MIPP September 2014 Issue

The Official MIPP Newsletter

September 2014

FOCALPOINT

Issue No. 43

www.mipp-malta.com

EDITORIAL

Assistant Editor Kerstin Arnemann

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will start this post by saying “Wow!” to all those PTYA participants with their entry in the last edition with the theme of the colour ‘Blue’. When I received the images I was so impressed that I decided to post as many photos as possible to show off your talents! Well done dear PTYA participants, and keep it up girls, this year the competition is fierce with two top photographers Romana Wyllie and Kerstin Arnemann dominating the first two places, closely followed by Stefan Cachia. I look forward to see who the winner will be!

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!

We are also introducing a new page in our newsletter titled ‘Secret Photographer’.

We realised that not all of you like to have their name shown when submitting images for our newsletter so this page is

Newsletter Team

dedicated d di d to those shy photographers out there! Contribute to this page and we will surely feature you!

Last but not least, I hope you enjoy and visit the events happening around the islands which Kerstin kindly collated!

Whatever you do, have fun!

Find us on: Therese & Kerstin!

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

SEPTEMBER 2014 pg 2 pg 4 pg 16 pg 18 pg 26 pg 34 pg 38 pg 42 pg 45 pg 47 pg 49 pg 50 pg 51 cover artist

President’s viewpoint Featured MIPP member Upcoming Event Travel Feature Member’s Article Out & About Past Event Past Event Meet the Speakers Monthly Talk Secret Photographer Calendar of Events Members’ Gallery

CONTENTS MIPP’s Forthcoming November Convention Shooting with the Soul - Renata Apanaviciene MIPP Gozo Weekend Seminar 2014 Alaska - The Last Frontier Why Pre Wedding Shoots September Events DSLR Video for Photographers Event World Photography Day Event Stuart Wood at the November Convention Domenic Aquilina St Helen Feast!

Mark your Diaries!

PTYA Standings

Marika Mallia Scerri Name: “I’ve come to conquer the world... kneel down & bow before me, you earthling!”

Caption: “This photo is actually of a subterranean set of caves and lakes in Guilin, China – rotated 90 degrees clockwise. It was a very long and winding way to get there... but totally worth the effort!

Initially, I really loved the way the blue artificial light is reflected off the jagged surfaces. But once rotated and the H.G. Gieger like monster/alien emerged, the blue artificial light helped in shrouding it in mystery.

In my opinion, the blue tones further enhance the ‘out-of-this-world’ feeling I think it should convey.”

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The MIPP’s Forthcoming International Kevin Casha Convention For the first time, our regular and much anticipated

international convention will, this year, be held in November – namely between the 14th, 15th and 16th of November. We decided to move this event a bit back as, from members’ feedback, the preference and availability of participants is more towards this later month.

The convention, again being done in collaboration with the Societies of Great Britain, promises to again bring you a full weekend of photographic knowledge, tuition and enjoyment as well as encourage networking, not only with our foreign guests and lecturers, but also between members and participants. The seriousness and organization which go into such events is substantial, and this year, Charles Calleja is again entrusted with organizing and preparing this convention. He has also the help of members Sergio Morana and Trevor Sollars, who have both kindly accepted to work towards making this event as valid as they can.

As usual, one of the convention’s main attractions and best attended sessions is the MIPP Qualification judging.

This year will be no exception, with a fine group of members already busily preparing their submissions. We do look forward to having these panels grace our Qualification evening. Amongst other personalities and tutors, this year’s main guest and lecturer will be Stuart Wood (www.stuart-wood.com and www.stuartwoodweddings.com). Based in Derby, United Kingdom, Stuart is a very successful photographer and, as today’s photographic world dictates, a great all rounder. He is experienced in teaching and his many awards testify to the quality and standards of his work. His main genres of photography are people and lifestyle, where his ability to easily and quickly connect with people makes him successful in getting his subjects to relax and enjoy their contact with Stuart - thus ensuring great images. Stuart’s visit to Malta and his

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Viewpoint

participation in the convention is only possible through the kind help and sponsorship of the Societies’ directors, Juliet and Phil Jones, who will also be with us during the event. We also have a very fresh young photographer, just back from her studies in UK, the very talented Stephanie S. Sciberras, whose work revolves around concept and message.

