NZ CameraTalk To p r o m o t e t h e w i d e r e n j o y m e n t o f p h o t o g r a p h y
T h e o f f i c i a l n e w s l e tt e r o f t h e P h ot o g r a p h i c S o c i e t y o f N e w Z e a l a n d INC Fe b r u a r y / M a r c h 2 0 1 7
New Zealand Camera 2017
It is time to select your very best images for selection in New Zealand Camera 2017. It’s not too late to create something magic either. Entries close on Friday 14 April 2017. New Zealand Camera is PSNZ’s flagship publication for the wider audience. It aims to showcase outstanding photographic images from members of the Photographic Society of New Zealand. Each PSNZ member can submit two images, but only one can be selected. We are limited in the number of images we can print, so not every entrant will have an image published. Our aim is to create a great-looking publication, and every year some superb and highly awarded images just don’t fit. But on the other hand, selection is anonymous and new
photographers are often published. Each year the book has a special themed section. This year the theme is “Putting People in their Places” – environmental portraits. That is, portraits of people (or pets) in their work or life environment, where the environment brings out the story. We have a fairly open mind about this definition – we are looking for quality and interest above all else. The quality of images in New Zealand Camera 2016 was outstanding. The special theme might take you out of your comfort zone and let you produce something breath-taking. We will be welcoming entries for New Zealand Camera 2017, posted on the PSNZ website.
Roland Searle – do you remember him? The New Zealand Railway Observer has included in recent issues a series of articles about Roland Searle who lived from 1904 to 1984. Photography was Roland’s passion. While railways may have interested him, he was an amateur photographer first and foremost. At an interview with the Evening Post in 1986 his widow Marie stated, “He always liked to get outdoors and never went anywhere without a camera. He took photographs by instinct. If he saw a bush or tree he liked the look of he would just up with the camera and snap it.” It is reported that his camera was a folding Kodak that took 120 roll-film. Roland was a keen member of the Wellington Camera Club,
gaining numerous prizes for landscape and animal studies. His work gained acceptance at various international photographic salons. Interestingly, in July 1933 Roland presented a paper on ‘Railway Photography’. It was reported as “somewhat out of the usual run, was listened to with close attention”. Railway photographs were used to illustrate his talk. Given the above, we wonder if older PSNZ and Wellington Camera Club members might remember Roland and his work. Two of his images are reproduced below. We are indebted to The New Zealand Railway Observer editorial staff, particularly Bill Prebble, for permission to use written material and photographs.
By the lake at Kingston – Awaiting departure at Kingston is a U class locomotive with a southbound passenger train. The photograph appeared in the October 1929 issue of the New Zealand Railway Magazine illustrating an article about Lake Wakatipu written by James Cowan.
Events & services Wellington Departure – Roland positioned himself where the lines from Wellington station’s platforms merge into the main north line to capture this train as it left for Palmerston North. The driver has opened the cylinder cocks to clear the cylinders of water, and from a railfan’s viewpoint Roland’s image was spoilt. Some photographers might have differing opinions, while the print might evoke childhood memories for others. Standing on the platform back in the days of steam, one jumped at the sound of the locomotive whistle and watched in awe as steam hissed out of those cylinder cocks!
Remember that CameraTalk is now a digital production, with fewer paper copies being mailed out these days. Please remind your club members that the digital version of CameraTalk can be found at www.photography.org.nz/members-login/camera-talk
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Services
Courier or storage boxes. Contact Sean Dick, sean@evokestudio.co.nz Printcases for 16”x 20” prints. $75 plus post. Contact Jocelyn Barrett, the.barretts.jl@gmail.com
Workshop
Abstract Photography – online course, www.evapolak.com
Club Scott Fowler APSNZ EFIAP PPSA Workshops For information on Scott’s courses, go to www.scoiwi.com/section828118.html Email details of services, upcoming photographic workshops, seminars and exhibitions to Lindsay Stockbridge LPSNZ at dilinz@actrix.co.nz
It’s always a busy start to a new year and we hope that you have all had an opportunity to add some great images to your collections over the holiday season.
