The Official MIPP Newsletter
February 2015
FOCALPOINT
Issue No. 48
www.mipp-malta.com
EDITORIAL So the AGM has
come and gone and us committee members are full of enthusiasm to bring you the best events for this upcoming year! This also means thats Kerstin & myself will be on board once again with the newsletter, and we hope to bring you the best we can to make your reading pleasureable but also informative. February we are bringing you a great talk by artist David Pisani who practices with the photographic medium. His talk will surely be of interest to those of you who are keen of keeping the art in photography whilst still making a living.
Top Image: Editor Therese Debono Above: Assistant Editor Kerstin Arnemann
Find us on:
Mid February we see Sergio Muscat’s opening of his exhibition called ‘Improvised Moves’. The exhibition runs till February 28th so try and find the time to go and see it.
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!
Newsletter Team Editor: Therese Debono Assistant Editor: Kerstin Arnemann Design: Therese Debono Article Vetting: Vince DeBono
We also want to apologise for issuing this newsletter late, however we wanted to do this after the AGM so as to include a summary of it.
Articles: Various contributors
Meanwhile have a good month and keep warm! Therese & Kerstin!
Contact: newsletter@mippmalta.com
Editorial Advice: Kevin Casha
CONTENTS
FEBRUARY 2015 pg 2 pg 4 pg 14 pg 18 pg 20 pg 22 pg 24 pg 26 pg 27 pg 28
cover artist
President’s viewpoint Featured MIPP member Out & About MIPP Monthly Talk The Societies Winners The Societies Winners The Societies Winners MIPP Notice MIPP Notice Member’s Gallery
Digital Photographer Practice Etienne Cassar February Events ‘The Professional Artist’ with David Pisani Darrin Zammit Lupi Romana Wylie Romana Wylie AGM Summary Studio Lights for hire International Online Competition Standings
Sergio Muscat “Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.” ~ Psalm 2:3 “Handel’s Messiah engulfs the church and in a dark corner at the back, a single light shines on the dancer who, enthralled by the music, dances, oblivious to my presence. I try to keep it that way. I don’t want to break the spell. The question persistent in my mind, as I try to absorb the sensations around me, is “how do I bring this all together in an image?” I want to convey the sense of joy, peace – the power of the music and fluidity of the dancer.
We are both improvising. There isn’t much that can be done in terms of planning such a shoot, so I wanted to also convey the improvised nature of the exercise in the images I was taking. The camera was constantly stuck to my eye… and I followed. Instinctively I squeezed the shutter, capturing long exposures of the dancer’s movements, while the music resounded constantly in my head. I let myself go, not even checking to see what was coming through except during the occasional break in music and dance. I was truly improvising, and I needed to set up the camera to reflect that improvisation.”
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Digital Photographer Practice As
my background hails from conventional film and the darkroom, I was perhaps initially a bit reluctant to accept Digital Photography when it appeared on the scene. I had not grown up with computers and, to me, I really did not relish having to start learning a new medium and new techniques to continue practicing and working with photography. Still, although I take some time, I have never been averse to change and adapting, and after realizing that my work would not really be able to compete with work which was digitally enhanced, I plunged into embracing this new (at that time) medium. The more I went in depth, the more I realized that digital photography was not only here to stay, but had also given all photographers a great freedom to create and improve on our images. Today, no image goes out of my studio without being carefully looked at and digitally enhanced. This is not done for the sake of using digital programs and effects, but because I have realized that I can improve the quality of each and every image that comes out of my camera, no matter how carefully and technically I produce it in camera. In my opinion, what a photographer
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Kevin Casha
should keep in mind is not to overdo the editing and retouching on his images. I still strive to get it right first time in the camera and reserve my editing to subtle, quite unnoticeable changes. I think that editing should, at most times, be subtle and not obvious - unless one is working towards an artistic abstract or fantasy image. Naturally, one should also be aware not to over manipulate nature images and in photojournalism, only minimal editing should be employed, (such as colour balancing and cropping). In the photojournalism genre, the message is of the utmost importance and the photographer has an ethical responsibility of showing the truth. Today’s photographer is more of an “Image Maker.” Not only does one have to learn the basics and technique, but one needs to master digital editing software, be aware of design elements as well as study the work of successful photographers and pioneers who have blazed a trail in this art. Today, a photographer worth his salt needs to keep abreast with technological changes that are constantly altering the way we produce and look at photographs, so that one can always improve on the quality of one’s product
viewpoint
– the photographs. Digital Photography has really given back photography to the masses, even more so than the Kodak Brownie. . The pressure on producing striking images and being creative is ever so vital and important. If a photographer’s work is to be noticed, it really has to stand head and shoulders above that which a multitude of people possessing good cameras are currently producing. Before one clicks a photo, always ask if the shot is going to be different to those thousands shot by the ‘normal’ happy go lucky person who own a good camera. Otherwise, who is going to notice or pay money for a quality of work which can be duplicated by a lesser knowledgeable photographer?