Further details and programme will soon be announced but I strongly recommend that you block these dates so that you can benefit from what promises to be a veritable feast of all that is expected from an event of this standard.

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SHOOTING WITH THE SOUL

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featured member

Renata Apanaviciene’s spoke to us about how she started from analogue photography with her father, onto the digital era. She talks passionately about her favourite genres and above all how she wants to shoot with the soul, her soul...

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began my apprenticeship in Photography when I was a kid and I think that these first steps into the photography world are maybe the most important. Even now, I can remember the hours spent with my father in the darkroom processing negatives and waiting for what would emerge on silver emulsion and then on to print. Afterwards, colour photos became the novelty that was so interesting to me.

Later, when I turned 15, I received the best gift for my birthday – a small camera. It was simple and cheap, but at least it did its job. Photos of course were of everyday themes – school, portraits of my friends, my family, the city, the village. I shot in B&W and printed photos myself in my room. I have always been interested in photographic art and in the work of Lithuanian photographers (we have a highly regarded and well-established school of photography especially in B&W). I carefully studied all of my dad’s notes and photo books.

Move forward more than 25 years. My relationship with photography continues but from a simple hobby, it has now become my main occupation and deepest passion! And of course, now I have more tools in the digital darkroom. After 13 years working as a HR manager, I left my job in an international company and opened a new book (not page!). I am finding it so interesting and colourful; so full of new challenges, knowledge, interesting people, different experiences and different faces.

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I started re-learning photography through a number of courses in Lithuania, studying online and found great satisfaction in studying the art with some well-known and professional photographers here in Malta. It was a good step up in learning outside my comfort zone and outside Lithuania, experimenting and practicing under different conditions (low light, studio light, posing, work with models, night shooting, etc.), even while practising a different language. After a few years’ work, study and private tuition I can only speak highly of them and I am sure that what I received was their best experience and knowledge.

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For several years I approached various Photography Associations outside Lithuania, and have participated in photo contests, received awards, and I have held a number of exhibitions. Now I’m a member of MIPP and plan to go for the next level. It is a great experience! And even more so, a great challenge!

Genres It is common, popular and maybe easier and more practical to choose one kind, one genre of photography and work on it. If you ask what kind of photography I like, I can’t answer in one word, because for one I’m sure – I can’t stay only in a studio. Yet I wouldn’t call myself a street photographer, just because I like everything that is beautiful and interesting. I like to talk with the people in the street and I am always on the lookout for something eye-catching and special, even simple emotion, so that makes candid portraiture one of my favourites too.

I discover so many beautiful places when I’m travelling and try not to take just any photo, but to find a different viewpoint/angle.

I have fallen in love with events photography (my favourite being fireworks). I enjoy architectural photography too although to me, small details are much more interesting (angles, lines, shapes, curves, colours, contrast, etc). I like classical portraiture. And I love B&W. Every one of these genres needs specific knowledge. A photographer has to be open minded, be creative, needs to pay attention, have patience and of course – passion! I’m curious about the world around me and photography helps me satisfy it, because every genre for me is an interesting challenge, a further step, a higher level. On the other hand, all is inter-related – travelling abroad I do not only photograph famous places, but work the street as a “hunter” - trying to be at a place at the right time with the right light, etc., practicing with the light conditions, composition, camera settings (even if it is the most boring stuff ), looking for interesting shadows, curves, colours or trying to find the best place for a model in order to realize my concept and to show the best side of her/him.

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Currently, I am mostly concentrating on portraits and my goal is to produce real portraiture photography. I do not mean a simple portrait of a model – after all, it is not very difficult to take pictures of a good looking model – but it is not easy to take photos which have soul and communicate a story. I’m working on it. And I like it!