PRESIDENT Peter Robertson LPSNZ PO Box 2, Westport 7866 03 789 8745 e: president@photography.org.nz
VICE-PRESIDENT Moira Blincoe LPSNZ 16a Burleigh Street, Grafton, Auckland 1023 t. 09 379 7021 e. blincoe.communicates@gmail.com
TREASURER David Knightley PO Box 99470, Newmarket, Auckland 1149 e. treasurer@photography.org.nz
SECRETARY Patrice Nilsen 8 Raroa Terrace, Tawa, Wellington 5028 t. 04 232 1565 e. secretary@photography.org.nz
EDITOR Lindsay Stockbridge LPSNZ 14 Poynter Place, Whanganui 4501 t. 06 348 7141 or m. 027 653 0341 e. dilinz@actrix.co.nz
DESIGN AND LAYOUT Annikka Pugh 157 Peel Street, Westport 7825 t. 03 789 6650 or m. 021 023 13912 e. annikka.pugh@gmail.com
ADVERTISING & INSERTS Paul Whitham PSNZ Councillor t. 04 973 3015 or m. 021 644 418 e. paul@pwfotos.com
CAMERATALK DEADLINE The next CameraTalk deadline is 1 April 2017. Email your contributions to the Editor at above email address. Editorial should be sent as Word or .txt files. JPEG images generally should open to not more than 150mm x 100mm at 300 dpi, compressed to high to medium quality. Include return postage if you wish material to be returned. The opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Council of PSNZ.
We also hope that you have made submissions to the PSNZ events that occur around this time every year, such as The National Exhibition, the new NZ International Salon and the submissions for PSNZ Honours. These, along with National and Regional Conventions are things that our members tell us are highly valued in the Society’s calendar and form part of the reason they remain active members. If you haven’t yet participated in any of these, do think seriously about doing so. Your success may surprise you. The 65th PSNZ National Convention in Auckland this year (Photography on the Edge, 6-9 April) is shaping up to be one of the best ever. Colin Kropach and his team from the Auckland Photographic Society (APS) have assembled an exciting mix of talented keynote speakers and expert workshop presenters. The field trips will ensure you will see and experience parts of Auckland that will give you an opportunity to capture some amazing images. You will also be able to see and touch the latest tools, talk techniques and enjoy support from the photographic trades. There will be something for everyone and we would love to have you join us there. It’s not too late to register and early bird registration closes on 1 March – so take advantage of that offer. Thanks also to Doug Crutch and his team from Henderson Photographic Society
From the President's desk for their work in organising the associated National Exhibition this year, and to Michael Boyd-Clark and his team for their work on the NZ International Salon. Without these volunteers, our Society would not have the rich calendar of annual events for our members to enjoy. Last, but not least, thanks to the volunteers on the PSNZ Council who help to ensure that the events on that calendar are those that members value most. Here’s to a great year ahead! Kind regards Peter Robertson LPSNZ President
Editor’s corner We have a new year, and now a new issue of CameraTalk. I hope everyone’s had a restful and photographically productive time and that you are now back into club and PSNZ activities. It will soon be time to pack your bags for this year’s National Convention in Auckland!
Page six of our last issue featured an article on Jocelyn and Lyal Barrett and their work over a number of years. The red face department apologises to Jocelyn for mistyping her name at the foot of the article. Lindsay Stockbridge LPSNZ Editor
Have you registered for the 65th National Convention, Photography on the Edge? If not, don’t delay – it’s going to be a great event! Go to www.photographyontheedge.org
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Audio-Visual notes by Trish McAuslan APSNZ AFIAP AAPS – JSMT Coordinator
Congratulations Towards the end of last year AV Makers of South Africa ran an international competition with the theme Water. In the Photo Harmony Section, Elizabeth Carruthers was awarded a Merit Certificate for her AV called One Winter’s Day and Alistair McAuslan was also awarded a Merit Certificate for his AV Ice Landscapes, Antarctica. In the Documentary Section John and Judith Hodgson were awarded a Merit Certificate for Okavango. AV Makers of South Africa are holding their international competition again this year with the theme Life. Please contact me if you would like more details. (mcauslanav@gmail.com)
will see things in different ways and the competition changes as different AVs are entered. There are five categories: Theme; Documentary; Music, Poetry and Song; Humour and Natural History. If you would like to watch the judging, it will take place over the weekend of 20-22 April in Adelaide. This is the only opportunity in this part of the world to attend the judging of an international competition which is approved by FIAP, The Australian Photographic Society and the South Australian Photographic Federation. For more information check out the Australian Photographic Society website: www.a-p-s.org.au/index.php/exhibition/ adelaide-av-fest
Challenge 3-2-1 This is an international contest for short audio-visuals with a maximum runtime of 3 min. 21 seconds. This short runtime is the ‘challenge’ for the authors. Until 2014 the contest was organised by the French photo club Gaphe in Hayange, France. After a two year break the contest is now continued by a German team. For more information, please go to www.challenge321.org
Did Your Audience Get Your Message? Sometimes authors are relying on their title and images to tell the story but often this isn’t enough, particularly with documentary AVs. One technique is to add some of this information in text. If subtitles or explanatory notes are used, the viewer needs sufficient time to both read and absorb what is written and then additional time to appreciate the images. As a result, the AV either becomes too long or the viewer doesn’t get time to appreciate everything. As well, people read at different speeds, so one person can be left waiting for the programme to move on while someone else is rushing to catch up. The best solution is to use narration instead of text, which usually makes the AV flow more smoothly. If you are adding a narration, remember that you already know the content of the narration but it will be the first time the audience has heard it. Aim for a crisp, clear narration in a conversational style. Other solutions are to limit the amount of text or to put the text on a black background.
