ISSUE
75
The official MIPP Newsletter
Photography by Tom Lee
www.mipp-malta.com
2018
MAR | APR
Photograph by Kevin Casha
President’s Viewpoint How to overcome “Photographer’s Block” It happens to all of us - the dreaded Photographer’s Block. If you are into art, it is something that occurs rather regularly and is frustrating and depressing. How does one conquer it? Although there is definitely no hard and fast formula, the following tips can hopefully help.
1. TAKE A SHORT BREAK: First of all, fight it. Some people try to get past this block by taking a break from their artistic activity. This may work but if no improvement is noticeable within a couple of weeks, then I suggest that one moves on to the next stage and do something about it.
2. GO OUT! Just grab your camera and go out. Go by yourself and I suggest going in the early morning or the late afternoon. The failing light is often the best time to capture images. From my experience, anytime I take my camera and go for my own “Photowalk”, I always manage to come back with a couple of decent images... and, furthermore, it makes me reflect and focus.
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3. RE-CREATE & RESEARCH: Researching other photos and iconic photographers for inspiration. This can be done through internet, magazines, TV, blogs, websites etc. Seeing how a particular image was constructed or how a photograph has intrigued you will make you notice when and how a successful image works. This could inspire you to re-create an image and try to imbue it with your own interpretation. I find Pinterest particularly useful for this approach.
4. VISIT ART GALLERIES: Go and search for inspiration at art galleries, exhibitions and events. It does not even have to be photography absorb someone else’s creativity and your imagination and inspiration will usually benefit.
5. ENROL WITH A PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB: Networking with other people like you, will often result in creativity feeding off of creativity. You will be surprised at what you can learn from someone just starting out, as well as from experienced persons. One can learn from everyone and isolating yourself leads to remove you from connecting with the work of other people and, most probably, your work will become stale.
6. ATTEMPT A PROJECT: Challenge yourself by focusing on a project. It can be very simple, for example, clouds or shadows. It may also involve finding a prop and using it through a series of images. Nothing stimulates and improves your work than concentrating on a subject.
7. TAKE A CLASS: Enrol for a photography class. It is important that you keep up to date with new technology, new ideas and learning new skills. Particularly in this age, a photographer needs to be a master of a wide number of skills and techniques in order to compete.
8. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX: Think of things that don’t usually go together. Let us say a fridge and a male model. Try and think of ways to juxtapose the objects. It is a brain exercise which stimulates thinking differently and exploring new avenues. It becomes an exercise in exploring subjects from all the possible points of view. Kevin Casha President MIPP
Editor: Kevin Casha
Design: Sita Azzopardi
Articles: Various contributors
Proof Reading: Louisa Tonna
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
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Contents Jason Spiteri - Photographer contest winner
pg 05
MIPP Photographer of the Year
pg 06
Upcoming exhibition - Illusions of Reality
pg 9
MIPP Workshop Comments
pg 11
Tom Lee - by Kevin Casha
pg 13
MIPP Meetings
pg 19
MIPP Recommendation / Views / Procedure
pg 21
MIPP Calendar
pg 22/23
Membership renewal and newcomers
pg 24
MIPP benefits of being a member
pg 27
6
18 16
5 8
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Jason Spiteri announced winner of photography competition Recently, MIPP member Jason Spiteri was announced winner of a photographic contest on boudoir and lingerie photography on viewbug.com with his image entitled ‘Chiara’. The winning photograph was selected by judge Michael Woloszynowicz (http://www.vibrantshot.com) who went on to say “I chose this image as the winner because of the perfect pose and evocative expression from the model. It really grabs the viewer and has them thinking about what is going through her mind at that time. The lighting is spot-on and the post production is polished but remains natural. The little details such as the positioning of the hair down to the way the model’s hand interacts with the lingerie just puts it over the top.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Jason
Spiteri - ‘Chiara’
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The 2017 edition of the MIPP Photographer of the Year Joseph Lungaro came out on top of a fiercely contested MIPP Photographer of the Year Competition. He won the Award by gaining an aggregate of 327 points from the five sessions held throughout the year. Jean Paul Psaila and Marconia Schembri (competing for the first time in the PTYA) clocked up 318 and 315 points respectively. It was a close contested edition with 12 members participating. The MIPP would like to thank all the participants; the sponsors – Ilab Ltd and The Societies (UK); the judges as well as Martin Agius, who took care of the organization. The photographs reproduced here are from the 5th and final session on the theme of “Food.”
