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Blue Mountains Photography Group June 2013

The Blue Mountains Photography Group aims to support our shared love of photography, by providing a forum in which to learn, develop skills, discuss images and encourage each other. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday nights each

month at the Presbyterian Church hall, Macquarie Road, Springwood, 7.30 for 8pm. Visitors welcome.

JUNE 2013 What’s on this month

Committee Meeting

Monday

3rd

8pm: Exhibition Night: ALTERED REALITY / CREATIVE + OPEN Judge: Dot Radley

Monday

10th

PROJECT OF PASSION Monthly meeting for participants.

Monday

17th

PRACTICAL NIGHT Additional information will be emailed to members.

Monday

24th

Don’t shoot what it looks like.

Shoot what it feels like. (David Alan Harvey)

Members Choice - May

“PreDawn Walk at

Gold Coast”

Robyn Cook

Inside this month: Some photos from April exhibition night …. 2&3 Exhibitions to visit 4&5 Knapsack outing information …. 5 Theme definitions & other events this month …. 6 Other news …. 7

OUTING TO KNAPSACK 10am for 10:30 start Further details on page 5

Sunday

16th

Blue Mountains Photography Group June 2013

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Theme – Industrial – Past & Present Left to right, top to bottom

Some MAY Theme images:

INDUSTRAIL PAST & PRESENT

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Blue Mountains Photography Group June 2013

Left to right, top to bottom:

1. Sue Evans 2. Phil Wright 3. Robyn Cook 4. Anne Baker 5. Kerry Harris 6. Graeme Mell 7. Jeannie McInnes

Some MaY open images:

Blue Mountains Photography Group June 2013

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EXHIBITIONS – JUNE 2013

EXHIBITION REVIEWED: Remember Me: The Lost Diggers of Vignacourt. A collection of recently discovered World War I photographs of mainly Australian soldiers in France taken by a town photographer. Reproduced from the original photographic glass plates they are mainly full length portraits but include many props such as horses, motor bikes, and even dogs and children! A terrific exhibition that includes items from the War Memorial Collection that puts the time and place in context. And also includes the original chest that the glass plates were discovered in an old attic. The Galleries, Australian War Memorial, Treloar Crescent Campbell. Daily 10am-5pm. Until 31 July 2013. Free.

SHOWING … … … A convict in the family? An interesting concept by photographer Mine Konakci where portraits of original descendants from the First Fleet convicts are arranged in a tableau that includes representative items that were stolen by their ancester convicts. Museum of Sydney, cnr Bridge & Phillip Streets Sydney. Daily 10am-5pm. Until 14 July 2013. $8-$5 entry fee into the museum.

Head On Portrait Prize. See the finalists and winner of this acclaimed annual photographic portrait competition which is part of the Sydney hEAd oN photo festival (running until 23 June 2013). Galleries, State Library of New South Wales, Macquarie Street Sydney. Weekdays 9am-5pm; Tue 9am-8pm; weekends 10am-5pm. 18 May-23 Jun 2013. Free.

Magnum on Set. Portraits by various Magnum photographers of film stars and directors from a number of Hollywood movies. In conjunction with the hEAd oN photo festival. Check out the many other festival events on www.headon.com.au Galleries, State Library of New South Wales, Macquarie Street Sydney. Weekdays 9am-5pm; Tue 9am-8pm; weekends 10am-5pm. 18 May-23 Jun 2013. Free.

Jeff Wall Photographs. This overview of his career spanning three decades of his art and other photography including his colour work involving transparencies in light boxes, recent colour prints, B&W prints and some of his small scale photograhic observations. Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Level 3 Gallery, 140 George Street The Rocks Sydney. Daily 10am-5pm; Thu 10am-9pm. 01 May-28 July 2013. Free.

OUT OF TOWN … … … American Street: seventy years of a photographic tradition. Sixteen well known 20th century photographers are represented in this small exhibition of street photography in the US. Includes on display in a show case some representatives of the many photography books most of these photographers published. Photography gallery, Level 1, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes (Canberra) ACT. Daily 10am-5pm. Until August 2013. Free.

GOING … … … Reportage Photography Festival 2013. Directed this year by Stephen Dupont the festival includes large scale projected images of world class photographic works as well as exhibitions, talks and workshops by world leading documentary photographers. A retrospective of work by Raul Canibano Ercilla is currently showing at Customs House, Circular Quay. This festival runs as part of the Vivid Sydney so checkout the website www.vividsydney.com . Various locations, Sydney City. Various times, 25 May-10 Jun 2013. Need to book for some events.

Compiled by Ted Szafraniec

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Blue Mountains Photography Group June 2013

STATE LIBRARY OF NEW SOUTH WALES PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITIONS 2013

During 2013 the State Library of New South Wales will be showing 6 photography exhibitions. One of these exhibitions is the annual Head On Portrait Prize held in Sydney that is the headline exhibition of the hEAd oN photo festival. There is free entry to all of these exhibitions. Thephotography exhibitions scheduled are:

Head On Portrait Prize 18 May – 23 June 2013. The headline exhibition of the hEAd oN photo festival that shows the finalists in one of Australia’s acclaimed photographic potrait prize.

Magnum: On Set 18 May – 23 June 2013. Portraits of Hollywood stars and directors taken by Magnum photographers. This is part of the hEAd oN photo festival.

World Press Photo 2013 29 June – 28 July 2013. World’s best photojournalism for 2012.

Sydney Morning Herald Photos 1440 29 June – 28 July 2013. Features the best published and unpublished by Herald photographers from 2012 to the present.