My least favourite genre of photography - one I know that never goes too deeply - is nature/landscape photography (I shoot these photos only for commercial reasons).

I just haven’t all that patience.

Nowadays I am privileged to be a photographer who has time for photography, is able to travel and work in different countries, carry a good camera and shoot what I want and like.

Street photography I like its reality, I like ‘the moment’, I like the factual and I want to freeze these moments, that is why I practice Street Photography. My understanding of street photography and my general knowledge grow in parallel. For me street photography is a good opportunity for training my eyes and in the end – reach good results – with good photos. It’s like the “primary school” of how you see. Instead of a picture of reality, photography allows me to reach a new level of cognition of everything.

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A lot of moments and motives which we normally don’t see or haven’t time for, now become visible. I don’t photograph everything I see, but feel everything that I photograph. That’s the most important thing for me – to feel what you are capturing, to have a story even in a frozen moment. If you are lucky, at the right time, and with the right light – you can catch moments which will never happen in this way again. To photograph is not just to press the trigger and it includes more than the act of different angles, meeting new people, talking with them in the street, and most importantly having time and patience to wait for the right moment.

Street photography for me is like social studies. I enjoy being there, so I’m never rushing, and my goal is not just to take a snapshot of some famous touristy place and run to another point.

Typically I stay longer in one place and explore it thoroughly, trying to contact people, looking for the best place, the right light and a right moment.

And when I’m travelling, I know that I’m not a tourist, I’m a traveller, or at the very least, a photographer from overseas.

I have come a long way from the early days when I was travelling with one small camera, some film rolls and took about 200 photos in all (out of which only a few were good of course ). This

has seen some changes - nowadays my bag is much bigger and heavier with all requirements I can need and sometimes I take more than 2000 images. Even if only some of them are good, telling a story, have a smell, colour, have emotion and I like them, it means I reached my main goal. The strictest judge being myself, every picture can be interpreted differently by others. I am not afraid of comments, critique, recommendations as some of them are useful good tips for the future. Others are sometimes confusing. Anyway my intention is to shoot to the best of my ability and not to think too much about any eventual comments. But honestly every feedback is very valuable to me and it helps me grow better.

Events One of my favourite genres is event photography, mostly of fireworks, but even music and dance festivals too. It’s a big challenge, because you have to be confident with your camera (right settings) and of course – be at the right place and use the available light well. Another reason why I like these projects, is that not only is it a good way for improving the technical side of things, but it is a good opportunity to meet interesting people, to encounter colleagues, and to share information.

My fireworks photography nowadays is a bit different compared to when I started few years ago. I never cease to

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be amazed at this colourful rain of light or colourful flowers in the sky, but most importantly now, I admire those people who create this light show despite the fact that it is very dangerous…So for the last year my main intention was not only to take photos of the amazing light performances, but to meet these people, to tell by my photos how they work, and who they are, because usually we only see fireworks, but not people…And thanks to my Maltese colleagues I’m very proud of my latest project taking pictures with workers, moments when they prepare for the fireworks show and the grand finale fireworks show!... This project is still a work in

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progress, but eventually it will be a great photo essay about those people even if it is just not possible to enter some places and capture particular moments of the entire process. Except for the obvious right settings when taking shots of fireworks, the most important tip is to find the right place, in other words – to be careful about wind direction. If you understand wind – you will reach your main goal, that is, taking good fireworks pictures!

Portraits As already mentioned, portraiture is another of my favourite genre. Why portraiture? Initially, when looking at works of other photographers, portraits attracted me the most. Secondly it always pushes me to improve my skills starting from the deceptively simple idea to show a person in some mood or other, thinking through some creative ideas , continuing with the right settings - exposure, correct lighting and finally composition. It gives me great satisfaction when a project is done.

