The Official MIPP Newsletter
January 2015
FOCALPOINT
Issue No. 47
www.mipp-malta.com
EDITORIAL
By
the time you get this newsletter I am sure that you are not all done from all the mince pies, chocolates and drinks, so here I am writing to you all with a nice mince pie looking adoringly at me waiting to be nibbled at!
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!
What a year this has been! So many events organised, and looking at the MIPP Calendar for the new year it promises to be jammed packed too! I can’t thank you enough dear members for faithfully attending our events and supporting the hard work which the executive committee and other helpers do. It is truly fullfilling to see that what we do is received with open arms!
Assistant Editor Kerstin Arnemann
I hope that most of you come up with some interesting exhibitions hibi i and projects for this year, so that I can all feature you on our newsletter and share with other peers! Meanwhile, I will get rid of all the mince pies at home and resolve to not touch any more till end of this year! Happy 2015 to you all!
Find us on: Therese & Kerstin!
Newsletter Team Editor: Therese Debono Assistant Editor: Kerstin Arnemann Design: Therese Debono Article Vetting: Vince DeBono Articles: Various contributors Editorial Advice: Kevin Casha Contact: newsletter@mippmalta.com
CONTENTS
JANUARY 2015 pg 2 pg 4 pg 10 pg 14 pg 18 pg 20
President’s viewpoint Featured MIPP member Travel Feature Out & About MIPP Monthly Talk Calendar of Events
January Viewpoint David Sammut Right2Smile by Simon Attard January Events Sunlight by Albert de Marco Mark your Diaries!
HAPPY 2015! cover artist
Keith Ellul Sirius “This was my first take in astrophotography, it was not the ideal night for it but in this image the clouds added some interest, this is a shot of the star Sirius and the constellation of Orion (right). It was shot in Mtahleb at around midnight; unfortunately there was some light pollution but managed to get some interesting shots of the night sky. Out of 5 images I had taken that night this was my favourite, the glow around Sirius and the moving clouds are what made the image. I don’t like to be technical but the settings I used are ISO 1000 f/2.8 20/1 sec @ 24mm, focus set to infinity; I wasn’t after trails so I decided to pump up the ISO a bit and shoot wide to get the stars as sharp as possible”.
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VIEWPOINT
Kevin Casha
Dear Members, This being the first viewpoint for 2015, I would like to wish you and your loved ones the most successful and prosperous New Year. May we all manage to go through 2015 keeping our good health as well as our enthusiasm for life and all that we do. This time round, I wanted to share with you some personal thoughts. Last year, both top MIPP competitions, namely the Photographer of the Year and the International Online Competition, were won by the gentler sex. Furthermore, four of the members gaining Qualifications, (from a total of six panels), were also women! Was this a coincidence? I do not really think so and in fact I have long been feeling the growth and opportunity that women photographers have gained partly through Digital photography. Fifteen years back, I distinctly remember the extremely low number of females who would apply to learn photography during my courses – they would invariably be outnumbered ten to one by the males! Yet, now the boot seems to have shifted to the other foot. Take the clear example of my MCAST Higher National Diploma Photography first year Class which consists of seven girls and one boy! Even the MIPP membership seems to be steadily increasing its female membership. So what are the reasons of this evident increase in women photography practitioners in what was, previously, rather a male dominated profession? I feel that the main factor behind this is the facility that digital technology has undoubtedly given us. The barriers have surely been lowered. Through my previous experience, most females have seemingly shied away from technical aspects so, for most of them, it was rather daunting to get to grips with complicated equipment, f-stops and tricky photographic techniques. It is not because they are not capable of surmounting these obstacles but I feel that their temperament prefers concentrating on other things. Have you ever really met a girl who is a ‘techie’ or fixated with photographic equipment and technology? One in a million, whilst on the other hand, many males are actually into photography because they are gadget freaks and love technique. Although I do not think that this is scientifically proven, this does seem to be a distinct trend between the two sexes. Thus, and again this is only my view coming from years of practical experience, when digital (and the camera monitor) nudged out conventional photography, females now do not really need any more to concentrate so much on technique but have plunged fully into
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viewpoint
the art of photography and creativity. Again, one can now feel another distinct trend – female photographers seem to be steaming ahead into the forefront when it comes to conceptual photography and many times, seem to be leaving males lagging behind. I do feel that both sexes can learn from each other. How fantastic would it be that photographers who are obsessed with technique would start adding context and message in their photographs and how ideal would it be if those employing context and message could supplement their work with the right technique and quality? I feel that this is another benefit, albeit not very recognized, that Digital photography has granted us. It has got everyone in ‘on the act’ and this undoubtedly gives photographic art a much wider breadth and dimension. So males beware – we all need to further improve our game if we are to provide an adequate challenge to the fairer sex!