Selling Dreams: One hundred years of fashion photography 10 August – 10 November 2013. Travelling exhibition from The Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Compiled by Ted Szafraniec

BMPG OUTING ON 16 JUNE 2013 TO KNAPSACK GULLY & BRIDGE AND LENNOX BRIDGE IN GLENBROOK

A half day photographic outing to Knapsack Gully & Bridge and Lennox Bridges is planned. This will be a round trip taking in views including Elizabeth, Marges and Sidings Lookouts (time permiting). The walk is easy to medium grade that is about an 8 km circuit (about 2.5-3 hours walking time). Great photography potential at the bridges and lookouts. Note that the walk will go ahead if it is drizzling but not if it is raining (but an assessment will be made on the day of the outing). A handout and map of the proposed walk will be available at the BMPG meeting on 09 June and thereafter. Those expressing an interest in doing the outing should contact Ted Szafraniec at the meeting or during the week following (4753 6374 (home) or 0404 631 774 (mobile)).

Gear: wear warm clothes (as it will be cool in the gullies and other locations away from the sun) include a beannie, comfortable walking shoes and a lightweight parka/jacket. A small pack for your gear, a light lunch and something to drink (preferrably warm).

Camera gear: don’t forget the camera and spare batteries; flash unit (for fill-in images); wide angle lens; tripod; extra recording cards; and anything else you can carry!

Date: Sunday 16 June 2013

Starting time: 10am for 10.30am start

Parking: will be available near the start of the walk (directions given later)

Coordinator: Ted Szafraniec

Contact details: T @ 4753 6374 (home) or 0404 631 774 (mobile)

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FUTURE EXHIBITION THEMES: 8th JULY: “Self Portrait” A self-portrait is a representation of the author, taken by you as the photographer, providing you with the opportunity to shape the image as both author and subject. Photographers, like artists, can also use self-portraiture as a means of perfecting their technical skill through composition and lighting, discovering new aspects of their artform, and as a means of self-discovery. “It is difficult to know yourself, but it isn’t easy to paint yourself either.” (Van Gogh)

Self-portraiture provides the opportunity to capture an honest and unique expression of self in front of a camera. For example, using natural or studio lighting; post processing a more conceptual idea; poses and settings which are unconventional; conveying different emotions; dressing up in costume; moving beyond documenting just your physical appearance. Above all, remember to enjoy the experience!

12th AUGUST: “Abandoned” Dictionary Meanings a. Deserted; forsaken b. Exuberantly enthusiastic c. Recklessly unrestrained, uncontrolled, uninhibited d. To give up; discontinue; withdraw As can be seen from the meanings above, abandoned is an evocative and emotionally laden word. In photography, for example, “abandoned” can be conveyed and captured in the often eroded elegance, grunge-ridden and dilapidated architecture of a disused building. It can also be a way of chronicling the past through imagery. A single object, and other remnants from days gone by, can act as a focusing point in what can be an otherwise chaotic environment. For example, highlighting small details of degeneration over time such as peeling paint, rust, cracked walls, rotten wood, cobwebs; objects such as toys, books, broken crockery, disconnected telephones; personal items such combs, coathangers, clothing. The atmosphere created by the architecture and objects of an abandoned building and captured through the lens of a camera, can be used to inspire the imagination of the viewer to recreate stories about the building’s past. Abandoned can also be applied to the living. For example, an exuberant child playing with ‘wild abandonment’; an uninhibited dancer or an abandoned pet at an animal shelter. UPCOMING THEMES: July – Self Portrait August – Abandoned September – Street Style October – Childhood Memories – past and present November – Low Light

Of course, every exhibition night also includes an open section for images of your own choice. Don’t forget to check the website for the rules for exhibitions, such as image sizes, prints and digitals.

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Blue Mountains Photography Group June 2013

Interclub exhibition This is a combined event to be held at Lawson Bowling Club on Sunday 28th July.

Our images for exhibition are selected from our pool of both digital and printed images – yes, this is why they are kept or ‘borrowed’ after exhibition night. If you would like to attend this event and see what happens, ask at club.

3 Corners exhibition With only 3 clubs participating this year, we had considerably less images to admire, but the whole venture was interesting. Each year we exchange 30 images from each club – us, an American club and an English club.

As we would imagine with three geographically diverse localities, there were a great range of images to look at.

This was a great opportunity for members to discuss what makes an image good – from the aesthetic, technical and emotional aspects.

STOP PRESS: Results are just in: Blue Mountains Photographic Group – 412 points, Camera Club of Brevard – 454.5 points, Cannock Photographic Society – 474.3 points.

Five-way tie for first place images: Autumn Light (Guy Rogers, Cannock), Brown Lipped Snails (Mike Pearce, Cannock), Protea (Jeannie McInnes, Blue Mts), Where Can He Be (Carl Mason, Cannock), Winter Isolation (Peter Clark, Cannock), with close behind - Go Ahead Makeup My Day (George Bollis , Brevard).

BMPG we are:

Blue Mountains Photography Group The Secretary BMPG P.O. Box 352 Springwood 2777 Phone: (02)47513730 Email: info@bmpg.org.au Web Site www.bmpg.org.au Newsletter Jeannie McInnes jemci@me.com articles, information, photos

Your BMPG Committee are:

President – Greg Farmer

Vice President – Shirley Steel

Secretary – Robyn Cook

Treasurer – Anthony Judd

Public Officer – Ted Szafraniec

Minutes – Judy Thistleton-Martin

Member – Ann Dent

Member – Jeannie McInnes

Annual general meeting This is an important meeting in our calendar. It is a chance to hear how we are going, and to have some input.

The main business is the election of the committee. Unfortunately, after years of great service, our treasurer Anthony has decided to have a break, so there are vacancies on the committee for new faces and ideas. Talk to Greg at club night for further details.

And before you say how much you hate AGM’s, the business part of the night is always succinct and short …. and will be followed this year by Robyn Cook presenting some of her images and sharing her ideas.