Fragile

My work is a satirical reaction to everyday fashion magazines. I have friends involved in retouching images for magazines and they tell me about being instructed to; for instance, remove the creases from a models elbow joint, which I think is hilarious. I am responding to the plasticization of such figures, not in a critical way, though more playfully in reaction to this synthetic phenomenon. The images also make reference to various icons, with the people in the images being more like popular culture objects than humans.

Robi Watt

Robi started her career in 1979 as an Advertising Art Director / Graphic designer for agencies in Australia, Europe and Asia. Since 1998, she has worked as a director and producer on Television Commercials and documentaries in Adelaide, whilst being very much involved in the industry around Australia.

Robi has exhibited her work in 2005 and 2006.

Email: robiwatt@bigpond.com

Plastic Fantastics

My work is a satirical reaction to everyday fashion magazines. I have friends involved in retouching images for magazines and they tell me about being instructed to; for instance, remove the creases from a models elbow joint, which I think is hilarious. I am responding to the plasticization of such figures, not in a critical way, though more playfully in reaction to this synthetic phenomenon. The images also make reference to various icons, with the people in the images being more like popular culture objects than humans.

Brian Walker

Brian walker is a contemporary digital artist whose images explore and exploit the realm between fantasy and reality, recreating scenes that meld illustration and fashion with an element of surprise.

After studying Visual Arts at UWS Nepean for two years, he transferred to the Visual Communications degrees at UWS Macarthur. There he further focused on photography and was introduced to design and various creative concepts. Since then, Walker has worked in web design, advertising, concept art and more recently teaching visual arts and design at a high school.

Stemming from a passion for illustration to depict his ideas and concepts of surrealist landscapes and characters, Walker first began using photography as a tool to represent these ideas of the impossible within the believable context of photography. The discovery of Photoshop completely revolutionised Walkers work, enabling a progression that continues today of seamless illustration between reality and make believe.

Walker recently had his first solo exhibition at blank_space gallery in Surry Hills where his work was well received.

Email: walkercbrian@hotmail.com

Voyeur

Voyeur is an ongoing body of work inspired by Turn of the Century practices of “Voyeurism” and “Peeping Toms”. “The characteristic feature of a “Voyeur” is one that does not directly interact with the object of their voyeurism but instead observes the act from a distance by peeping through an opening or using an aid such as binoculars, mirrors etc.” Voyeurism may be tolerated or even appreciated if the people viewed are exhibitionists or are doing it for monetary gain. The attraction with curvaceous, scantily dressed women on post-cards and the images portrayed in old movies of suit clad men entering small cubicles to peep through a hole at women participating in various degrees of undress or at worse, still images simulating the erotic, have always interested and amused me.

Caroline Tilney

Caroline is currently studying a Diploma of Photography at Southbank Institute of Technology in Queensland. She has won many photographic awards and has had her work in various exhibitions since 2001.

Email: caroletfirma@hotkey.net.au

CREATIVITY: “Creativity is the defeat of habit by originality”

THIS BODY OF WORK WAS AN EXPERIMENT: To be individual and create a unique interpretation of an idea, using the camera as an extension of my mind.

The experimentation of mixing new technology with unconventional techniques, the practice of mixing surrealist principals in commercial advertising. Communication by ways of the subconscious. “The thought of stressing the subconscious or non-rational significance of imagery arrived at by automatism or the exploitation of chance effects, unexpected juxtapositions, etc.” To practice placing this way of thought into this age of technology, in a hi-end commercial practice. We are now in the era of digital. As Man Ray once discovered solarisation by a freak accident, we must continue to experiment and make mistakes, not being afraid to take risks and fail.

FREE YOUR MIND.

Juliet Taylor

After leaving Australia for a world trip at 19 years old, Juliet found her passion for photography in London, where she did her first photo shoot whilst studying dentistry.

On her return, she began her career working for Pixi photo, shooting school portraits, weddings and for a local model-search company. She also set up a small portrait studio at her house.