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Joseph
Lungaro - Seafood
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Mario Casha - Street Food
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Marconia Schembri - Ricotta Indulgence
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Jean Paul Psaila - Russian food
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MIPP The Malta Institute of Professional Photography
Workshop COMMENTS
This was my first full day workshop as a new member of MIPP and it fulfilled more than my expectations. The atmosphere was friendly and the set up of the room easy to be able to see what was being shown/taught. I found it encouraged me to join in and try out the subject matter with the tutor providing friendly guidance on a personal level when needed. I made some very useful contacts from within those attending and feel that I could approach anyone with questions. I look forward to attending many more of these in the future. Roger Chessal It was a very good workshop. I came mostly because I really like Charles’s teaching method, i.e a brief verbal introduction followed by lots of time to practice and correct mistakes. Tonio’s part of the lecture was a very welcome surprise. I really enjoyed learning about painting with light and have got plenty of ideas to keep me busy for the next ten years of ‘rainy weekends’! Maria Pia Cumbo
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Tom Lee by Kevin Casha
Tom was born in 1958 in the Northwest of England on a small peninsular called the Wirral. Early years consisted of training in architecture, building and civil engineering construction which provided ample income to pursue his free time interests in art and photography. Acknowledging the need for some sort
Tom Lee is no newcomer to Malta and the MIPP. He has been supportive to our Institute for many years as a member, judge and speaker at our conventions. Tom is a UK based international portrait and fine art photographer recognised for his expertise in digital image capture. He has accumulated multiple international awards in his career. Tom has a global reputation having on many occasions been part of International judging panels and delivered numerous seminars in the UK and abroad. He is also a published author and has written several books and collaborated with other renowned American authors. He also writes extensively for the photographic press at home and abroad including ‘Rangefinder’, ‘Professional Image Maker’ and ‘Digital Photographer’.
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of training he joined several amateur camera societies to gain knowledge of basic techniques and composition, however, he really took off on his creative journey in 1982 when he was encouraged by limited success in national photographic competitions. Like most ‘amateurs’ he thought he knew more than he actually did and tried his hand at earning money from his hobby! It wasn’t until he was introduced to the SWPP that he found the real gulf between amateur and professional status. It was a rude awakening, however it focused his attention and he undertook professional
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training and qualifications through the SWPP. In 2008, he made his first trip to Malta to the MIPP annual convention and has been coming back ever since, becoming a Fellow in 2012. Tom’s photographic prowess has been in wedding and portrait photography with a healthy dose of commercial work, however chasing weddings does not have the same appeal as it used to and it is now probably a younger person’s game. He still does commercial commissions however, all his efforts are now concentrated on the fine art and portrait sectors. Recent professional involvement has seen him becoming a technical consultant for Reflecmedia Ltd; a company that manufactures chromakey equipment for the stills and video photographer. In 2013 Tom exhibited in London with his ‘Innocence Turned’
project.