Image 1
Image 2 Image 1 is the original off camera shot with minor tweaks in LR. Image 2 has very subtle editing, which enhances on Image 1. Whereas Image 3 is a typical example of an over processed image. Looks like someone was happy with plugins and decided to try them all on the same image!
Image 3
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The Leap from Techinical to Artistic In this month’s edition we decided to feature Etienne Cassar, who has been into photography since the analogue days, however he made the leap from the techinical side to the artistic side....Read on to find out what he has to say about his journey!
It came quite as a surprise to me
when I was approached by Therese and Kerstin a few days ago and asked to be featured in the MIPP newsletter. The hectic life that we lead never leaves us the time to reflect about ourselves, and about where our journeys are heading. So I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to stop for a moment, sit down and try and make myself aware of where I’ve been, what I am doing and where I am heading with regards to my journey in photography. So where did this passion for photography start? I’m afraid that I can’t give a straight forward answer to this question. As a young boy I never used to own a photographic camera but remember quite well that I was fascinated whenever I saw one. It was not before reaching age 18 that I had the opportunity to attend a beginner’s photography course and start learning the basics. This led
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me to buy my first film SLR camera almost a year later. My knowledge of photography was still very limited, and I was more interested in the process of photography, in the science and physics behind it, rather than in the artistic part. At the time I used to measure my photographic skill by the number of photos that I manage to get back from a roll of film. I used to feel good because the processing lab was able to give me a print from every exposure that I did. With the introduction of internet and digital photography things changed a bit. As soon as digital SLR cameras became affordable, I took the plunge and bought my second camera. Now I could take more pictures without having to worry about developing costs. Finally I could experiment and see the result right away. I used to spend hours on end surfing the net learning more and more about the science of photography and getting
featured member
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Previous Page: Fairytale Night This Page: Calm & Still
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as technical as can be. I used to read a lot about how digital camera sensors work, why you get increased noise with increase in ISO, and why you get more noise in shadow areas rather than in highlight areas, what is a colour space, what is a colour profile, and the list goes on. But I soon discovered that no matter how much knowledge I was gaining, and how much reading I was doing on the subject, my pictures were still lacking something. I was kind of getting lost behind technicalities and equipment. It was only then that I realised that there is much more to photography than just science. On my own I was coming to a halt and couldn’t move on in my journey. That is when I decided to join the MIPP. Still, this was just the first step forward. I knew that to improve, I had to start sharing my work with other photographers while, at the same time, be open to criticism. Initially, I was very reluctant to do this and was afraid that any criticism will put me off and make me feel bad. But luckily, with the help of a couple of members of the MIPP that I now consider to be great friends, I have managed to start breaking my shell and to start pushing my boundaries. Now my journey in learning photography has taken a whole new route. I am discovering new aspects and new
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Opposite Page: Street Life
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styles of photography that I never knew existed. I’m not just limiting myself to taking pictures when I’m on vacation abroad. Photography now is helping me discover and find inspiration in places here in Malta. Whenever I have some free time at home I try to create pictures using stuff that I find, like kitchen utensils, oil, water, and smoke. Whereas before I used to struggle to try and not have any people visible in my photos of locations, now I actually wait for people to walk in front of my camera to be included and form part of my picture. Lately I also started to try some astrophotography at night, which I am finding to be quite challenging.
