Last year I was approached by the board of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) to join the board and undertake the organisation of their first national conference.

I love a challenge and I have never been one to watch others do the work so I agreed and have been giving every spare moment to ensuring it will be a landmark event- actually that is its branding name THE EVENT.

As it has evolved and momentum developed THE EVENT has now become an international event with speakers and delegates from USA, New Zealand and Asia attending with a half million dollar budget..... and it has become bigger than Ben Hur.

Novotel Brisbane recently undertook an upgrade on their reception and bar area, we were commissioned to create a series of images that reflect the quality, style and additional space created.


As an established venue in a high traffic business precinct finding a time when these areas were not being used and at the same time coincided with lighting and talent requirements was not possible, as a solution we chose digital technologies with a dose of lateral thinking to create the images that reflect the brief.

This reception shot is a combination of 6 images, while it was being shot I estimate that no fewer than 100 guests walked through the frame or in front of the camera. The image on the right gives a feel for what it really looked like.

Additional images from the same project.

A bit like the tech boom of the 90s the boom in technology advancement with digital cameras over the last 5 or so years just keeps getting better. The race for more megapixels in cameras is now being refined to better performance under all conditions.

To keep pace with these advancements and offer our clients a complete range of digital options we have just purchased Nikons latest professional end camera the D3S, this will be the Nikon flagship at the Winter Olympics.

It has a multitude of features that will bore everyone to tears but its strongest and unique feature is its ability to work at very low light levels with exceptional results.

Showing examples of this on the net is a bit subjective as it has always been possible to take photographs in low light, camera on tripod, everyone stand still for 2 seconds and the picture looks great.

The only way I could think to demonstrate the low light performance of this camera
was by taking this picture. It is taken at 7.30 p.m. the people are power walking down the street and I am walking at the same pace behind them shooting hand held, For the tech heads the shutter speed was 1/60 of second ISO 12800

This picture was also hand held 8.00pm the background is the moon glistening on the ocean.This now compliments our existing medium format and DSLR digital cameras to offer performance at every level.









It also shoots Hi definition Video as well, more on that next news letter.

We also purchased the latest in wide angle lens technology, the proof is in the pudding with this shot taken for Riviera Marine of their 5800 sports yacht. This is an extreme wide angle yet there is none of the fisheye distortion that you would normally expect.

Over the past few years changes in both technology and work practice have meant that we have all had to adapt to change in our business, keeping abreast of latest technology and its impact on how we work is essential to our business efficiency.

The Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) has just released The Why, Who and How Book a clients guide to commissioning commercial photography.

Written by 6 of the countries leading commercial photographers the aim of the book is to demystify photographic technology, answer some FAQs, establish some ground rules for briefing photographers and assessing quotes and generally help clients feel more comfortable about commissioning and working with Commercial photographers.

When it comes to photography the changes in technology and the associated work flow that we have experienced over the past 5 or 6 years are nothing in comparison with what we will experience over the next 5 or so years.

If you would like a copy of this book let me know and I will send you one with my compliments- hey its almost Christmas take it as an advance gift.

Permissions and clearances -Working in Public places

A few months ago I posted a story on the pros and cons of working in the public domain. The Australian Copyright Council have just published a book on the same subject for more details http://www.copyright.org.au/publications/books/b132.htm

Book Review

Seeing that we are on publications I have just finished reading a book on China that I would recommend to any one who wants an insight into the mindset of modern China. It is a factual account and follows the lives of 5 Chinese students from their earliest recollections of their survival during the Cultural Revolution through to their lives in modern china.

For me this was definitely a case of judging a book by its cover, my wife was engrossed in it and when I asked what it was about the subject sounded as interesting as a grave diggers instruction manual. Yet when I started reading it and realised the power of the stories and the unique personal insight - I simply could not put it down.

The book is called Chinese Lessons by John Pomfret. He was one of the first overseas students to be allowed to study at Nanjing University in 1980. The stories are those of his classmates who only 4 years prior had struggled for a basic education and existence as the Cultural Revolution came to an end. He was a first hand witness to Tiananmen Square and was expelled from china because of his involvement. He has since been allowed to return.

His continued friendship with his classmates as they progress from students to business people and government / party officials makes this one of the most unique insights into the mindset and culture of modern day China.

they tend to keep their designs symmetrical. Certainly if it is designed that way a builder will construct it symmetrically.

So I guess, as a photographer if those professionals can get it right so should we.

Controlling perspective in an image is a tool that photographers have had since the early 20^th century and today there are even more tools that allow a photographer to control perspective in the majority of instances.

There will always be instances where for the sake of art or graphic design photographers will break those rules, in some circumstances deliberately adding distortion can make a not so interesting product look much stronger, but we should not use this as an excuse to forgo the basics of architectural photography and maintaining the integrity of the original design.

As a standard work practice I correct any distortion unless I feel emphasising it will give the client a stronger image.

Winter is nearly upon us, and with it comes the two essential ingredients for spectacular aerial photography, clear air (no smog or haze) and blue skies. As odd as it may sound in reality we get about 12 perfect days in a year for aerial photography. They are days when there is zero pollutants in the air, sun without cloud and very light winds keeping the ocean flat and smooth.



We will be conducting Cost Shared Aerial Photographic Runs over the next two months on days that match the above conditions. Should you have any requirement in or near to the areas listed below, please advise us as soon as possible.

Savings are achieved by combining the overheads for helicopter hire, photography and supply of images.

So that covers when to take an aerial the more important question is what makes a good aerial, the simple answer is creative angle and creative lighting. An aerial photograph can be a lot more than a blanket look at an area which contains a property you want to market, it should be the property you want to market with the surrounding area in the back ground.

Your property should be the first thing noticeable in the photograph and should not need any lines or arrows to show where the property is.





For the adventurous selecting a creative time of day with stunning lighting can create an image that stands out from the crowd.


We will be conducting aerial photography in these areas

Noosa Coolum Maroochydore Nambour Sippy Downs
Mooloolaba Kawana to Caloundra Pelican Waters

I have lost track of the amount of jobs I have had to re-shoot because a staff member has left a business or some one used in a photograph no longer wants their image associated with a product.

For whatever reason relationships can sour and while good intentions at the time of photography can create that euphoric feeling of permanent harmony. Life and reality can be different.

The simple solution is a model or talent release, a simple document signed by the model and the client that spells out the details of the photography and usage of the images.

I detailed in a previous article that there is no copyright on the human image, photographing someone is not a problem but using that photograph in a commercial situation should be done with caution.

I have no intention of going into the wording or finer details save 3 important and often overlooked facts.

1. It must be in writing.
2. It must be signed by both parties before the photograph is taken.
3. There must be an exchange of value; you have to give the model something. The giving part can come after the photography but the agreed consideration has to be in place before. That can be money, a free print, a night at a resort, a bottle of wine whatever both parties are happy with.
While a model release can exist without these 3 items, and do in a lot of cases, ultimately it can be challenged if the model decides at a later date that you are not their favourite person or some reality TV program shows a model earning $20k a day.

We are always happy to help clients with further advice and supply sample releases however we always recommend you seek independent advise.