITORIAL Now we are in mid summer,
welcome August, the month where us islanders relax, or work harder depends where we work, but also the month which hosts World Photography Day worldwide!
If you want your photos featured on the newsletter’s front page just send the images to newsletter@mippmalta.com. Your contributions are always welcome!
On this side of the world, on this tiny rock, us at MIPP are organising a BBQ to celebrate this event in collaboration with Atlam, the Subaqua Club in Bahar ic-Caghaq. (More details on Pg 24). Meanwhile August offers great night skies thanks to the August Meteor Showers also known as ‘Id-Dmugh ta San Lawrenz’ (so called since it coincides with the feast of St Top Image: Editor Therese Debono Above: Assistant Editor Kerstin Arnemann
Lawrence). So you people who are into long exposures and night photography might enjoy a few nights out in the dark, armed with tripod and camera looking out for shooting stars and making wishes!
Newsletter Team Editor: Therese Debono Assistant Editor: Kerstin Arnemann Design: Therese Debono Article Vetting: Vince DeBono Articles: Various contributors
Happy Summer! Find us on:
Regards Therese & Kerstin!
Editorial Advice: Kevin Casha Contact: newsletter@mippmalta.com
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cover artist
President’s Viewpoint Featured MIPP members MIPP Notices Exhibition Out & About MIPP Monthly Event MIPP Monthly Event MIPP Notice MIPP Calendar Member’s Gallery
CONTENTS August Viewpoint Meet Stefan Cachia First MIPP Still Image in Photography Course Minimalistic Encounters by Kevin Casha August Events Working with Green Screen Editing Workflow with Martin Agius BBQ on World Photography Day Mark your diaries! IOC Standings
PODGE KELLY This month’s front cover won a Silver Award in the International Online competition. Below Podge describes how this image has been executed and as you can see it is very simple, which goes to show that when done well, simple works beautifully! “This image was shot with just window light and processed in Photoshop and I used some Nik Filters as I usually do! And that’s about it...wonderful light and a beautiful model....and of course me! :)”
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AUGUST VIEWPOINT by Kevin Casha Dear Members, Whilst most of you are rightfully enjoying their holidays and doing your best to relax during these hot summer months, the MIPP Committee has been busy preparing for the yearly MIPP international convention coming up fast in November. The convention, which is again being organized with the collaboration of The Societies of Great Britain, promises to be the highlight of a very busy and productive 2015. As always, we attempt to listen to our members’ wishes and some changes have been introduced during this year’s event. We will, first of all, be opening the Qualifications judging session even for the general public. We feel that this event should be witnessed and enjoyed by all those who wish to improve their level of photography. Thus, giving access to this event will hopefully encourage more persons to apply for one of the three prestigious MIPP Qualifications. We will be holding this
Flashback to the recent ‘Shooting for Perfection’ seminar held at Monte Kristo Estates
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viewpoint
event in the Le Meridien ballroom and a cash bar will be purposely set up at the same venue in order to encourage networking and cooperation between members, participants and the general public. The main two days of the convention will then be, for the first time, held at Monte Kristo Estates. This move has mainly been done in order to offer an alternative venue than previous locations and also because of the success obtained by this year’s joint day event held with the Fotografer at the same venue. Monte Kristo is particularly strong in offering various photogenic areas where practical workshops can be successfully held. We know that most of our members request such workshops as they are very important in order to learn new skills and gain inspiration from the tutors. For this reason we have structured this convention to be very much ‘hands on’. Furthermore, this year’s weekend will be based on two top international Photographers, namely Damian McGillicuddy from UK and Cristina Venedict from Romania. The two will be running workshops and inspiring us with their top work. This year’s convention punch line - ‘Tune up your Photography’ clearly highlights one of the main aims of this seminar but the benefits of attending are multiple and wide ranging. We sincerely hope to see a good number of participants in this year’s convention and finally, most of all, we want to see your passion and enthusiasm towards the art of Photography. Kevin Casha President
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featured MIPP member
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MEET STEFAN CACHIA “Today I can say that I am finally recognizing photography as that uniquely challenging visual art form where conveyance of a message is exclusively restricted to a still capture or a collection thereof � Stefan Cachia