Before taking pictures with the person (or more people) I prepare well in advance, looking for ideas, looking at that person with whom I am working, looking for composition and lighting. Of course every time you have to be prepared for situations when your model is not ready for the session, nervous in front of the camera, not talkative etc, so here you have to be not only a photographer, but a good psychologist , an artist too, even sometimes a good joker. Of course it is important that your client or model feels uninhibited in front of the camera so sometimes it happens that you are talking with the person a lot, ensuring that he/ she is not afraid during the entire photo process. In this situation you should be careful not to talk more than shoot and lose THE moment. Since my job primarily is to shoot not to talk, I try to do that job as well as I can.

Other considerations – in taking landscape photos, you don’t need any company, just wait, concentrate and that’s all… With portraiture it’s different – here two people are working. It’s like a duet between the participating photographer and the person/client/model. Of course in this action more things are involved – light, composition, ideas, place, moods, final shoot, editing, but at the very minimum, we are talking about TWO. So nowadays when calculating the time needed, I try to reach the best result by showing people emotions and for that sometimes we need more time and for that sometimes for me is not important if he/she looking to camera or not, her/his hand is in right position or not, because in that moment for me it is important to take the picture of a real person with real emotions. Most

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important for me is that a photo stops you in your tracks. Portrait photography for me is where every detail says something special, something very personal. This is why I still study this genre intensively.

After every photoshoot I spend a lot of time with the photos – I have to choose the best, then to find the best way for editing (B&W, shadows, contrast, etc.) and I like this process too! I’m constantly discovering something new, something that is special for me and every time I still learn something. And moreover – when taking photos, I never compete with other photographers because my biggest wish is to do better than what I myself did previously.

For me all photography is a passion, a way of life and not a job or something that I simply do for a living…I’m enjoying doing it as part of my life. This is why sometimes I can shoot just for free or with a little budget. I’m happy with my life in photography so far and more money wouldn’t make me happier, although I’m sure that my photos would not necessarily become better with more money in my pocket…

But …I can’t lose certain moments in the street, an old man sitting, a woman dreaming, I can’t lose kids’ eyes, a hard working person, a girl running on the beach, that lovely couple, colourful rain in the sky or the ‘oh so special’ moments in the studio working with various people - trying to show a full range of emotions (happiness, sadness, dreaming, sometimes anger, enjoying life, love, romantic mood, etc.)

Because in my opinion life, is not about money, it’s about happiness, dreams, friendship, patience, love, and all that makes for good photos… And moreover – I’m sure that a good photo has nothing to do with an expensive camera or manual settings. A good photo has soul. And that is something you cannot see, something you cannot buy, something you cannot touch, something you cannot learn. I want to shoot photos with my soul.

Article and images by Renata Apanaviciene

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the EOS 5D Mark lll joins the rental family! ... now available for rent.

for full details and conditions visit www.avantech.com.mt or call on 2148 88 00 Avantech Building St Julian’s Road San Gwann SGN 2805

MIPP Gozo Weekend Workshop 2014 Once again the time has come for the Malta Institute of Professional Photography, MIPP to visit our sister island Gozo.

This year the MIPP has prepared an eventful weekend featuring talks, workshops and challenges to suit all photographers alike. This event is characterized by the informal and friendly atmosphere and the great opportunity to socialize and network together.

Workshops will be conducted by Kevin Casha, Ramon Sammut and Ramon Curmi. Prices have been kept at cost as the main aim of this event is to encourage as many as possible to participate. Various ticket options are available and friends and family are most welcome.

PROGRAMME Saturday 11th October 07.30 – 08.15 - Meet at Cirkewwa 08.15 – 08.40 – Gozo Ferry Boat trip 09.00 – 09.45 – Settling down at Tal-Fanal Apartments 09.45 – 10.30 – Coffee Break 10.30 – 12.30 - Gozo location workshop organized by Ramon Curmi 12.30 – 14.00 – Light Lunch and networking time – at apartments (inc in ticket) 14.00 – 16.00 - LED and natural light Model workshop by Kevin Casha 16:00 – 17:30 - Black & White Theory and Photoshop by Ramon Sammut.