Tauranga AV Salon Categories for this year are Documentary; Theme; Music, Poetry and Song; and Natural History. Entries close on 7 June 2017. Further information is on the Tauranga Photographic Society website: http://taurangaphoto.org.nz/tga-av-salon.
Adelaide Fest 2017 This is an international audio-visual competition which is organised every two years in Adelaide, South Australia. Entries close on 31 March. I am encouraging you to consider entering, especially if your AV has been successful in another competition. Remember there are no guarantees because different judges
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Join a print circle... One way to improve your photography is to critique other people’s photographs and to have others assess yours. You can do this by joining a print circle. Up to ten photographers circulate their work by mail to other members who have a few days to make constructive comments on the work received, add a new print for others to view, and post the bag to the next person on the list. If you’d like to join, please contact Lindsay Stockbridge LPSNZ at dilinz@actrix.co.nz. One or two circles currently have vacancies so we’ll happily settle you into one!
Two strong influences! Marion Macklin of New Plymouth writes that she was delighted to read in CameraTalk about Maurice Moffat and Vonnie Cave, two PSNZ members who have strongly influenced her lifetime interest in photography. “I always remember Maurice as the photographer who reminded us in exhibitions and convention programmes that the Rule of Thirds was not a rule but a guideline, and as such did not have to be followed. He taught us, by demonstrating in his images, the value of central placement and symmetry when it suited the subject,” said Marion. “Many photographers will remember Maurice’s image, taken on the Foxton Straight, of a power pole in front of an old house. The subject was absolutely centrally placed. The image created great argument between those who said, ‘Great – original!’ and those who said, ‘Terrible – it breaks the rules’. Maurice always had something to say that was stimulating and worth listening to. He was easy to talk to and willing to answer questions. “Vonnie, apart from showing her beautiful images, taught us many valuable lessons about making ‘Sound-Slides’, the predecessor of the digital Audio-Visual. For some years the Wanganui Salon weekend was a vital date in our photographic calendar. There and at several AV weekends in Turangi, the Wanganui team of Vonnie, Bev Sinclair, Arthur Bates and
Derek Endersby, plus master photographers from around the country, freely shared their Sound-Slide expertise. I remember Vonnie talking about changing format in Sound-Slides. She was a master at changing from the vertical to the horizontal without the viewer realising it had happened. Your interest was held by the images while the change was so subtly done.” Marian joined PSNZ in 1972. She is grateful to all the folk who have and who continue to freely share their knowledge at club, regional and national level. From 1972 to 1990 she attended just about every national convention and at least one central or northern regional each year. In the 90s family crises made it difficult to afford time or money to attend many conventions. By 2003 her work circumstances had changed and convention costs were rising. The two just didn’t match. From 1978 to 1983 Marian was a PSNZ councillor and had responsibility for Slide Circles, and at the 1983 Convention in New Plymouth was the club’s convention secretary and PSNZ advisory councillor. She was responsible for the New Zealand and overseas guest exhibitors. At that time eight to 10 guests would exhibit at the convention. Marion was secretary or treasurer of New Plymouth Camera Club from 1974 to 1986, but work commitments eventually made club attendance impractical.
