In the Field – Part 1

Creativity doesn’t need to be confined to just the home, school or studio. Photographing and sketching in the field provides stimulus and is great practice. It’s really true that the more you do it, the easier it becomes.

One place that’s inspired is my old haunt of Oatley Park, by the Georges River. I might not have been a frequent visitor in recent years, but I made up for it in the last few months: shooting photographs at the castle.

Oatley Park Mornings

Oatley Park Mornings

And sketching by the baths.

Oatley Park Mornings

Oatley Park Mornings

Mornings are my usual time there. It’s when the light is golden as the baths are illuminated. If you wake up early enough, you might even see the sun rise.

Oatley Park Mornings

Oatley Park Mornings

Degenerate – Part 1

The final week saw us delve into the world of street photography. It’s not a genre that I’ve had lots of practice in, and I found photographing the street a confronting and at times frustrating experience. Opportunities can emerge from anywhere and disappears as quickly as they come, and it’s difficult to be always ready to capture them. Hence, I admire the work of photographers who are masters at it: check out the work of Trent Parke, Martin Parr, and classic photographers Eugene Atget and Vivian Maier. Such work must demand years of practice on the street.

Part of the assignment was to spend two hours on a cold winter’s night photographing Taylor Square. I contrasted these shots with photos taken in an hour one afternoon in the Central Coast suburb of Ettalong. Surprisingly, there is a definite thread running through it – one of social decay – hence the series title, Degenerate.

Degenerate

Degenerate

Degenerate

Portraits – Part 2

I have been getting to know the people at the Windgap Foundation (a not-for-profit that supports people with intellectual disabilities in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney) through my volunteer work with them, and I thought that they would make great portraiture subjects. I was right.

Windgap Portraits

Windgap Portraits

The clients are so open and full of character that it was easy to take a great portrait. Added to that was the fact that I had gotten to know them for 18 months, so familiarity with the subject certainly helps when it comes to taking a good portrait.

Windgap Portraits

Windgap Portraits

Portraits – Part 1

Week 3 saw us delving into the world of portraits. I must admit it’s not a genre that I’m very comfortable working with – it’s quite confronting to work with people! But I gave it a try anyway.

As always, I started close to home – Gary is our local butcher. We’ve been his customers for many years, and he in turn has been working in the same shop for 53 years! Even chronic arthritis won’t slow him down.

Gary the Butcher

He is an old-fashioned butcher who makes most of his products himself. You’ll find him at his shop early in the morning, every morning. His products are so good that he frequently caters for the surrounding cafes, clubs and schools. Sausages, anyone?

Gary the Butcher

Adventures on life's merry-go-round