At 23, Juliet moved to Melbourne and met her photographic mentor, Eryk Fitaku. She describes the 3 years she was Fitaku’s assistant as photographic boot camp and says he gave her the software to be able to “see” the physicality of working in the industry, working on national and international campaigns.

This year, at 28, Juliet started her own company, Juliet Productions. In her second year in the commercial industry, she now works between Melbourne and Sydney for some of Australia’s largest clients.

Email: info@juliet.com.au
Website: www.juliettaylor.com.au

Little James

This photo essay is a story about a day in the life of the retro rabbit Little James.

Little James’ number one philosophy is to live for the moment and to appreciate the little things in life that makes him happy. The story was photographed in Melbourne during 4 months in 2006 and another story of Little James camping and going to the beach is planned for 2007. My goal with this project is to publish the story as a book in the near future and my wish is that people of all ages will take Little James to their heart.

Yenny Strömgren

Yenny was born in Sweden and studied photography, Visual Arts, Drama and English at the University of Wisconsin, Eau-Claire USA, as a 1 year scholarship, while she was in high school.

In 1998, Yenny completed a photography diploma ay Kulturama (TAFE) in Stockholm, Sweden, and in 2002, completed a Bachelor of Photography with Honours at James Cook University, Townsville, QLD.

Yenny worked as a photographers assistant from 2002 to 2004 and is currently working as a photographer in Melbourne. Her work has been exhibited many times since 1998 in both Australia and Sweden.

Email: yennyphoto@runbox.com
Website: www.yennyphoto.com

Dark Matters, Fitzroy, 2006

This series explores the theatrical possibilities inherent in the back lanes of one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs; Fitzroy – teeming with histories past and imagined. I have approached these spaces, urban atmospheres, as readymade sets. Each back lane provides its own unique arrangement of visual elements, including stencil art, signage, textures and materials.

The ‘set’ is dramatised by placing a series of stand-alone objects as the main character; and articulating with what is visually available in order to assemble an image. The choice of objects, many of which are from childhood, conjures a mystery and invites the viewer to elaborate their own dramaturgy or associations about what was or may be performed in those spaces.

Patrick Rodriguez

Patrick was born in Bogota, Columbia and has been living in Melbourne since 2002.

He had many exhibitions throughout 1998 and 1999 in Columbia and studied Fine Arts at the National University of Columbia in 2001. He is currently enrolled in Diploma of Arts, Applied Photography at RMIT.

Patrick has also been a photographer’s assistant since 2004.

Email: rophoto@alphalink.com.au

Through The Viewfinder

A Kodak Duaflex Twin Lens “bottom camera” acts as the viewing vessel for the images, this is pointed at the subject, the “contraption” a cardboard tube used for blocking stray light is placed over the viewing screen of the Duaflex and the Canon 20D “top camera” which holds a 50mm lens and a +4 close-up filter is aimed down through the “contraption” at the screen of the bottom camera – it’s the screen of the “bottom camera” that is captured with the 20D “top camera”.

The best thing about shooting this way is the inherent grunge factor, dust specks; edges of the images are rounded off due to the fact that the screen edges are this shape and shallow depth of field from the close-up filter. There is an element of Photoshop work done to the images, nothing altering only colour treatment, contrast and saturation.

Paul Pennel

After receiving his first camera at the age of 9, Paul has been passionate about photography. Later in life, he decided to take up photography as a full time career and completed the Photographic Certificate II course at Ultimo TAFE, Sydney in 2003. Paul then worked for Australian Associated Press for 5 years in the image department, and took on the occasional photographic press job for the same company.

In 2004 a move to Wollongong and working in a local camera store brought him the opportunity to work as an assistant to a full time photographer, he used his knowledge and skills in many aspects within studio and location work for some of the top selling magazines within Australia.

After 12 months of assisting, Paul decided that it was time to venture out on his own, and has taken more of an artistic approach to photography. He is currently selling his work at local markets.

Email: pennell@supernerd.com.au

Luminescence

My images are a journey through the intriguing and alluring world of flora. I have a deep admiration and respect for the natural environment, which began while growing up on a property in Tallangatta Valley. My Style evolved due to my desire to depict the unusual and wonder surrounding the anatomy of flora.