20.00 – Late – BBQ Dinner – at apartments (included in ticket) Sunday 12th October 06:00 – 09:00 - Workshop (optional) – Sunrise photo shoot 10.00 – 12.00 - Workshop – Street Photography by Martin Agius 12:30 – 14:00 – Lunch at apartments – Gozitan Pizza (included in ticket) 14:00 – 16:00 - Post Production work and assessment from previous workshops by Ramon Sammut, Kevin Casha 16.30 onwards – Departure back to Malta.

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Alaska - The Last Frontier Sandra Hotrum, is a Maltese livng in Canada MIPP Member who is currently preparing for her Licentiate Panel. Here she shares her experience in her trip to Alaska with her husband!

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t was not an easy task to persuade my husband to go to Alaska when it is golf season. Nevertheless, one cannot visit Alaska if not in the summer months. We heard it from the horses’ mouth that Alaskans, whenever they can, escape for a few weeks or months, their long and dark winters.

We started our journey in Anchorage, the starting place of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race which takes place every March. This annual clash of the canines pushes mushers and dog teams through the roughest, most beautiful terrain Mother Nature has to offer. It’s 1,049 miles of pure adrenaline, and it all begins in Anchorage and ends in Nome. During the gold rush era, the Iditarod National Historic Trail was a supply route to mining camps, trading posts and remote bush areas. Mushers carried out most of the $30 million in gold mined in the interior and northwestern Alaska. Part of the trail became a lifeline in 1925 when a diphtheria epidemic hit Nome. Twenty mushers and their dogs rushed through subzero conditions to deliver serum that saved many lives in the isolated coastal village. Now, the race is an international event. We had the opportunity of visitingan Iditarod champion Jeff King who opens up his kennel so visitors can meet some of the world’s finest sled dogs and their puppies.

We travelled to Denali National Park by train. It was great to be able to be on the open-air platforms, clicking away and admiring the unique views. Denali National Park & Preserve offers some of the most spectacular scenery and recreational opportunities. With some planning, one can fish, view wildlife, hike and bike the

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travel feature

Above: Glacier Bay National Park

trails. We only saw a tiny fraction of it. This 6 million acre park is home to Mount McKinley, the nation’s highest peak. The preserve is also home to tundra at middle elevations, and glaciers, rock, and snow at the highest elevations. The first 24 kms of the road are available to private vehicles. Beyond this point, visitors must access the interior of the park through concessionary buses.Denali is home to a variety of Alaskan birds and mammals. We saw two grizzly bears, caribou roaming throughout the park, Dall sheep on mountainsides, and moose feed on the aquatic plants of the small lakes and swamps.

One of the many highlights of this trip was learning about the hardships, challenges and obstacles a homesteader faced in Alaska. We met a three generational family

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who told us their stories. The Homestead Act allowed one homestead of 160 acres maximum for each family to stake claim in. Homesteaders were then required to live on the land, have a residence built on the land, and begin farming a minimum of 10% of the land within the first five years to receive legal ownership. Now try to imagine what it was like living in Alaska during the late 1800’s into the mid 1900’s when the United Stated first purchased Alaska and homesteaders began claiming the land.

While building a home was not always an easy task, homesteaders in Alaska managed to make their living quarters suitable for long cold wintery months with

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Above: Water reflection of Sitka spruce & glacier mountains

temperatures reaching minus 60 degrees Celsius. With limited resources available to homesteader’s and the lack of transportation, building equipment, machinery, they often relied on the help from neighbours for these items. Getting help from a neighbour was hard to do when you had to travel by horseback and travel some 15 miles or more to reach the closest neighbours’ house or cabin.Cultivating the land was another challenge.

Our next stop was Wrangell-St. Elias National Park which is home to more glaciers and 16,000 foot plus peaks.

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The second part of the trip consisted of cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage. One rainy afternoon we rafted on the Tsirku River in search of bald eagles and we found them. I was torn between keeping the camera tucked away and dry or taking pictures. Naturally, I couldn’t help snapping away a few pictures since we counted 32 bald eagles sitting on logs or perched on trees. For about five minutes, all you could hear was ooooohhhh’s and aaaaaahhh’s and the sound of shutters clicking! The scenery was awesome as we floated down the Tsirku River heading for the Chilkat River. The Tsirku River isn’t very deep and our raft scraped along the bottom from time to time.