Opposite Page: Lonliness
So, even though I’ve been taking pictures since I was 19yrs, it is only now that I feel like I am on the right track in my journey in photography. Where am I heading, or where I want to go from here? I think that there is so much to discover both in photography and in the world around us, that it is difficult to predict where this journey will take me. What is sure is that I have to continue to try hard and continue to push my boundaries, possibly become more creative with my photographs, and not be afraid to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. It is only like that that I can discover what I am really capable of doing and what I can achieve.
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This Spread: Mysterious Visitor Article & Images by Etienne Cassar
OUT AND ABOUT
February Events
Since art is not only about photography, Kerstin came up with the brilliant idea of selecting a few monthly events and pointing them out to our members so that you visit these interesting exhibitions/installations/ book launches and be inspired! Enjoy!
MIPP members Sergio Muscat and Therese
Debono, together with Anna Galea, Anna Grima, David Xuereb & Ray Azzopardi are the exhibitors at this exhibition held at PN Headquarters in Pieta. Works vary from photography, painting and sculptor. The opening was held on 29th January, however the exhibition runs till end of February and is open all day.
Diversita Diversita, Collective Art Exhitibition at Malta Society of Arts. Republic Street 219, Valletta 30. January - 27. February https://www.facebook.com/MaltaSocietyofArts/ photos/a.449102731775548.105465.44907487844 5000/915963655089451/?type=1&theater
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A Junction Collective Art Exhibition Exhibition artists: Gabriel Buttigieg Fabio D’Amato Ryan Falzon Sarah Mamo Robert Zahra Andrea Zerafa Sarah Maria Scicluna Sabrina Calleja Jackson Venue: Xarolla Windmill, Zurrieq Info:https://www.facebook.com/events/1552030925066274/?sid_reminder=378709183706431488
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Kevin Casha will be conducting a series of talks on iconic American Photographers.
The talks will be hosted and supported by the American Embassy in Malta. He will be reviewing the life and work of Gordon Parks. This series of talks is aimed at creating awareness about Photographers who have strongly impacted the lives of many people around them. *Places are limited on a ‘first come first served’ basis and those who accept this invitation to attend need to register by sending an email to the US Embassy on usembmalta@state.gov or contacting Ms Joanna Zingariello, Press, Protocol and Exchanges Assistant US Embassy Valletta, Malta Email zingarielloj@state.gov Office +356 2561-4147 Ăˆ Cell +356 9985-6314
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Improvised Moves The “Improvised Moves” photographic exhibition by Sergio Muscat is part of Goldberg Ensemble Malta’s project - Rejoice! - based on Handel’s Messiah. It is the result of a collaboration between the Ensemble and artist Sergio Muscat together with dancer Liana Vella-Zarb and lights technician Joseph Azzopardi. The project received funding from the Malta Arts Fund and sponsorship from The Palace together with MIB. The exhibition will be held at The Palace Hotel in Sliema, and will run from the 16th till 28th February.
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The Professional Artist
David Pisani
THE PROFESSIONAL ARTIST CONFLICT AND COMPROMISE
David Pisani is a professional photographer specializing in Architecture and urban reportage. He is the author of an extensive personal photographic essay on Valletta entitled ‘Vanishing Valletta’ which in the year 2000 was included in the permanent collections of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Vanishing Valletta was also published as a monograph in 2007. He has also produced a photographic essay on the city of Dubai entitled ‘Future City’ which was commissioned by Emirates Airlines for their corporate art collection. His most recent work includes two photographic essays on the war zones in Cyprus and the city of Kyoto. He is a fanatical darkroom printer with more than 25 years experience in commercial and fine art printing.