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PSNZ member profile:
Simon Woolf FPSNZ AIPP It is an honour to be asked to contribute a biography, coming after Margaret Bake and Maurice Moffat, two PSNZ legends. Both I regard very highly. They are phenomenal artists, technicians, craftspeople and, just as importantly, role models. My love affair with photography started as a kid, when our dad, Ron Woolf, introduced my sister Deborah and me to an Agfa Instamatic. We were six and five respectively! My parents, Ron and Inge, were both superb photographers. My father remains my greatest photographic inspiration, while my mother handed my sister and me her management, organisational and governance skills From there it was lots of soccer, and a burgeoning career beckoned in England, until a serious injury as a 17 year old meant an 18 month period in a cast. That was a big setback, until I realised I could still photograph sport! I kept borrowing Dad’s portrait cameras, mostly twin lens Rolleiflex which were really unsuited to action, and gave it a good go. It was truckloads of fun, especially in the darkroom, processing film and producing all sorts of black and white prints. I even sold a few to newspapers. Prior to that my sister and I had helped our parents to photograph weddings and graduations. One day one of my father’s staff was sick, and Deb and I had to shoot a wedding. The bride’s mother was hardly impressed to see a 13 and a 14 year old turn up at her daughter’s big day! We did nail the photos, and were totally confident in doing so! The Wellington Photographic Society was a great education for us kids, and we used to attend from a young age. PSNZ was in our blood from very early on too. We were models at conventions, and my father’s lighting portrait sessions, as tots! My first foray into the National Exhibition was in 1981, when I gained the most acceptances I have ever achieved! I also gained the Ronald Woolf PSNZ Youth Award. Winning that trophy, along with the Whanganui Salon’s Metcalfe Award, and gaining gold medals at NATEX in each the four decades, have been huge highlights. The nine Photojournalism gold medals were particularly satisfying, at times with a measure of luck!
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The PSNZ Youth Award is something really special, and over more than 35 years I have particularly enjoyed mentoring young people to aspire and use the Youth Award as encouragement to a photographic pathway. Encouraging youth to have courage and take a risk in aiming for the PSNZ Youth Award has been really satisfying. I have been so lucky with my own awards and accolades over the years, but the joy in seeing talented young people step up and gain that award has been just the best! My own photographic career has been wide and varied. It has had many challenges, especially as the industry has changed and technology has developed. I feel very honoured to have experienced some wonderful mentors over a lengthy period. Brian Brake, Len Casbolt, John Boyd, Dick Poole, Arthur Bates, Arthur and Eunice Mowles, Matheson Beaumont, Vonnie Cave, Ron and Georgie McKie, Roger Brownsey, Jack Sprosen, and as already mentioned Margaret Bake and Maurice Moffatt, have all been great inspirations and influences through PSNZ. There are others too. James White, Brian Enting, Julian Ward, Peter Bush, Nick Servian, Graham Stewart, and Aussies David Williams, Pete Eastway, Tony Hewitt, Ian Wilkinson, Doug Spowart and Victoria Cooper have been some awesome personalities to have friendships with, from an industry perspective. I have learned much from some very able PSNZ administrators, including John Boyd, Jack Sprosen, Mark Webber, Carolyn and Frank Green, Derek Endersby and Lynn Clayton, to name but a few. The fact that so many people volunteer in order to keep PSNZ out front and centre is an amazing thing in this day and age. It is something I continue to marvel at. I have been fortunate to have been involved in some absolutely amazing assignments, meeting some great people on the way and mixing with all sections of the New Zealand community. Meeting some of the some overseas greats of photography has been inspiring too. The highlights have been many. The Nelson Mandela experience, and more than 30 years of official New Zealand
Government photography, including photographing a number of world leaders, and three generations of Royals, has been a big honour. Touring with and photographing the Cambridge family visit to New Zealand in 2014, with a number of photos going viral, was a huge experience. One very special family image gained more than three billion internet views and produced 43 front covers around the world! That was a ‘pinch me’ moment! Travelling to Asia 12 years ago, on assignment to capture the serious problems around HIV AIDS, and women and children in poverty was a rollercoaster, and was perhaps the most challenging photography I have encountered. An exhibition aptly titled Images of Hope and Dignity travelled the world, raised profile and funds for the two causes, and was widely acclaimed. It was rewarding to have photography create positives out of hugely negative situations. I am now very involved in exhibition photography, as opposed to competitions and salons, and mentoring others. Workshops and seminars are where my passion lies. Travelling around New Zealand and internationally, in an educational role has been inspiring. I am trying to improve my repertoire, continually progress, and provide different options. From a PSNZ perspective, I will always value my roots, and the many friendships I have made. I am proud that what I have learned from conventions and the National Exhibition of Photography has helped shape my photography, my philosophy and the way in which I teach and mentor. I will always be grateful to PSNZ for that!