Amongst
many
awards
and
distinctions, he is a Fellow of the SWPP and the MIPP.
entitled “Illusions of Reality”. Definitely not to be
We can all look forward to seeing Tom amongst us
missed!
this year when in April he will be exhibiting in Malta at Continental Cars with a fantastic Fine Art exhibition
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Kevin Casha
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PHOTOGRAPH BY DAPHNE CASSAR
PHOTOGRAPH BY EDWARD FARRUGIA
2016
Continental Cars Ltd.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY GUIDO BONETT WHITE-NECKED JACOBIN
PHOTOGRAPH BY GUIDO BONETT HUMMING BIRD - COSTA RICA
MIPP Meetings Kevin Casha delivering his lecture on India
Photojournalist Jason Florio during his presentation - ‘Odysseys in West Africa’
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Guido Bonett presenting the MIPP with two of his publicatiions
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Charles
Calleja
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MIPP RECOMMENDATIONS
YOUR VIEWS ARE MOST WELCOME
TO MEMBERS ON
As we keep reminding you from time to time, our members’ views are important to us and we welcome any editorial write-ups, letters, comments, suggestions or complaints which can be included in our Newsletter. The offer is always open for all our members, students and sponsors.
PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITIONS: 1 Members are advised not to participate or endorse (by way of name/association/ judging/sponsor or any other way) any photographic competition/contest/ exhibition that contains terms and conditions that are considered ‘unfair’ to the entrant. 2 A ‘Fair’ competition is deemed as one in which the entrant retains the copyright and respective moral right of the images submitted: the competition should be one that only requires the supply of a non-exclusive license, which will only be limited to the promotion and/or use of the specific competition. 3 Ideally, the non-exclusive license will be retained by the organizers for a specified and limited period and only winning images and/or finalists can be retained in a winners’ archive for competition/ promotional purposes only. 4 Members are advised not to support such unfair competitions by entering or endorsing them particularly when such competitions are deemed to be mainly interested in the organizers’ financial gain or the unfair use of submitted images. 5 It is advisable that even some genuine looking bonafide competitions and/ or initiatives organized for apparently charitable purposes are still to be carefully studied before members submit work. 6 We would also like to further invite all our members that if they have any queries about entering a competition or not, they can contact us for clarification on info@mipp-malta.com.
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Feedback is very important when running an organization such as ours so do take a bit of time to give us an insight into what is in our members’ minds.
PROCEDURE: Should members need to clarify some situation or other, they have to first of all officially write out their complaint and address it to the “Mipp Committee”, PO Box 8, Birkirkara, BKR 1000. The member should stick to proven facts and also indicate whether he would like to discuss matters with the Committee. Complaints by word of mouth, proxy or hearsay WILL NOT be entertained. The Committee will then study the particular query and, if need be, invite the complainant to attend a subsequent Committee Meeting. Please be prepared to substantiate matters with concrete proof.
March /2018
CALENDAR March
MIPP MEMBERS’
May
NO MEETING Tuesday 20th March | 19:30
March /2018
MIPP MEMBERS’
INFORMAL MEETING:
FILM FORUM:
March /2018
MIPP MEMBERS’
DUFFY - THE MAN WHO SHOT THE SIXTIES HOW DO I DEVELOP MY OWN STYLE? IS ART THE SOLUTION - REZA DEGHATI Tuesday 27th March | 19:30
MEETING:
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
Annual General Meeting
April /2018
Tuesday 6th March | 19:30 MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
March /2018
MIPP MEMBERS’
INFORMAL MEETING NETWORKING
Drop in to informally network or ask questions on your work Tuesday 13th March | 19:30 MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
MIPP MEMBERS’ MEETING: THE LURE OF THE RAIN FOREST by GUIDO BONETT Tuesday 3rd April | 19:30 MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola Check MIPP Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/mippwall/
or visit our website http://mipp-malta.com/conventions/events/mipp-events/
For more updates and schedules.