I use my award-winning skills in photomacrography to capture striking simplicity and bold forms, that exude motion and feeling. ‘Luminesence’ seeks to awaken viewers to the beauty of our natural environment. It urges the viewer to gain a deeper understanding of the structures of these plants and how important their role is in the environment.

I invite you to view ‘Luminesence’, a body of work detailing the majestic anomaly of flora.

Calista Lyon

Calista Lyon grew up on a beef property in Tallangatta Valley, North East Victoria. During secondary school Calista became heavily involved with Athletics, representing Australia in Discus at the World Youth Championships and the World Junior Championships. Calista decided to follow her interest in Athletics and moved to Melbourne in 2004, where she currently resides.

She studied in 2005/06 and completed a Diploma of Art in Applied Photography at NMIT. Calista’s determination and commitment to her photography has seen her win numerous awards, including the national award AIPP Student Photographer of the Year and NMIT Student Photographer of the Year. Calista currently works as a photography assistant and has worked with some of Australia’s leading photographers.

Email: calistalyonphotography@yahoo.com

Pumping Iron

For this photographic essay, I’ve followed the NABBA/WFF Amateur Bodybuilding Championship in Melbourne in September 2006. Bodybuilders in different shapes and sizes, from all over Australia, came together to test their strength, to compete against each other, in desperation to bring home the national championship title.

Bodybuilding is arguably one of the most controversial yet comical sports in history. But for participants, bodybuilding has become a lifestyle, considered an extreme sport where they can test their strength, courage and will, and yet not be afraid to show their feminine side throughout the whole competition. The juxtaposition between masculinity and vanity has made this larger than life sport a truly fascinating event for both participants and observers.

Billy Law

Billy Law, originally from Malaysia, now resides in Sydney, Australia. Billy has recently become a freelance digital interactive designer and photographer. A self taught photographer, Billy has been taking his passion in photography increasingly seriously over the last two years, with a fast growing portfolio.

Because of his oriental background and western influences, Law is able to provide a unique insight into the world around him and share it with an international audience.

Billy’s talent and determination in photography has won him a few major awards including DCMag Photographer of the Year 2006 (Animal Category), 1st runner up in Shutterbug 07 projection. He is also in the finalist of Head On Contemporary Portrait Prize 2008.

Email: figuromo@gmail.com
Website: www.billylaw.com.au

Goodfellows

From 2005 till September 2006 Anoek followed the behind-the scenes lives and work of Western and Asian erotic dancers who work at a discreet members club in Hong Kong near its famous night club area Lan Kwai Fong.

It is the only club in Hong Kong where international businessmen bring their customers in to enjoy the company of International pole dancers and hostesses. Six nights a week they are busy entertaining customers ‘til early morning hours and are faced with the difficulties of the industry.

‘Goodfellows’ has existed for many years but is going through tough times recently with business slowing down rapidly and girls having a hard time making the money they used to make 10 years ago.

Anoek de Groot

Anoek was born in the Netherlands and is now a documentary photographer based in Sydney. She has a background in Art with a degree in Graphic Art at the Royal Academy of Fine arts at The Hague, the Netherlands. After her degree she had a series of exhibitions, nominations and assignments.

Until 2001, Anoek worked as a freelance multi media designer in motion graphics in the Netherlands. She then began travelling Asia and Australia, working for herself as well as photographing and filming dancers. “The only way for me to be able to cover the life of erotic dancers in an intimate way is to live with dancers and explore it yourself.” Which is what she’s done since 2002 in Japan (Tokyo and Sapporo), Hong Kong and Australia (Melbourne and Sydney).

In 2003 Anoek studied photography at KvB institute of technology in North Sydney and in 2004 completed courses in photo assisting and photojournalism at the ACP in Sydney. Since then, she has been assisting photographers, and traveling to continue her own stories.

Email: contactanoek@hotmail.com
Website: www.anoekdegroot.com