33rd FIAP B&W biennial print competition results by Brian Cudby FPSNZ EFIAP ESFIAP – FIAP Liaison Officer Earlier this year members were invited to submit black and white images for consideration for inclusion in the Biennial FIAP B&W Print Competition. From the more than 100 splendid images received, a 10-print portfolio – themed as New Zealand Maori – was selected, assembled as a PSNZ portfolio, printed to A3 size and then sent to Korea to be judged against the other international competitors. We now have the results, and of the 48 international portfolio entries the PSNZ portfolio set was placed 18th equal, together with Bangladesh and Switzerland. The United Kingdom was awarded the World Cup, Ireland the Gold Medal, with a Silver medal going to Germany and a Bronze Medal going to Turkey. Many thanks to all who took the time and trouble to enter this prestigious event, and congratulations to those whose images were
PSNZ Canon Online
selected . The successful authors were April Stark APSNZ AFIAP, Rob Dally LPSNZ, Tracey Adler, Ilan Wittenberg FPSNZ MNZIPP, Moira Blincoe LPSNZ, Errol Hitt, Susie Whelan APSNZ, Aliah Jan FPSNZ AFIAP, Bob McCree FPSNZ and Breen Porter FPSNZ ARPS LBIPP AFIAP. All the prints were mounted and displayed in Korea, in August, during the recent FIAP Congress, and our set looked very good when viewed alongside all the others. We knew that our set was a superior one and we had high expectations for its success, unfortunately not achieved on this occasion. Even so, our final result was very creditable and a credit to our authors. The overall result is convincing evidence of how high the international standards are and that our place, and our authors’ talents, in the overall photographic world are very highly regarded.
Results from Round 6, 2016
Liz Robertson LPSNZ kindly offered to judge Round 6 and we are very grateful for her input. We received 74 images and the winner was Rachel Stevens from Paraparaumu with Smokin’. Congratulations to Rachel and to the other nine place winners. I wish readers a Happy New Year with health, happiness and a winning image! Entries for this year’s Round 1 close on 25 February and are limited to financial PSNZ members who can submit just one image sized at 1620 x 1080. All entries are to be submitted online; go to www.photography.org.nz and enter under the Member Login area. Sally Phillips APSNZ PSNZ Canon Online Co-ordinator
Smokin’ by Rachel Stevens
Comments from the judge: Liz Robertson LPSNZ The task was as tough as I expected it would be! So many lovely images, so few places to award!
The photographer has also managed to capture his ‘don’t mess with me’ attitude perfectly.
1st Smokin’ by Rachel Stevens
2nd Eye on the prize by Bryan Lay Yee
A powerful low key portrait of a man you just know has some interesting stories to tell - and I want to hear them all! For this reason I have placed it first.
One can certainly feel the power of the water in this picture and see the look of determination on the athlete’s face. The fast shutter speed chosen by the
photographer to freeze the water droplets adds to the tension and excitement. 3rd Gaze by Carolina Dutruel A striking but soft portrait of a young girl. One can’t help but be drawn in by her big doe-like eyes. The soft goldengreen light reminds me of autumn. continued on page 8
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continued from page 7
PSNZ Canon Online: Results from Round 6, 2016 4th The girl in the green car by Lynn Fothergill This image reminds me of a scene from a movie. The pastel colours complement each other well. The tilt of the head and bold tattoos and jewellery tell me this is one confident, sassy lady.
the woman in this shot. The story intrigues me too; what or who is she looking up at, running to? The use of fish eye adds an almost voyeuristic feeling to the shot, as if the scene is being viewed through a door peephole.
5th Wind farm on the hills by Sue Riach LPSNZ The black and white treatment of this landscape adds to the moodiness of the image. The contrast of the blades adds drama. I’d be happy to hang this on my wall; I find the curve of the land quite soothing.
Who doesn’t love flowers, particularly ones as soft and delicate as this? The stem is very pleasingly shaped to lead the eye to the flower which seems to dissolve almost smoke-like into the background. A beautiful piece of floral artwork.
8th Floating by Annette Johnston LPSNZ
6th Preening by Glenda Rees The photographer picked the perfect moment to capture this beautiful natural history shot. There’s so much detail in every feather. The empty background adds a sense of space and freedom for me.
9th Contemplation by Robert Beckett
7th Lines by Allan Cox I love the use of lines and curves to lead the eye to, and frame
A peaceful, soothing seascape with lovely reflections; the mist adds mood and atmosphere. A worthy 10th place.
Eye on the prize by Bryan Lay Yee
A classic, beautifully lit portrait. His eyes are particularly striking and I am left wondering what he is thinking. Lovely warm tones throughout. 10th Misty Morn by Jenny Lovering
Gaze by Carolina Dutruel
Wind farm on the hills by Sue Riach LPSNZ
The girl in the green car by Lynn Fothergill
Preening by Glenda Rees
Right: Lines by Allan Cox
Floating Contemplation by Annette Johnston LPSNZ by Robert Beckett
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Misty Morn by Jenny Lovering