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Above: Caribou in Denali National Park

In Skagway, we took the scenic train to the White Pass & Yukon Route. This narrow gauge railroad was built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush.Tens of thousands of men and 450 tons of explosives overcame harsh climate and challenging geography to create the “railway built of gold�.

No trip to Alaska is complete without trying your luck in salmon fishing and for us it turned out to be an exciting morning, catching five chinook salmon in less than four hours.

Article and Images by Sandra Hotrum

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Above: My first catch of the day; a chinook salmon

Above: Sun setting in Wrangell-St.Elias National Park

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Why Pre Wedding Shoots In this article Therese Debono gives some insights into pre wedding photography. Laughs and fun are part of the deal!

Read on!

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member’s article

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The first time I shot a wedding, was not a full blown wedding, but a pre wedding

shoot, which the main photographer in question did not want to take up. I am not a super romantic being, however I find the pre wedding shoots to be a good way of breaking the ice with the couple and also to practice the poses which best suit them.

I somehow always look forward to these shoots. First of all meeting the couple in an informal set up is always less stressful, and you get sweeter smiles and more candid shots. I like to meet my clients in the outdoors sometime in the early evening depending on the season. In summer I do not meet them before six in the evening, and in winter it will be round three in the afternoon. We always discuss clothing and props (if any) beforehand, however I never stress too much on what they should wear since I simply want them to be comfortable. They have ample time to be tight in their wedding attire later. I also like to hear their story, how they met, who said what, who proposed, these details might not be important for the images, but the play of facial expressions is always fun to capture!

What I try to get from a pre wedding shoot is the confidence out of the couple that they look good when photographed, so that they have less to worry about on the day. Some people are totally uncomfortable in front of the camera, maybe

because they are not happy with their front teeth or maybe their nose is crooked (like mine!). Whatever it is, as a photographer one has to be human and try and understand their concern. Do not try to downplay their concerns, simply stir clear from their worries and discuss other things. Do not point out even more their flaws, by discussing their concerns at length. What I usually do is listen to their woes, and then whilst shooting I adjust my angle to downplay their flaw and bring out their best features. This helps the person in question realise that their face is not all about their teeth for e.g. but their eyes are so striking that they forget all about their front teeth. Here the photographer’s ability to downplay the flaws and focus on the good parts comes into play so listen then bring out their best!

I also rarely if ever give them stiff directions as to how they should keep their head for e.g. If anything I move around them till I get the right shot. In some cases it is fine to tell the bride to be to tilt her head onto her spouse’s chest, and I show them the photos I would have snapped so that they can see how the images work. Giving too many directions will only confuse the couple and make them worry that they are not good looking enough. What you surely do not want on the wedding day is a bride telling you she does not like her teeth or her hairdo and make-up! What I aim for during a pre wedding is a fun session where we chat and shoot and try different natural poses and also sometimes play around with props and most importantly the engagement ring.

Another point to keep in mind is that not all couples are the same. I get fun couples, and also serious ones including shy ones. So I treat each couple differently and never use the same props or style of shooting for all couples. That is why it is important in my opinion to meet the couple before their big day. You get to suss out what makes them smile, what irks them (so you avoid it) and also they get used to your way of talking and get comfortable enough with you, so that on the day they are confident and as natural as possible in front of the camera.

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Above all pre weddings are all about portraits. More often than not the bride to be would come along with the trial of the wedding make up done up. This I find to be really important. The bride will surely be curious to know how she will look all done up on photos. It is one thing having your make up done and looking at the mirror and totally another thing seeing yourself in pictures with a full blown made up face. Flaws like caked foundation come out really clearly in images, so it’s either you diminish the foundation or change make-up artist. Softening the face in post processing is not done in my opinion. You would only be showing an ideal version of the couple, and I find it is important to show the bride how her make-up really looks like.

