QUOTE OF THE MONTH: “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.”- Ansel AdamsKen Ball’sMentoring NewsletterMAY 2014 #40________________________________________________ PICTURE OF THE MONTH: FROM KAREN BYRNES IN MACKAY, QUEENSLANDA keen member of our group, the energetic Karen does a stall at her local art markets once every twomonths and has come up with the name ‘Ocean Country Impressions’ for marketing her products,which are mainly traditional and abstract landscapes. She writes that she is “bursting with ideas” afterour workshop last month! OUR BIGGEST ISSUE EVER WITH 66 PAGES AND WELCOME TO FIVE NEW MEMBERS; EIMEAR McDONAGH, SIRRAH DELPHI LORE, LYN FEDRICK, EMMA BEACH & GLENDA HUBBARD 1
INTRODUCTION WITH KEN BALL:Photography auctions hit high pricesThe talk now is of high prices still being achieved at photography auctions. At Christie’s,New York, auctions last month the sales of photographs and The Range of Light:Photographs by Ansell Adams achieved a combined total of over U.S. $6 million.Photographs totaled $4,230,687 when The Range of Light: Photographs by Ansell Adams totaled$2,144,875.The top lot was Lot 6 | Ansell Adams (1902-1984), Winter Sunrise, Sierra Nevada from Lone Pine,California, 1941, gelatin silver mural print, flush-mounted on a layered wooden panel, printed 1961and the price realised was $545,000.The top 10 lots were monopolized by three photographers: Ansell Adams who managed the top threespots as well as the tenth position while Irving Penn had five photographs in the top 10; RichardAvedon’s Natasha Kinaki and the Serpent realized a price of $137,000.Laura Paterson, Christie’s photographs specialist in New York, remarked: “We are very pleased withthe results of the dedicated auction of photographs by Ansell Adams. The strong prices achieved bythe sale are indicative of the demand for the artist’s extremely rare and technically flawless muralprints.”Philippe Garner, International Head of Photographs and the sale’s auctioneer, continued: “Thephotographs auction saw enthusiasm from the international marketplace that ranged across period andstyle. Artists whose work commanded particularly strong prices included Irving Penn, FrancescaWoodman and Desiree Dolron. We were also delighted by the success of the works from the DavidC. and Sarajean Ruttenberg Arts Foundation, which realised a combined total of $401,063. Thisselection of works was led by Richard Avedon’s Nastassja Kinski and the Serpent, Los Angeles,California, June 14, 1981, which realized $137,000.”Another interesting auction last month was in Paris to sell the works by Felix Thiollier.Born in 1842, shortly after the development of photography, Félix Thiollier began working withphotography in 1858 and exhibited for the first time in 1885. His work has been rediscovered inrecent decades following major exhibitions in Saint-Étienne, Stuttgart, Osaka, Tokyo and the Muséed’Orsay in Paris.An archeology buff and a master of landscape photography, Thiollier published among other thingsForez pittoresque et monumental.The 161 lots on auction last month represented a portion of his archives and were sold on April 17 inthe Hôtel des ventes du Marais in Saint-Étienne.One of the images is reproduced on the next page: 2
An image by Felix Thiollier at the auction.My ideal café for a quick coffee!The two-story Dreaming Camera Cafe in South Korea is modeled in the shape of a vintage Rolleiflextwin lens reflex camera. The café is situated in Yangpyeong, 50 miles east of Seoul, and has attractedmany photographers, travel enthusiasts, art-lovers from all over the world since it was captured byprofessional photographers who visited the place.To continue with the photography theme, the Dreaming Camera Cafe is filled with all kinds of imageartifacts and equipment, to better captivate the art-lover’s fancy. There are many cameras–fromvintage models, to simple camera equipment and even the latest advanced varieties. While sippingyour coffee, you can look around at the stunning photography equipment collection the owners havegathered. Perhaps this is one of the best creations to trigger the imagination of photographyenthusiasts all over the world. The Dreaming Camera Café. 3
The tragedy of warHaving spent far more years working as a photojournalist than I have as an art photographer, I wasdeeply saddened by the killing of award-winning and veteran war photographer Anja Niedringhauswas fatally shot by an Afghan police officer on April 4, while reporting for the AP in EasternAfghanistan.“She gave herself to the subjects of her lens, and gave her talents to the world, with images of wars’unwitting victims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and beyond,” the AP said in an obituary.Niedringhaus, 48 and originally from Germany, was the latest victim of the rising violence inAfghanistan ahead of the presidential elections.Of her work she told the New York Times in 2011: “I don’t believe conflicts have changed since 9/11other than to become more frequent and protracted. But the essence of the conflict is the same — twosides fighting for territory, for power, for ideologies. And in the middle is the population who issuffering.” Anja and two of her war images on the next page: 4
An Afghan National Police officer at a checkpoint in the outskirts of Maidan Shahr, Wardak province, Afghanistan. May 15, 2013. A Canadian soldier chases a chicken seconds before he and his unit were attacked by grenades in Salavat, southwest of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Sept. 11, 2010. 5
