LOVELY FOTOFREO SHOWS
I had a look at a couple of FotoFreo shows and will see many more over the next weeks, but what I did see was pretty good. Alma Sarhan‘s show Melodic Tapestry at Kulcha are black and white studio portraits of artists, musicians and dancers who perform at the venue. It is solid and competent work.
I really like the show at the Tropicana Cafe. It’s a group show titled KIN. The majority of photos there are also in B&W. It feels like a show by younger people, and there is some very good photography there. I specifically liked Rinto Sulong‘s photos of the Mah Song people of Tesangan Gin Je. Graig Bush has some delightful colour portraits.
Both shows are well worth a visit. It is important that many people see FotoFreo shows, as it takes a huge effort from mainly volunteers to organise and hang it all, and for many shooters this is their first show. Support the artists and leave them some feedback if you like their work!
Roel Loopers
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NOT DROWNING, SHOOTING!
There are people walking with their head in the clouds, but my mate and fellow photographer Glen Cowans is the opposite. He likes to have his head under water, partly because it drowns out the sound of the chattering masses, I think.
Glen is doing a FotoFreo presentation on underwater photography, so below the details. To see Glen’s work you can walk up to his gallery next to Fremantle‘s historic Round House, or check out his website.
Roel Loopers
Introduction to Underwater Photography
Presenter: Glen Cowans
Glen Cowans is a unique and passionate photographer. His inspiration, the ocean and his subjects are the breathlessly beautiful life forms that live there. Born in W.A., he developed his passion for the ocean and all that it holds when he began snorkelling at the age of 10. Self taught, his interest in photography began in his early twenties, but in 1994 when he commenced SCUBA diving, it became his passion.
Today, after 36 exhibitions, a coffee table book and with his iconic “Studio at the Roundhouse” in Fremantle, Cowans is bridging the gap between photography and art. Cowans’ work offers viewers an experience, one where we can contemplate the wondrous life found in our underwater world. His lens is our microscope, exposing colour and species with a complexity often invisible to the naked eye. His works to date have been warmly welcomed into contemporary and traditional spaces alike.
Course Description:
Obtain an insight into the practicalities and difficulties of photography underwater. You will gain an understanding of what happens to colour and what simple techniques can you use to get the most out of taking a photo underwater. Find out what are the easiest methods to get the best shot and if you are going to purchase equipment, what are the main accessories that are a “Must Have”. Share some of the experiences and wonders Glen Cowans and his videographer wife, Louise, have witnessed underwater.
The seminar will include a slideshow of imagery and wonderful stories from under the sea.
Topics Covered:
- equipment for under the sea
- colour drop out and water depth
- strobing below the waves
Date: Wednesday, 28 March, 2012
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Venue: Fremantle Arts Centre, Room 15
Places Available: 40
Full Price: $40.00 per place
Mates Rates: $30.00 per place
Book on FotoFreo website!
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SHOW THE WORLD YOUR WORLD!
This is a brilliant project I will definitely take part in here in Fremantle, so for you out there, take up the challenge and show the world your world!
Capture daily life on May 15th 2012
On this one single day we ask you to pick up your camera and help us photograph daily life. What is close to you? What matters to you? We will connect your images to those of millions of others around the world, creating a unique online experience where photographs will be shared, compared and explored. Your view on life will be preserved to inspire generations to come.
But why?
Our mission is to use the power of photography to create, share and inspire perspectives on daily life – today and tomorrow.
And who are you?
This project is initiated by the Swedish non-profit foundation Expressions of Humankind and supported by a highly respected global advisory council and a special scientific council.
Who can join?
Professionals, amateurs, school children, farmers, social media fans, astronauts, office workers and you. Cell phone camera, Hasselblad, home made or borrowed. We are looking for the perspective of everyone who enjoys photography.
What will happen to the photos?
All images will be displayed online for you and everyone to explore. Some of them will be selected for a book, A Day In the World, to be published in November 2012, others shown in digital exhibitions. Every single one will be saved for future research and inspiration. The photos will never be used for commercial purposes. They will always be treated with care and respect. Should your photo be selected to feature in a book, we will try to contact you beforehand.