More importantly though is that you make sure that the couple are having fun during these shoots. I sometimes meet couples were the guy is a bit annoyed for having been dragged to have a photo session. You have to show him with your work that it was worth his while, driving to the other side of the island and carrying his fiancÊe’s outfits!

Guiding males is totally different. If you see that the groom is shy (more often than not they hide shyness with aloofness), do not force him to kiss the bride-to-be immediately. I leave the kissing shots till the very end, when the couple would have

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warmed up and got confident enough to kiss in front of me. If the guy ain’t shy then do not hesitate to ask him to lift his bride to be.

Usually you get some lovely natural shots this way and also genuine laughs which show the real character of the couple in front of you.

And last but not least, do discuss the wedding day with them once the shoot is over. Do be positive and show them your confidence in the job they entrusted you with. I find that being honest and positive only helps the couple feel relaxed and you yourself will be happy to capture their big day a little bit more confident that your couple looks great on camera!

Images and article by Therese Debono www.theresedebono.com

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OUT AND ABOUT

August 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!

THE SCIENTIST Venue: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, Valletta Dates: 16th September - 26th September The Watercolour Art Malta Group was set up by Miriam Borg whose intention was to bring together watercolour artists who are connected in some way through their work or personally to Malta. This group consists of approximately 320 self-taught and/or fine arts professionals, of all ages. A group of 15 Watercolour Art Malta members will show a number of original Watercolour paintings in a collective exhibition called Washes.

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VIVA Valletta International Visual Arts Festival Venue: St James Cavalier, Valletta Dates: 1st - 7th September Website: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/event-details/2014-09/viva-valletta-international-visual-arts-festival-7683 VIVA - the Valletta International Visual Arts Festival, is being organised for the first time between the 1st and 7th September 2014.

VIVA aims to create a unique platform for contemporary art in Malta and to initiate a process of change in the local cultural scene. It aims to internationalise the visual arts scene in Malta by creating new artistic networks that bring together international and local curators and artists of different generations.

VIVA also aims to create situations where these new networks last beyond the festival itself; for example, it will bring to Malta a number of curators-in-residence who will meet local artists and propose ideas for exhibitions in 2015.

VIVA is being co-organised by St. James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Arts Council Malta, the Valletta 2018 Foundation and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.

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from my legendary “GODWIN DESSIN the unfinished monograph” published 2013

GUAPOTHEOSIS Venue: art..e gallery, 1 Library Street, Victoria Gozo.

Dates: 13th September to 10th October 2014 Website: http://www.visitmalta.com/en/event-details/2014-09/viva-valletta-international-visual-arts-festival-7683 GUAPOTHEOSIS (guapo from spanish meaning “attractive”) is an exhibition of works by Godwin Cutajar.

The exhibition comprises self-portraits glorifying egodwin in the garden of eden and including the painting “the force or divorce of george luna scic and godwin lunatic”.

The Gallery is open from Monday to Saturday 9:30am - 12.15pm, Sunday 10:00am 12.00pm or by appointment mob: 99804774.

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SCIENCE IN THE CITY Date: 26th September: 6pm till midnight Science in the City is back again this September from 6pm till midnight. We are bringing science, art installations, dance, theatre, experiments and much more to Valletta throughout Republic Street from City Gate to St. George’s Square — expect more than ever before! http://www.di-ve.com/news/science-city-presents-full-programme

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DSLR VIDEO FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER Today’s photographer needs to be ever more versatile as the dividing lines be-

tween photography and other mediums, such as design, post processing and video are increasingly becoming more blurred. For this purpose, the MIPP organized its first course which aimed to empower photographers to utilize and exploit the video function in their SLRs, both for creative as well as commercial purposes.