Our workshops were a real buzz!The feedback from you all after our workshops last month has been truly rewarding.It takes months to plan such an event, and I had the support of Wendy Roche all the way. We wereboth delighted to have had Diane Costello and Murray Noble fly in from New Zealand to completethe teaching team.The big news is that we are planning another workshop next March at the same venue with a newrange of lectures, more field trips, and hopefully have our figure model Kate Hoyles join us again.More news about all of this as it happens.Workshop participant Sirrah Delphi Lore, who owns Green Coast Photography in the same area, hasstarted a Facebook page for all of you who attend the workshops:https://www.facebook.com/groups/impressionistphotography/Of the hundreds of images produced at the workshops, many really caught my eye, including this oneby Kim Pendreigh: Model Kate Hoyles with friend Nadine who joined our group.So I decided to run a special feature this month on the images you -- the members of our monthlymentoring group -- produced, and of those we -- the tutors -- managed to snap when not teaching.Here we go: 6
THE WORKSHOP TUTORS: image by Ken Ball Shot with a 1950 Kodak 127 Brownie film camera. 7
THE WORKSHOP TUTORS: image by Wendy RocheShot with a Lensbaby, the sweet spot on the left side of the umbrella. There is an impression of nudity, says Wendy. 8
THE WORKSHOP TUTORS: image by Murray Noble A multiple exposure created in camera by the master of the technique. 9
THE WORKSHOP TUTORS: image by Diane Costello A double exposure, combined after the workshop. 10
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Karen Byrnes 11
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Con Harriman 12
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Jenny Kinnear 13
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Trevor Bayly 14
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Meg Thackery 15
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Sirrah Delphi Lore 16
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Eimear McDonagh 17
THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS: image by Emma Beach 18
THE WORKSHOP: CLASS PICTURES On location with model Kate. In the workshop’s conference room at Hastings Point. 19
In next month’s issue we’ll look at the changing face of art photography and look at a portfolio ofInstagram works by our new member Glenda Hubbard, of Byron Bay. Here’s a preview: Until next month, Ken 20
PORTFOLIO WENDY ROCHE It started with a decanter which has a minature waltzing couple who rotate when the clockwork is wound up. Wendy began photographing the dancers,using different techniques with liquids in the decanter and filters on her camera.It has quickly progressed to a New book (launched at our workshop) titled “The Last Waltz”. Here are six images from the project. KB. #1 21
PORTFOLIO WENDY ROCHE#2 22
PORTFOLIO WENDY ROCHE#3 23
PORTFOLIO WENDY ROCHE#4 24
PORTFOLIO WENDY ROCHE#5 25
PORTFOLIO WENDY ROCHE#6 26
THEME ENTRIES: CHASING OR MAKING SHADOWS SUZANNE WILLIAMS:#1Suzanne says:As the interisland ferry enters Tory Channel, the late afternoon sun creates shadows on the folded hillsand outlines their flowing contours.Ken says:You have worked well with these shadows and created a classic black and white image. I liked itbecause I could “feel” those folded hills and I enjoyed the overall texture of the image. But I wasdisappointed that the white sky meant the image floated away to nothing along the top edge. I added avignette (below) to contain it. 27
#2Suzanne says:On a recent trip to Cambodia I caught this image of a mother and child having a siesta. I thought thelight and shadow on their faces was serene and beautiful.Ken says:A nice image but the arm with all those bracelets at the top and the lattice pattern on the left aredistracting from the serene faces – so I copped it tighter and I feel that improves the visual impact ofyour image (next page): 28
29
#3Suzanne says:This is Fifi. She is a mean woman. She loves to hide behind curtains and grab you as you go by. Heroutstretched claws say everything! It would be a far better image if the sheer curtain didn’t have self-stripes.Ken says:I shall avoid Fifi at all costs! I agree that the stripes are distracting but it’s a clever image. 30
ANDREA MUNRO:#1Andrea says:My older style home has a conservatory with lace like curtains, great for shadow effects.Ken says:Lace curtains like those could give you enough combinations of images to do a book on them! Nicetry Andrea, but just a little too soft in focus. Needs to be sharper or more abstract…..tends to situncomfortably in the middle now. 31
#2Andrea says:Being an older design home, I have a big bay window above the kitchen sink -- it’s great for catchingthe sunshine but not much else. I am always trying to add some colour and items to keep itinteresting. To the left is a piece of my sisters’ artwork done on Perspex which I love and on the left issome flax weaving I tried.Ken says:This could have been improved by getting your focus point on the top left of your sister’s Persplexartwork. 32
#3Andrea says:This mat is a rubber mat that I have grown attached to - I just love the patterns on it.Ken says:Like your lace curtains, lots of potential here for a series of different images. I like these patterns. 33
