photocomment
MARCH 2009 RSA R19.95
contents MARCH 2009
Editors Letter Readers Letters We want to hear from you magazine@photocomment.net
Scoop All about what is happening in the photographic world locally and internationally
Readers Portfolio Get your images published here. This months feature: Werner Strauss
Technique How to call your shots
Professional Portfolio More than just pictures. Find out about the motivational force behind Kevin Mark Pass
Student Portfolio If your portfolio is relevant, avant garde and inspirational we will publish it.
cover image Photographer : Kevin Mark Pass Model : Danielle Stylist : Izolina De Vasconcelos MakeUp : Desiree de Goede Taken with : D700, Nikon 24-70 2.8 F-stop: f/2.8 Exposure time: 1/50 sec. ISO speed: ISO-2500 Shot taken in doors with low light. Additional lighting for this image was from a standard 60 watt tungsten (regular wall fitting) bulb above the model's head. Camera was handheld and image shot as a JPEG with very little editing. Not only does this show off the D700's amazing low light ability but that you don't need much to get a top class shot.
KEVIN MARK PASS
elcome to
W
photographic news sites. Over
PhotoComment
the past year we tested cameras,
you a taste of what to expect not
Magazine, the realization of a
reviewed exhibitions and books
only in our first issue but also
longstanding dream to establish
and hopefully brought some
hint as to what our regular
a platform for the return to a
different insight to your regular
features will be. As you read on
beautiful art. With that aim in
thoughts on local photography.
you will note the undertone for
mind we have geared up to
On the whole though, our site
each feature but as this is also
launch the first issue of
has been predominantly
your magazine we encourage
PhotoComment Magazine on
technically based and that was
your feedback. Send us a mail
March 1st 2009. For those of
never the intention.
to editor@photocomment.net
you who have come across us
The inspiration for this
This preview edition will give
and share your thoughts. So without further ado,
through your interaction with
magazine was to step outside
the website,
the technical style that
welcome to the preview of
www.photocomment.net, you
photographic magazines,
South Africa's newest
may already know a little about
websites and forums advocate
photographic magazine,
us. For those of you who aren't
and return to an era of the
published online by
familiar with the site a brief
enjoyment of photography by
MyMag.co.za.
background history follows.
everyone without getting caught
PhotoComment the website was
up and perhaps confused by the
regards
launched in August 2007 as one
plethora of techno talk.
The Photocomment Team
of South Africa's first
Pleasant reading and best
WERNER STRAUSS
Tristan Hall
Wilhelmus Moller
This is an exciting time for me.
I'm the proud owner of some
The feel of this magazine is
I started PhotoComment nearly
empty dark boxes with holes at
provided by Candice Hall, our
one and a half years ago
one end, (cameras-for the
graphic designer who is soon to
because I love photography and
uninitiated) that seem to
be joined by Greg Wrench as
felt the need for a project that
sometimes copy and other times
not only graphic designer but
local photographers could take
distort reality by the strange
our audiovisual guru too. This
part in and call their own. For
natural fluke of light's effect on
team forms PhotoComment
the last year I have dreamt of
photo chemical or photoelectric
Media, a division of
the site evolving to offer a local
surfaces. I have been
PhotoComment that not only
magazine and now my dream is
photographically active for the
builds this magazine but offers
coming true. Some say I was
better part of 8 years and
various other design and media
born with a camera in my hand
studied at the TUT photography
services.
and certainly I have spent
school (Technikon Pretoria back
nearly every day since the age
in the day) My first venture into
Readers Letters
of 12 – when an aunt gave me
writing about photography was
my first camera – doing
an essay titled “Landscape
something photographically
photography and the
related. I hope that you'll enjoy
omnipresent threat of burger
this magazine and take interest
flipping” for an inspirational
in it, making it as much a part
lecturer at the photo school.
of your photographic
Thank you Harold! I haven't
experiences as it is a part of
looked back. We hope to
mine.
inspire, infuse, involve, and
We welcome feedback about what you think of PhotoComment Magazine. Your stories, experiences, questions, inspirations, are all welcome and can be sent to magazine@photocomment.net enter “Letters” as the subject. Each month we will publish some of your feedback and offer a prize for the letter of the month. So please read on, take a look through the rest of this preview edition and send us your thoughts.
Founder of PhotoComment and Assistant Editor.
Editor
ultimately change your life with this magazine.
Design Team
P
hotoComment aims to be the foremost
The topic on our agenda is fair and lively debate,
authority on the subject of the enjoyment and
compositional guidelines and optimal focus issues –
philosophy of photography in South Africa.
although relevant – will take a backseat to issues of
PhotoComment is a predominantly local magazine
artistry, quality and emotion. Sit back and read our
and we intend to make it yours by presenting it in a
preview. What are your thoughts and feelings? Do
unique South African manner. We welcome local
you have any suggestions? Why not change the
readers, students and professionals to submit their
world with what you have to say?
photographic portfolios, essays, letters and general
Take a bold step onto the podium of public
thoughts. We will also endeavor to bring you a taste
opinion. Leave your equipment woes behind and
of international work, movements and philosophies.
step into the realm of the beautiful art.