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IS BEING A PHOTOGRAPHER EQUAL TO David Sammut BEING AN ARTIST?
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featured member
Surely, the concept of photography falls under the realm of one of the Arts, but can you strictly label someone an artist based on their job or hobby? Photographers are everywhere nowadays. Beyond the thousands upon thousands of photographers who have a business and make a living taking pictures, there are also all the families with cameras and anyone who halfway knows how to use a camera phone. Every one of you who calls himself a photographer has the opportunity in my opinion, to call himself an artist. The term artist has a powerful meaning that is non-discriminatory. You, as an artist have the distinct ability to take something and make it your own. But for me, I don’t consider myself an artist. It’s not a name I give myself because I feel that it is too strong for how I look at my own photos. What do I do? In one world I am a parent, in another world I have a full time job at the University of Malta, and in another world I am a bubbly person with photography as my hobby. I only find myself in true harmony when shooting architecture or a sunrise session with my friends.
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Today’s world throws at us hectic moments and it’s hard to manage everything. Photography really relaxes me and I do my best to keep it that way. When I was a kid I was always attracted to photography but I couldn’t afford a camera till I met a good friend of mine. He used to work in the Fire Section at the Malta Airport and I saw thousands of slides and photographs taken during fire drills. I was hooked and after I got my first job, I bought my first camera with my first pay cheque. Aircraft and horses were my first subjects and I took reels upon reels of the expensive colour films not to mention developing them. In the Army I learned how to develop black & white pictures and slide films. This pulled me deeper into the photographic medium. Then came the switch to digital photography. At first I held back in purchasing a digital photography because I had other financial priorities; in those days digital cameras weren’t cheap. When I had my first new born I got one as a present and I continued to enjoy photography again. Training plays a very important role when having such a hobby. This is an ongoing learning process that never ends. There is always something new to
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learn. Techniques need to be refined and kept updated. Keeping updated is not that hard with all the courses, seminars and workshops available especially the ones MIPP offers. Inspiration is not that hard either; you only need to look around you. Seeking things to inspire you and take the opportunity to capture the moment. An image that may either be discarded or wow the onlookers. Our generation doesn’t need much to pick up and learn how to take great photos, it’s not like you need a darkroom, chemicals and to constantly be purchasing film. With just a good smart phone you can yield some amazing good quality photos. This has opened the world of photography and the arts to a lot more people. Being a photographer can be just as much about having technical skill and experience, as it is about having a vision. In order to make photographs you need to have a mix of both. Whichever type of photo you’re trying to capture, chances are you won’t have all the time in the world to check every setting available on your camera. Today, where just about every photo is being retouched to some degree, editing is also a technical skill that allows you to create your style in your photos. This involves more
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sharpening of our techniques. In our own personal photos, are we weighing skill and vision equally? Are we working enough to improve both of them and not just one? In my opinion there is no mold in photography. We don’t have to fit all in any particular style. Everybody needs to find his own style and explore it from every angle possible. Everybody can get the media they want to capture [vision] and over time we develop our own styles through skills and experience. Joining MIPP was a good investment for me not just for the information and experience gathered but also for the friendships I made.