March /2018
Photo visit to Delicata Winery and wine tasting 9.45am – 12am Meet at Delicata Winery, Paola waterfront at 9.45am - Fee for wine/nibbles: €15; strictly by booking on COURSES@MIPP-MALTA.COM Deadline: 1st March. The attendees shall be asked to sign a declaration which states that before publishing any photos, they should get authorisation from the company directors. Saturday 17th March | 9.45 am - Paola waterfront
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May /2018
CALENDAR April
MIPP MEMBERS’
May April /2018
INFORMAL MEETING NETWORKING
MIPP MEMBERS’
Drop in to informally network or ask questions on your work
MEETING: PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHIC
Tuesday 1st May | 19:30 MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
PRESENTATIONS P.1 by THERESE DEBONO. Tuesday 10th April | 19:30 MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
April /2018
MIPP MEMBERS’ MEETING: PRODUCING PHOTOGRAPHIC
May /2018
ONE DAY WORKSHOP GETTING TO GRIPS WITH LIGHTROOM by MARTIN AGIUS
PRESENTATIONS P.1 by THERESE DEBONO
by booking on COURSES@MIPP-MALTA.COM Coffee/tea/light snack included - 50 eur for members 80 for non members
Tuesday 17th April | 19:30
Saturday 5th May | 9:30am - 16:00pm
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
April /2018
May /2018
MIPP MEMBERS’
MIPP MEMBERS’
MEETING:
MEETING:
PREPARING A SUCCESSFUL
FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY
QUALIFICATION PANEL
- MY WAY
by KEITH ELLUL & DUNCAN CAUCHI
by KEITH DARMANIN
Tuesday 24th April| 19:30
Tuesday 8th May | 19:30
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
May /2018
May /2018
MIPP MEMBERS’ MEETING: PTYA ASSESSMENTS – SESSIONS 1 & 2
Closing Date for MIPP Qualification applications
Tuesday 15th May | 19:30
Tuesday 30th May | 19:30
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
MIPP, Britannia Street, Paola
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Membership Renewal = =
We would like to remind you that we are now accepting payments for 2017 membership renewals. By renewing the €40 fee (from 2016 it is €40 even for those that have been members for 5 or more years), you will have a chance to
Become a qualified photographer with our three levels of qualification: Licentiate, Associate and Fellowship
Reciprocal photographic qualification with the best UK Institution
Get reduced rates to our courses and workshops
Informative monthly lectures and newsletters
Exclusive photographic competitions ONLY for MIPP members and much more
OR
One may pay by either sending in a cheque to: “27, Moonlight, Giovanni Papaffy Street, Ta’ Paris, Birkirkara, BKR 4021, Malta”, together with the relative membership fee.
(Cheques are to be made payable to “The Treasurer, MIPP”)
Pay directly from the BOV website: www.bov.com and log in to BOV internet banking with your Securekey.
OR When attending an MIPP Event.
Notice: MEMBERS’ EMAIL UPDATES: Should you not be receiving regular email updates and communications from the MIPP, kindly check and inform us asap if you have changed your email.
BENEFIT FULLY FROM YOUR MIPP MEMBERSHIP
DOWNLOAD THE HANDBOOK http://mipp-malta.com/wp-content/uploads/MIPP-Members-Handbook-2018.pdf
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THE MIPP SPONSORS Non-Profit organizations like the Malta Institute of Professional Photography are constantly in need of funds in order to be able to function in a modern and professional environment. That is why it is important to have various sponsors interested in networking with the MIPP and at the same time involving them in important issues concerning the photographic trade. The MIPP feels it is vital to stimulate joint events and initiatives together with our sponsors. This policy helps our members to be constantly aware of products and services that our sponsors market thus not only encouraging an increase in business but also benefitting our members through special occasional offers and deals. This co-operation and belief by our sponsors, most of who have been with us since the MIPP’s inception, has helped in no small way in making the Institute what it is today. It is one of the MIPP’s main objectives to help keep this co-operation improving. We urge our members to truly support our sponsors by making use of their services and products whenever possible. The main sponsors of MIPP are AVANTECH (CANON); ILAB Photo and INTERVISIONS (PHOTO INK). Our sponsors show faith in the MIPP so it is only fair that our members should reciprocate. Give your custom to the companies and entities who help us.
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CONTACTS Web: www.mipp-malta.com Email: president@mipp-malta.com Address: 27, Moonlight, Giovanni Papaffy Street, Ta’ Paris, Birkirkara, BKR 4021, Malta Tel No: 21486097
2018 MAR/ APR