Why should I join?
Because you love photography. Because you have something to say. Because your life matters. Because the idea of doing something together with millions of others is thrilling. Because you like the thought of saving a little something of yourself for generations to come. Because your take on daily life is part of a much bigger picture.
To find out more about this exciting project, go here: www.aday.org
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FREMANTLE URBAN ART
The banality of urban streetscapes is something I find fascinating. Is it plain ugly or is there also beauty in it, or might it even become art when photographed? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course and it might depend on one’s mood if one is intrigued or annoyed by it. The oxymoron pretty ugly probably sums it up best.
I took these photos this morning around Fremantle as I was trying to walk off a hangover after a spontaneous party last night. The hangover is still there, but I got some interesting shots I believe.
Roel Loopers
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FOTOFREO COMPETITION
WA Life photographic competition
FotoFreo has announced the inaugural WA Life photographic competition, which is expected to become a regular event in future Festivals. The theme of the competition is to capture an aspect of life in Western Australia – living in WA; at work in WA; in our leisure time in WA, and so on.
For FotoFreo 2012 there will be a prize pool valued at $10,000 and the First Prize will be $5,000 cash. Other prizes will include The Runner Up and a Popular Choice. The WA Life competition is open to professional photographers, students, and enthusiasts.
There will be an entry fee of $50 per photographer and for which up to three entries may be submitted.
Entries close at 5pm Western Australian time on Sunday the 29th of January, 2012.
Visit http://www.fotofreo.com/competition/wa-life-photographic-competition
CHRISTIAN FLETCHER SIMPLY THE BEST!
Congratulations to Western Australian photographer CHRISTIAN FLETCHER for winning the Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year 2011.
Christian has been a consistent performer over many years and has had great success with his galleries in Busselton and Bunbury. I think there might be others, but I don’t know the location of them.
There is no greater honour than being acknowledged by one’s peers and this one is well deserved. Good on you Christian!!
Roel Loopers
PERTH’S TERRIFIC TAFE
This morning I went on a location search for a photo shoot I have to do in Perth, and while walking around for three hours in the heat, I decided to take some photos of the new CENTRAL TAFE buildings in Northbridge.
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PHOTOS COPYRIGHT ROEL LOOPERS PROFILE PHOTOGRAPHY
HAMMERING THE JAZZ CLUB
Great session at the Fremantle Jazz Club with delightful Libby Hammer today. No matter how high quality recorded music is, it can never replace live performances.
Can someone please change the colour on that awful cold spotlight you put on the faces of the main performers, so I can get better photos. Thank you!
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COMMUNITY MEAN GAZETTE
One has to question the Fremantle Gazette calling itself a community paper. Time and time again this “community” paper ignores what is going on in Fremantle. We hardly ever get reports or photos on events that happen on the weekends. I assume this has to do with the paper’s deadline and possibly because they don’t want to pay reporters and photographers to do weekend assignments.
Isn’t it amazing that this “community” paper has not mentioned the success of the Concert for Pakistan, organised by a handful of committed Fremantle people and Oxfam, while our real and very supportive community paper the Fremantle Herald gave it a full page of photos, and free advertising to promote the event. It is not as if the Fremantle Gazette did not have access to photos of the concert. I emailed them four photos last Wednesday, well in time to meet the paper’s deadline. The concert raised over $ 15,000.00 by the way for the flood victims in Pakistan.
It annoys me that the Gazette does not think it is important to report on things that happen in Fremantle. Thousands of people flocked to the Blessing of the Fleet on the weekend. No photos in this “community” newspaper today, while even the West Australian published a photo of it yesterday.
On the other hand the Herald gives so much of free advertising to local community groups, like the Hulbert Street Sustainability Fiesta and Fremantle Chamber Orchestra, to name just a few.
I know which paper I rather give my support to, and have on many occasions. I am always happy to donate my photos to the Fremantle Herald, to support my local community, because that is what they do as well. The sentiment is in the word community. Maybe someone at the Gazette can look it up in a dictionary.
Roel Loopers
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