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My photographic walk started as late as April 2012, coinciding with the purchase of my first Nikon DSLR. Back then my understanding of photographic jargon and technique ranged from slim to none. To put you in the picture, just a few months before my venture, I was arguing with a photographer friend of mine that a waterproof compact I took over on kayaking trips was better than his Nikon full frame DSLR simply because it sported an additional 4 Megapixels of resolution. Three years down the line from my ‘conversion’ to larger sensor cameras (and corresponding weight penalty increase) I convinced myself to secure an enthusiast compact, driven by the saying “The Best Camera Is The One That’s With You”. I owe the snap out of my ‘strictly larger sensor’ mindset, to MIPP’s opportunity to visit an exhibition by Hong Kong Artist, Kitty Chou. Notwithstanding this, being a pixel peeper to the core, I consider shooting with my Smartphone strictly a last resort measure. An engineer by profession I initially approached the subject from a purely technical perspective, starting off by reading through the entire DP review glossary of terms and covering most of my DSLR manual content. In tandem I also fell into the trap of buying new gear too soon. The first approach carried me through for a few months by providing me with a solid understanding of the physical constraints and opportunities, on a different note, the gear trap was simply stifling. Luckily I had many fellow photographers and mentors helping me steer away from my selfimposed limitations. I followed a beginners course at MPS, six months into my venture, followed by an intermediate course at MIPP (Fast Track by Kevin Casha).
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Being relatively new to the art, over these past three years or so, I have exposed myself to various genres of photography, each of which presenting specific challenges and demands. I was formerly enthusiastic about shooting nature macro but my fondness for landscape and recently street photography, have become exceedingly apparent. Being an outdoors person, very keen on trekking and travel, my fondness for landscape comes as a natural predisposition. I am particularly keen about monochrome photography but I am still actively refining my editing skills to support this inclination (Ansel Adams is a favourite since he interprets landscapes in B&W). In March this year I took the plunge and embarked on a trip of a lifetime to Iceland, with Rene Rossignaud. I must say that this was a trip I will never forget. The
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unparalleled arctic weather made it practically impossible to use a tripod or shoot long exposures and forget about a lens change in open air. The extremes of wind (better described as gales), sleet and humidity were something to reckon with. Notwithstanding this, I managed to secure a number of valid shots, some of which were taken kneeling or flat on my stomach, for fear of losing balance. I chose to share some of these captures in this newsletter edition. I am particularly keen on capturing stormy weather with raging seas and dramatic overcast cloud formations. I am adamant against replacing skies when presenting my work, so what you see is what I witnessed during the shoot. I never shoot landscape with bland skies and I pay mounting attention to lighting and shadows. Participation in MIPP photographic competitions has significantly sharpened my skills and may I take this opportunity to encourage healthier participation by MIPP members. I learned mostly from the captures that were lambasted by the judges and did not qualify as competition material. I have some very vivid and sobering remembrances to cherish and carry home with me at that. My future endeavours are to shoot more often, progressively refine shooting and editing technique and ultimately to push my boundaries and be more creative. I love to research themes before embarking on a shoot and fervently follow online sites, the likes of 500px and Flickr. I observe and learn from other artists’ work but aspire to develop my own style in the years to come.
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Article & Images by Stefan Cachia Page 4: Stokkur geyser in Geysir - Iceland Page 7: Misty Molveno - Northern Italy Page 9: Raging Seas in Kirkjufjara - Iceland
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The first MIPP STILL IMAGE IN PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE A fascinating learning experience! This year saw the MIPP launching its first Photography course leading to a level 3 accredited qualification recognized by the Malta Qualifications Council. The MIPP STILL IMAGE IN PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE is now midway through its completion and, although demanding, is proving to be a veritable learning curve for the twenty one participants. The course covers all aspects of photography, starting up with a sound foundation of techniques but branching out into conceptual practice and a host of practical, hands-on workshops at various locations and venues specifically prepared to challenge the Learners’ skills and stimulate creativity. Learners are also keeping Reflective journals which help to encourage research in areas which before could have been out of the Learners’ scope. The idea of presenting tasks which are outside each Learner’s comfort zone is an ideal way of improving the general perspective and knowledge of students in such courses. The feedback from the Learners has been very encouraging and positive. The course comes to an end in November, where, again for the first time, the presentation of the Certificates will be awarded to the successful candidates during the Annual Awards Dinner during the MIPP November convention. The next Still Image Course will be held in 2016 and applications will be received as from this December 2015.