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Success for Local Photographer at The Societies Convention MIPP Member and photo journalist Darrin Zammit Lupi won the Documentary Photographer of the Year 2014 award & also placed Second in The Societies Photographer of the Year 2014. Winning Image: “The picture shows a Somali woman making paper bracelets beneath a graffiti-covered wall in a dormitory at the Lyster barracks detention centre. Judges’ comments on this image: “It has a strong narrative with excellent composition – the emotive words along with the action of the subject tell a powerful story.” 2014 has been another incredible year for The Societies’ Monthly Image Competition with 12,694 images from all over the globe entered throughout the year. Phil Jones The Societies’ CEO says, “This year we have seen a fantastic range of images and the standard has been very high. The Photographer of the Year Awards represent some of the finest images entered into the competition and have competed against some of the world’s best photographers. Congratulations to all our winners.” The Awards gala dinner, the highlight of The Societies 2015 Convention, was held on 17th January 2015 at The Hilton Metropole Hotel in London. The Societies is Europe’s largest all-welcome association for the serious photographer. Darrin’s comments - The award for one of my pictures on migration, coming hot on the heels of the publication of my book Isle Landers, is a fantastic rounding-off to what has been a roller coaster ride of a year. Immigration is a very hot topic in the UK, as well as in Malta, so having the picture do so well in one of the UK’s top photography contests means a lot to me. After the awards ceremony, loads of people came up to me wanting to know more about the situation in Malta, and that can only be a good thing.
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Above: The Societies’ CEO Phil Jones presenting The Societies’ 2nd Place Photographer of the Year 2014 award, sponsored by Canon UK, to Darrin Zammit Lupi.
Above: The Winning Image
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Success for MIPP Member at The Societies Convention MIPP Member Romana Wylie won the “Portraiture Studio Photographer of the Year 2014”, this January at The Societies Convention in London.
Judges’ comments on this image: “It is great to see an image that has broken the rules and achieved a great result. Colour, contrast and exposure have been well handled giving this image a complete rounded appearance.”
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Above: Ben Jones Societies’ Online News Editor with Romana Wyllie
Above: The Winning Image
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AGM SUMMARY 3rd February 2015; Le Meridien The meeting started at 7:45pm, with an attendance of 26 members. Charles Calleja read the Secretary General’s Report and Martin Agius read the Book Keeping report. Kevin Casha, went through the amendments to the statute. All amendments passed, except for one which has to be revised. The amendment regarding the committee members going down to 5 members instead of 7 went through so the New Committee Members are: Kevin Casha, Martin Agius, Therese Debono, Sergio Morana and Duncan Cauchi. Heartfelt thanks go to Charles Calleja and Ramon Sammut, who for this year opted out of the Executive Committee due to personal reasons. We wish them all the best. Towards the end of the meeting Kevin Casha asked members if they have any suggestions to make. Sergio Muscat asked members after the lack of attendance during the October/November Convention, however nothing was conclusive. John Ambrogio suggested that MIPP speaks to MQC to get the Licentiate Panel recognised as a qualification. Minutes will follow to members by email.
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CALENDAR 11th February PTYA - Contemporary Portraiture 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
12th February Monthly Talk with David Pisani 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
3rd March Monthly Talk with Guido Bonett 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
10th March Int. Online Competition - Session 2 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
22nd March One Day Seminar Venue and schedule tbc
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STUDIO FLASH UNITS AVAILABLE FOR RENTING This set of electronic studio flash units has been kindly donated to the MIPP by PHOTOIMAGES (photoimages@maltanet.net ) of Laurent Ropa Street, Birkirkara, who are now under the management of Matthew Briffa. Photoimages are the distributors of Interfit lighting and a host of other accessories useful for both the hobbyist and the professional photographer. To further increase the service we give to MIPP members, we are happy to announce that the MIPP is now in possession of an INTERFIT EX150 MK.3 KIT. The MIPP intends to rent out these lights to members at a very nominal fee, thus members who could hitherto not afford to practice studio photography, because of lack of studio lighting equipment, will now have an opportunity to do so. This adds another tangible benefit to our members, and I would also like to remind members that there is also the possibility of being loaned picture frames from the MIPP for exhibition purposes. Those who are interested to rent out the lights are to contact Sergio Morana on sergio.morana@gmail.com.
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MEMBERS’ GALLERY
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Above: Gold Award for Romana Wylie
Above: Silver Award for Sandra Hotrum
Above: Silver Award for George Abdilla Left: Silver Award for Tom Lee
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