#4Andrea says:I have carted this garden sign around to three homes now. I still haven’t fixed it properly and I stillhaven’t really got the garden that I had so much wanted to start. But being Easter, the shadow alsoreminded me a bit of a cross.Ken says:I think you have some really good ideas and I know you love your Lensbaby (as I do!) but try harderto get that sweet spot on the most important part of each image you shoot. This would have been amuch better image had you achieved that. If you have eyesight problems (as I do again!) then makesure your camera viewfinder’s dioptre adjustment is set correctly. If any problems doing this, look atyour camera manual or email me. 34
DOMINIQUE PAPOUTSOU:#1Dominique says:I took this picture today coming back from the rivers, I knew I had to find shadows somewhere so Itook this as the sun was setting and again my lack of models was a problem. I finally had to resort tousing myself and begged my partner to help.Ken says:CONGRATULATIONS DOMINIQUE! You have followed the assignment brief literally and endedup with a great shadows image! I am sure all our members will be as equally impressed. Your partneralways seems to be there when you need him also! Well done to both of you. 35
#2Dominiqiue says:This was my second attempt, as we were talking I noticed our shadow in front as I moved closer myjacket created a heart shape, so I grabbed the camera, moved back into position and snapped this one.I liked how it looks like we are large cats with ears or devils depends how you look at it.Ken says:I lot of impact in this image too, but for my money your #1 is a tad better. 36
#3Dominique says:This was taken at a night shoot with the photo club when we used torches to light up the object.Ken says:You had the torches in exactly the right position to create this shot with a lot of modelling thuscreating nice shadows. 37
#4Dominique says:Taken at the workshop on Waiheke Island. I like the shadows and the mystery as to where the stairsgo.Ken says:I don’t think cropping back on the foreground will greatly improve this shot, but it will give you avariation (see next page): 38
39
CAROL PEARCE:#1Carol says:What is it! the shadow gives it away, a crab crawling on the beach. Panned, slow speed anduntouched.Ken says:Love it Carol! A great shadow loaded with movement and texture. A really quirky image. Frame it foryour new studio wall perhaps? 40
#2Carol says:Puppy or person, the shadow looks more like a person, although it was all dog. Panned slow speedand untouched.Ken says:This impacted on me as much as Dominique’s #1 image. Just great. You have embraced theassignment brief also, like Dominique, and ended up with a really good image. You have put cautionwith the camera aside and shot in a daring manner. We should all do that far more often! 41
#3Carol says:Keeping to the beach scene the dolphin was surfing and playing in the water, casting a shadow on thewaves. Telescopic lens to 300mmKen says:This one has not got the originality that your other two havw. It’s well captured but too much like apostcard. Stay with the daring images Carol! You do them so well. 42
CON HARRIMAN:#1Con says:Early morning shadows on my bathroom wall.Ken says:Like Dominique and Carol, you have thought out the assignment brief before shooting and ended upwith a good image. My rationale is in giving you all the shadows brief was to make you moreconscious of shadows in your photography – when you should use them and when you should avoidthem. This one works well Con. 43
#2Con says:Midmorning shadows of a corridor in the hospital where I work. The image was taken with slightcamera movement. I like the infinity type quality.Ken says:I do too! The image rolls out to infinity very well indeed. A well-executed image Con. 44
#3Con says:Shadows in an old shed. Just a hint of what lies within - an invitation for further exploration.Ken says:I think this image heaps of potential but needs some help along the way with a touch of Brightness,the Contrast and a border perhaps: 45
#4Con says:Profile shadow of a lady - who is she?Ken says:I was just captivated by your lighting and deep mood in this one Con. I think it is extremely welldone. I immediately thought I was looking at a detail from Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch”: 46
ROGER BROWN:#1Roger says:Chasing shadows. The subject includes words – not just ‘shadows’, but also ‘chasing’. So I spentsome time trying to include movement of at least one on the ‘real’ subject and the shadow. At thebeginning of the month I took an Italian (well, German – or rather a native of South Tyrol) visitor tothe gannets at Muriwai. This chick (the bird, not the visitor) was trying to learn to fly, and paradealong flapping, and fell frontwards…..wisely (?) the friend just watched.Ken says:You did it Roger….the shadow and the chasing. It worked well for you too. 47
#2Roger says:The gannets’ breeding season had more or less finished (some still there, ‘tho, when I went thereagain yesterday). I spent some time getting a bird in flight, but close enough to get its shadow…. Idid achieve it – although quite a bit cropped!Ken says:This one worked also but I think just a little more cropping would really make it sing: 48
#3Roger says:I was at Muriwai again, yesterday. Just before sunset. Toffee at the foreshore. I am pleased withthis.Ken says:A beauty! It fits the assignment, has great movement and colour, and is full of action. Having Toffeeoff centre may give you an interesting variation: 49
#4Roger says:Toffee and Maple, with another visitor (this time French).Ken says:Love it Roger! One of your best, I reckon. But tighten it up so that Toffee is more obvious and doaway with that distracting background (see next page): 50
Search