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Minimalistic Encounters Art is so subjective that the formula remains elusive to this very day. Perhaps this is an advantage for the creative soul, as this constant doubt and questioning can spur on the artist to maintain his search, his life long quest to give intent or purpose to his work. My photography has always been curiously characterized with the attempt to convey the elusive beauty of life. Yet, lately, I have been looking at other areas in which to take my work. I have begun probing, questioning, leaving my comfort zone to tackle subjects and issues which I had previously shied away from. This recently awakened insight is enabling me to imbue my work with more meaning, purpose and concept. Inspiration can be found in any object or situation – it is the artist’s job to uncover them. As Henri Matisse quoted: “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” My early work was more concerned with technique and aesthetics. These are still a hallmark in my imagery but now I find myself more and more concerned with uncovering a reaction, a mood, an emotion. Concept is becoming one of my more important driving factors and foremost in my mind - even before picking up the camera. A further motivation behind the production of my current work is to strive to obtain reaction from my viewers - any kind of debate or provocation can help my work evolve to more meaningful heights. Even though I am coming from a film photography background, I have been utterly converted by digital media. The latter has gifted the photographer with the same tools and opportunities as any other artist. There are now no barriers whatsoever. The only limits are the photographer’s creativity, perception and passion. When I reflect on this, I cannot embrace more the thought attributed to the great Michelangelo that “A man paints with his brains and not with his hands”.
The exhibition is being held at Sistina Wine & Co; 188 The Strand, Gzira, Opposite Manoel Island Bridge. It will remain open for the general public till 30th August, 2015 during business hours.
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OUT AND ABOUT
August Events
Alessia Minuto Exhibition Touch Me (Tactile Paintings) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10206016141741040&set=oa.101530 40087600732&type=1&theater
Date: 23rd July - 31st August Venue: Malta Society of Arts, Republic Street, Valletta
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BELTIN - Zvezdan Reljic Date: First week of September - 20th September Venue: Heritage Malta, Melita Street, Valletta http://www.viva.org.mt/projects/beltin-zvezdan-reljic/
Photographer Zvezdan Reljic portrays different characters from the city of Valletta, documented by Elise Billiard, in an exhibition of black and white photographs
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Working with Green Screen
Ilab Staff
Next month’s event should be a really interesting one for you all who have struggled to extract a model off the background in Photoshop. Working with a green screen as a background facilitates this process so join us at Ilab this 4th August to learn all about this technique! See you there!
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Martin Agius
Editing Workflow
If you are a beginner and puzzled about editing workflow, then join Martin Agius for an informative talk about the following: 1. Calibrating Monitor with Xrite i1 Display Pro 2. Optimising Adobe Photoshop 3. Optimising Adobe Lightroom 4. Getting to know Adobe Lightroom basics
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Farewell Martin Attard It is with sadness that we bid farewell to MIPP Member and veteran photographer Martin Attard who passed away suddenly earlier this week. Martin Attard was an official photographer for the Department of Information (DOI) as well as a music lover and keen traveller. May he Rest in Peace.
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CALENDAR 4th August Working with Green Screen 19:00hrs, iLab Qormi
11th August Editing Workflow for Beginners 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
18th August BBQ for World Photography Day Atlam Subaqua Club, Bahar ic-Caghaq
1st September Abstract Photography 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
15th September IOC Judging Session 5 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
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MEMBERS’ GALLERY
IOC 4th Round
Silver Award: Cut through History by Lourdes Wain
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Silver Award: Image by Marika Mallia Scerri
Silver Award: Blue Maiden by Podge Kelly