At PhotoComment we prescribe to a strict moral code of conduct to bring you the reader a family
Wilhelmus Moller – Editor
safe magazine, which welcomes submissions and healthy debate from students of photography, ardent amateur photographers and professionals. We promote and encourage a return to the enjoyment of photography. Gone are the days and gripes about pixels and bit depth. No more brand 'shoot outs' or post production discussions ad photography. Almost like a Sunday drive back in the days when petrol was one rand fifty cents per litre.
WERNER STRAUSS
infinitum. Instead a healthy return to pure
photocomment Features
Readers Portfolio This is your chance to get your images published. For each issue we (the editors assisted by a panel of industry leading photographers) will choose a reader's portfolio that inspires and celebrates the art and craft of photography best for that month. You stand a chance to win a prize from our advertisers should your portfolio be published. Include a self-portrait accompanied with a brief introduction of yourself, your style and your In our first issue we review Werner Strauss' portfolio and explore the inner reaches of his mind. What makes him tick? Why does he shoot the way that he does? Where is he from and where is he going? What influences have shaped him? Send us no more than 10 of your best images with your contact details to magazine@photocomment.net enter “Readers Portfolio” as the subject. Make sure the images are in JPEG format and no larger than 640x480 (or closest too), we will contact you for larger files if needed. Needless to say that the standard will be high and uncompromising so please put your best foot forward.
Student portfolio Students why not get a head start on your peers and send us your portfolio. If your portfolio is relevant, avant-garde and inspirational it will get published. Has photography changed your perception of life love and everything else? Write us a short essay of your photographic philosophy, style and technique accompanied by a self-portrait. We as well as our readers want to know who the person is that accompanies the images. Send us no more than 10 of your best images with your contact details to magazine@photocomment.net enter “Student Portfolio” as the subject. Make sure the images are in JPEG format and no larger than 640x480 (or closest too), we will contact you for larger files if needed. Needless to say for this part of our magazine you really need to impress.
WERNER STRAUSS
philosophy.
Professional portfolio This is a challenge to professional photographers. Share your life's work with others and pass the chalice of knowledge on to other hungry minds. Have your say to improve the photographic industry. Share your thoughts about your life as a photographer. Inspire our readers with your unique style and philosophy. We hope to feature a pro in every issue and endeavor to bring you the best of the best in the industry to showcase their portfolio and inspire and teach us all. In our March issue we feature Kevin Mark Pass, an up and coming people perceive photography, photographers and themselves? Does one's work define you as a human being or does one's humanity define your work? We also ask ten random questions about life, love and everything
KEVIN MARK PASS
young fashion photographer. We talk to him about perception. How do
else. Kevin shares his views about equipment need vs. equipment greed. Contact the editor directly at editor@photocomment.net to arrange an interview.
Technique feature So you think you have seen it all? Think again. In our monthly technique feature we will show you how to produce winning images with the most basic of equipment and in the most limiting circumstances. If you have We are certain that not only will you learn something new but we will as well. If you have a tip or a trick of the trade that you wish to share with our readers please don't hesitate to send us a short proposal. We don't know everything but where we fall short, and you want to learn from the best, we will also recruit some of the best photographers in the industry to share their knowledge with you the reader.
Scoop We will be reviewing books, announcing exhibitions, reporting on trade shows, reviewing new and exciting products and cameras, bringing you the reader the latest industry news. We sat in on the judging of the Sony ProFoto awards recently and will bring you some insight into what judges look for in a winning image.
WERNER STRAUSS
any questions send them in - surprise and challenge us.
Werner Strauss W
erner Strauss is 29 and an accomplished image-
maker. Werner holds a degree in photography from
Interview by Wilhelmus Moller
He sees photography as a relaxation aid and when he is
bored, annoyed or stressed, his motorcycle takes him to where
the Tshwane University of Technology (previously Technikon
the magic happens. He rides, searches and shoots what life
Pretoria). He started shooting at the age of 17 and has a
offers him. Werner shoots digital for the ease of use but also
particular interest in street scenes, landscapes and long
embraces a hybrid film to digital approach. He believes editing
exposure photography. His current project is long exposure
and post production are acceptable, as he feels that it is the
figure study.
final product that matters. >>
Readers Portfolio
Werner’s Tips for the Novice Photographer: ? Shoot with a camera that you are
comfortable with and shoot as many photos as possible. Do not delete anything as you will not learn from your mistakes. ? Photography should be fun. ? If you are shooting digital learn to
shoot with the preview screen off and don’t over think the image. It’s a gut feel at the end of the day. ? Look intently at other
photographers’ work, draw inspiration from masters of old as well as contemporary photographers. ? Don’t discriminate between good
and bad photography. Both are indispensable learning aids. ? Surf the following websites that
Werner recommends and notes as some of his influences: www.altphotos.com, www.michealkenna.net,www.lostamer ica.com,www.f45.com, www.thenocturnes.com Q: Where are you from? A: Heidelberg Gauteng, a good example of what a small town can offer any photographer with an open mind. Q: What was your first camera? A: A Canon EOS 300. Q: What plans do you have for the Future? A: I want to own and manage my own photographic production company, catering to the needs of other photographers from location scouting right through to print. Q: What equipment do you currently own? A: A Canon Powershot G10 and a Horseman 6x9 field camera. Q: Your Dream Equipment? A: Anything that takes a picture will do. [o]