Left: Enthusiastic Member David Sammut. Page 4: Shades of Orange Page 7: Kahla Page 9: Red Stairs Images & Article by David Sammut
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RIGHT2SMILE! Simon Attard
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travel feature
During my trip to India in November 2013 I was contacted by a
person on Facebook who had asked my permission to share the photos I was uploading on my Facebook page whilst travelling there. He was the founder of an NGO called Right2Smile. This NGO organises trips for its members to help out in their projects with less fortunate children in India and Kenya. The contact was made and the seed planted... I travelled to Kenya on 1st August 2014 with a Group of 10 other volunteers. We flew to Istanbul then to Nairobi. Two hour taxi ride to Nngong then a bumpy ride on a pickup truck to our final destination: Olasiti. A very remote village in the Maasai Tribe territory. The group members were allocated to 4 different Maasai families and we shared their very humble abode for the next 3 weeks. No electricity, no water, no mobile but much peace and serenity. Obviously I took my photography equipment.... not much, as I do not have much but enough to serve my purposes. One thing I must state is that during this trip I finally fell in love with my mirrorless Fujifilm camera. After a yearlong relationship we have started to know and understand each other and it seems that we are into this until death do us part. The environs of the village where mainly savannah at the foot of a range of mountains, windy, arid, covered with thorn bushes and flat top acacia trees. The “wealthier� families grazed their sheep and cows in the vicinity and a 10 minute walk would take you very close to a wild herd of giraffes. Other wild animals like hyenas and dik dik roamed nearby too. Most of our days were spent at the schools which Right2Smile have built there. We interacted and played with the children. We organised fun activities and outings. We met the Maasai elders of the village and had educational workshops about local issues in Nairobi. Most of all we tried to exchange cultures. Ours and theirs.
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We lived in the same places and conditions as they do. Ate and slept just like they do. We walked long distances to fetch our water. We travelled for an hour to charge our mobile phones. We where in bed by 8.30pm and up on our feet at 6.00am. They have very little but have the greatest smile I have ever seen. We also managed to fit in a 3 day safari during our stay. We travelled by car to the Maasai Mara safari park. We had the opportunity to experience the animals in their natural habitat from very close range. Animals were many: lions, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, gazelles, baboons and the list goes on. I was lucky as the weather was cloudy and managed to capture some great shots of the animals and the landscape. To sum it all up, it was one amazing experience. The country, the people, the animals, the culture, the reggae music, the new friends and the photographic opportunities. But most importantly it was a great lesson in life. An eye opener. . Money and possessions does not make you a better person. It might make your life easier but happiness and serenity cannot be bought. As a photographer I asked a lot of persons to smile for the camera. I did not need to do that with these people and children. It came naturally to them. They are poor in material belongings but very rich emotionally and they have every Right2Smile!
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OUT AND ABOUT
January 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 member Darrin Zammit Lupi will be holding an interesting artist’s talk on
his current exhibition, ISLE LANDERS. You are all invited to turn up at ST JAMES CAVALIER. It will be the last opportunity to view the exhibition as it is its last show day. Hope to see you there so we can also personally pass on our New Year’s wishes! Date: Sunday 4th January Time: 19:30hrs Venue: St James Cavalier
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On Sunday 4th Janaury, we invite you to join us for this live session at The Villa
Malta as part of the series Christmassy Sundays at The Villa Hosted by Get it.
The setup features Joe Debono (piano), Oliver Degabriele (double bass) and Carlo Muscat (saxophone). Looking forward to seeing you there! -Music by TOG Sound Hosted by GET it
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Flying Sculptures an exhibition by ELKA Dates: 16th January - 15th February Venue: Upper Galleries
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ince May 2014, Elka Duo have been involved in a project of nomadic creation and life, experimenting with production as mobile artists. The materials are lightweight and small, leading to new methods of creation. “Flying Sculptures” serves as a reflection on sculpture and photography, questioning the concept of ecology and travel. No cutting, no uprootal... and no trace: those are the rules of “Flying Sculptures”. ELKA is a French-Belgian duo formed by Elodie Laurent and Stéphane Kiszak.
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SUNLIGHT
Albert de Marco
More often we perceive our harsh sunlight as a disadvantage due to the fact that harsh light = harsh shadows. Unfortunately sometimes we fail to take advantage of the patterns created by shade and shadows. Harsh shadows can be seen as helpful in architecture photography but what about in other fields of our skill? This is the question we shall be trying to answer during this talk entitled Sunlight
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CALENDAR 6th Janaury Sunlight - Talk by Albert de Marco 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
13th January Int Online Comp - Judging Session 1 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
27th January Debate Night - an informal forum 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
3rd February AGM
19:30hrs, Le Meridien
11th February PTYA - Contemporary Portraiture 19:30hrs, Le Meridien
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