In mid March 2008 I have photographed a man shining shoes of a woman customer. The man’s name is Bryan and he is a well known personality to anyone working or visiting Sydney. He has shoe shining station placed in a very busy Pitt Street Mall. As far as I know, he may be the only person offering shoeshine service in the street in Australia, as it is not a service commonly offered in Australian streets. My photograph of Bryan and his customer, at least to me, is one of a positive attitude and enterprise. Bryan, down on luck, does not beg for money. He puts a solid day’s work to earn his living. In Sydney, where almost every corner of CBD is now occupied by beggars, Brian’s approach to life and financial misfortunes is commendable.
In mid September 2008 I start receiving emails accusing me of being racist. After few days someone with a little bit more sense makes me aware my photograph has been altered (without my authorization) to portray the shoe shine man to be at the time senator Barack Obama and his customer to be Sarah Palin, who at the time was Alaska’s Governor. The altered image was apparently distributed via email. The plagiarist chose to keep my copyright notice, and thus implying the highly controversial image was created by me. It was not.
Originally I have stated I will not publish the plagiarised work. However, now due to other circumstances I have decided to show it, so people can understand why I am trying so hard to defend my name against this plagiarised image. Please note how it still displays my name and the name of this website. I have added wording on top of this image, so if it distributed again, there will be no ambiguity about its authorship. more …
On one of the Internet forums, where I post my photographs frequently, a lively discussion took place on merits of street photography. The debate seems to have three sides with varied but not always opposing viewpoints to it.
Firstly, the photographers, who take street candids, see it as a form of art, which captures people in their natural environment exhibiting their natural behaviours. Secondly, the photographers who view this as a form of art, but acknowledge only a small proportion of candid photographs as worth looking at. Finally, there was a group of photographers, who see no purpose or for that matter any photographic or artistic skills in this medium at all.
Yes, this is discussion was conducted on a photographers for photographers forum and thus the audience is rather of a very narrow demographic. more …
A little bit of sunshine just for good measure.
This sunrise photograph was taken at Terrigal at the weekend. While there I have met an interesting photographer from Victoria who had his large format camera on the ready to capture whatever the nature would throw at us. I have learnt from him that a single exposure costs him over $50 developed (not printed) and thus he takes a lot of care and preparations, not to mention he is very choosy with the scenes. He did not take a single photograph that morning.
I am not sure if such cost restrictions in the age of digital photography are warranted. In the end he missed out on this spectacular ray display just because it was too expensive. What good is owning such advanced/sophisticated camera if it limits your photography?
I would like to pass the information about a very interesting photo competition. Please note this competition is open to Australians only. Naturally read all the relevant terms and conditions before participating. This should be a fantastic challenge and opportunity to anyone interested in people photography.
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is
holding a photo competition based on the theme – ‘Dignity and justice
for all of us’.
We’re searching for images that reflect the theme of the competition and
provide a unique approach to a human rights subject. For some, the
photograph will record a moment that celebrates dignity and justice; for
others, it will capture fundamental rights and freedoms being
recognised; or it may be an observance of what human rights means to
you.
Entry categories – under 18 female, under 18 male, 18 and above.
Great prizes and entry is free.
Entries close 31 October 2008.
Further details, entry forms and terms are located at the competition website
Here is the kind of photography I really enjoy taking: coincidental associations. A tuba player playing the Star Wars theme, which I must have heard him do many times before. To complete the scene a street sign showing the direction of City Recital Hall – how appropriate.