The course was expertly run by Mr Ian Attard, who is a full time lecturer in Media at the MCAST Institute of Art and Design. The course was held at the Le Meridien Hotel, in St Julian’s. During this short, but intense, introductory course, the participants were introduced to the concept of producing video with Digital SLR cameras, digital software editing programmes and the production of Cinemagraphs was also covered. A practical workshop formed also an integral part of the course

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with Model Charlene Gatt being filmed so that participants could get a ‘hands on’ feel of the ins and outs of video production.

Course director Kevin Casha explained that ‘The MIPP is always at the forefront of modern technology and trends. We keep a constant eye on how to improve the tools and knowledge which our members can work with. This was a case in point and our strategy is to continue providing our members with future similar opportunities of widening their skills.’

Article by Kevin Casha Photos by Martin Agius

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Above: Mr Ian Attard during the course

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WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY EVENT A little history was done when, for the first time, the two main photographic

groups in Malta collaborated together in an event commemorating World Photography Day. What better way to celebrate this day than with a bonanza of photographic opportunities for not only all members, but for the general public as well? The idea to choose the Upper Barrakka in Valletta as the venue for the event worked perfectly – the place has various photogenic locations spaced far enough from each other so as to allow participants to work in small groups without getting into each other’s way.

The event, which started with a short address and briefing by the two group Presidents, Louis Agius of the Malta Photographic Society and Kevin Casha of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography, was characterized by a friendly atmosphere. Newcomers could observe and work with seasoned photographers. The programme included Model and fashion photography, Martial Arts and dancing groups from such disciplines as contemporary, belly dancing and flamenco dancers as well as instructive workshops on location flash photography. The event’s main aims were to get photographers from all levels to mix and network together whilst also raise public awareness of the large and active photographic community. These aims were well achieved and future collaboration between the two entities is very much on the cards.

Article by Kevin Casha & Images by Duncan Cauchi

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MEET THE SPEAKERS The Annual Convention is coming up in a couple of months, 14, 15 & 16th November to be exact. We have a programme packed with activities and lectures. Meet Stuart Wood, one of the foreign lecturers visiting our shores just for our convention!

S

tuart Wood’s work is varied, but his specialties are people and lifestyle, where his ability to easily and quickly connect with people mean that he is especially successful in getting his subjects to open up and bringing more out of them.

Apart from regular commissions for his TV and magazine clients such as the BBC, ITV, Radio Times and Grazia, a lot of his assignments are in corporate portraiture, book commissions and annual reports. Again, this is an area where he feels his open and relaxed style helps his business subjects feel at ease.

Being based in Derby is an advantage as he can easily get to most places in the UK, with much of his work being in London www.stuart-wood.com www.stuartwoodweddings.com

MONTHLY TALK TACKLING MEDIA & JOURNALISTIC PHOTOGRAPHY THE PROFESSIONAL WAY Join us at Le Meridien on 23rd Septembers at 19:3hrs for an interesting and informative talk with Dominic Aqulina who is now a veteran in this photographic genre.

Domenic will talk about how to get the right photos to the media and a general know how of how to do it from the moment of the capture to the release of the photo to the media source/s concerned.

He will also explore how to tackle various sports disciplines and how to get the best possible capture for the media.

Images by Dominic Aquilina

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Secret Photographer We got a few pictures out of an anonymous member from the recent feast of St.Helen in B’Kara!

Opposite: Festa Bandsman This page Above L: Festa Empty Street; Above R: Festa Doorway Below L: Festa Contrast

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CALENDAR 16th September International Online Judging 19:30hrs, Le Meridien

23rd September Tackling Media & Journalistic Photography

19:30hrs, Le Meridien

7th October PTYA Judging Session 19:30hrs, Le Meridien

11-12th October MIPP Gozo Weekend

TBC

14, 15, 16th November MIPP International Convention TBC

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Photographer of the Year Award Standings

Into the sky - Kerstin Arneman

MEMBERS’ GALLERY

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Misty Blue - David Sammut

Opposite: Kahla - Simon Attard

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Butterfly Butterfly - Romana Wyllie

Blue Glass - Mario Micallef

Butterfly - Simon Attard

Marbles - Stefan Cachia

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