Apparently I “Wang”

Last week I attended Guy Gowan’s Creative Retouching Seminar in Auckland. He showed us tips on how to go beyond the set tools that photoshop provides and use different techniques to create better images. Instead of “wanging” the dodge, burn, hue tools etc he showed us ways to do these techniques in a non-destructive and more precise way using channels, calculations, groups and masks. I have never used channels like that before so it was quite eye opening. I have tried these out and it has already saved me so much editing time. Once you understand the process and put them into actions it becomes so simple. Check out his website for tour dates and on-line tutorials  http://www.guygowan.com/

It’s been a busy few weeks. Carmen and I attended the Localist event on the 19th showing off MissTpinups. We took photos of the guests then showed them a few tricks to pretty up their photos. It was a very cool event.

Mala and I have shot several events over the past two weeks. The Crown graduation,  a burlesque show, as well as several pinup shoots, products, a fashion shoot and attended various meetings around the north island. Now onto editing everything!

It was a nice surprise this morning to find out one of our images of Angie Pontani made it onto the cover of PinCurl Magazine. Check out the other images and article on Angie here http://pincurlmag.com/angie-pontani 

As promised, here are a few shots from Angeline and Duncan’s weddings. Photography by Mala and Haydn, editing by Talia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Week 9 – 15 May

Lots of event photography this week for the lovely ladies of Acumen Republic. One at Mantell’s on the Water and the other two at a secret location. Events are great. Even though there are particular images you need to take you can still get creative. I took quite a few panoramic stitching images which worked out nicely.

Wednesday was my first NZIPP meeting as Chair. We got to hear from 3 photographers from the new committee about their work – Gino, Luci and Chris. Very inspirational. We have two exciting events coming up in June. The opening night of the Iris Awards Exhibition 8th June, 7pm, Vero Centre. A collection of the top scoring prints of last year’s competition. There are amazing images from some of the top photographers in New Zealand. It is well worth checking out. On 14th June we have an extra nzipp meeting featuring Michel Perrin on ‘How to take your images to the next level’. He has 27 awards in New Zealand and has achieved the prestige of  ’Master’ and ‘Fellow’ with the NZIPP. This meeting is not to be missed if you are considering entering the Iris awards or if you just want to get more out of your images.

This week we also had our 6 monthly trip down to Wellington with Debonaire Doos and MissTpinups. So many gorgeous and creative pinups. It’s always a pleasure to visit Wellywood. Our first pinup of the shoot Nini, modelled some of her hand crafted jewellery and also gave me a lovely ring from her Things Unseen range. Adore!

The Debonaire girls along with Miss Burlesque NZ 2010 and I felt like a bit of fresh air and strolled down to this cute cafe on Dixon St for a quick cuppa. Spot the hotties!

The styled shoots we did this time round included steampunk, Hollywood starlet, boudoir, military, burlesque, cutesy pinup, poodles, parasoles and feathers flying everywhere. So much fun – looking forward to the next one in November.

My Week 25th April – 1st May

Can you believe it’s May already? The weather certainly does. Even though it was cold on Saturday it was still a beautiful day for Angeline and Duncan’s kiwi wedding. Mala and Haydn were shooting again. Photos coming soon.

Another recent shoot for Mala and Haydn was Rebecca and Lukas wedding held at Mantell’s on the Water. They are a stunning couple and we wish them all the very best for their future together!

This week my shoot with Nadia from Master Chef and her fiancée Carlos appeared in Woman’s Day Magazine. We had a stunning day at Western Springs shooting the gorgeous couple.

I also attended Miss La Vida’s fundraiser to go to Las Vegas. It was appropriately held at Las Vegas club on K’Rd. So many beautiful burlesque performers graced the stage. It was a fantastic night!

Feeling Bloggy

It’s been a few weeks since my last blog so there is plenty to write about.

Probably the most exciting news for me this week is that I have just been voted in as the Chairperson for the Auckland Region of the NZIPP (NZ Institute of Professional Photographers). The NZIPP is the only qualifying body for professional photographers in New Zealand. It’s such an honour and I am really looking forward to taking on this new role and working with a fantastic executive team.

I photographed another Classic Champagne Night presented by Miss La Vida. The burlesque performers were amazing as usual. The stand out performer of the evening for me was Deryn French (not sure of her stage name) who did a cute candyman number on the pole.

Speaking of Miss La Vida – she is the first kiwi ever to be invited to perform at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.  She is having a fundraising event on 29th April. See her facebook page for details.

We have finished shooting the Westfield 277 Best Dressed List. So many stylish shoppers! It’s fun telling people they look hot. You can be a fashion critic by voting for your favourite look at

http://fashion.westfield.co.nz/fashion/centres/newmarket/thebestdressedlist/index.html

For Woman’s Day magazine I photographed the gorgeous starlets of Shortland Street for the new winter promo. I will upload photos as soon as they are released.  I also photographed the story below of Jamie who lost 60kgs.

Mala & Haydn photographed Angeline and Duncan’s Indian wedding over the weekend in Hamilton. Such a stunning couple. The colours of the saris, outfits and the room were amazing. They get to do it all over again at their kiwi wedding which will be held next week in Auckland. Why have one wedding when you can have two:o) Photos to follow shortly.

My Week 21 – 27 March

Last week I finished editing our shoot of the Palmerston North Hospital for James Halstead Flooring. They have just installed a new innovation in flooring. I believe it’s the first of it’s kind in the world. I’ve been using this great panoramic/stitching program called PTGui which is fantastic. A bit of adjusting is always needed when stitching photos but overall I find the quality to be great and it’s very user friendly.

It was also the New Zealand Fashion Festival last week. Dave and I went along to the Friday show at Shed 6. Below are a few shots from the evening. It still baffles me as to why models think it’s cool to blow kisses at the end of the runway! Am I the only one who finds it annoying? In a burlesque performance – Yes! Runway -No!

We have also starting shooting for the Westfield 277 Newmarket – Best Dressed List promotion.  Check out their website for more detail:

http://westfield.co.nz/newmarket/specialoffers/TheBestDressedList.html

My Week 14-20 March

I was kept busy with several MissTpinups shoots last week. Mala and I attended the NZIPP monthly meeting where we did a wedding photographer workshop hosted by Steve Sharp a renowned wedding photographer. There was a Bride and Groom model and we were taken through lighting techniques, angles and scenarios to improve our shooting skills. I learned a lot and Steve was a great inspiration. Photos of the event can be found here.

I was involved in a product fashion shoot for a kiwi designer – love their belts and handbags *drool* I will post photos once they are released.

A highlight last week was the Michelle Yvette exhibition held at the FHE Gallery on Kitchner Street. Michelle showcased her works from early on (University) right through to her current collections. My fiancée and I both enjoyed seeing an insight into her creative process and the work that goes into the design, fabrics, colours and looks to create her stunning lines. Oh, look at that wonderful lookbook! I wonder who shot that? Hehe:o) More photos from that event can be found here.

We also attended the new Champagne Room burlesque night produced by MissChief Events. Such an entertaining night. The girls did a great job. Loved Honey L’Amour’s balloon act and Miss La Vida’s Italian president act – so funny! More photos here.

www.photobiz.co.nz

www.misstpinups.co.nz

Falling Man

A fellow photographer recently asked the question “What is your favourite photo and why?” The first image that came to mind was ‘falling man’. A disturbing but brilliant image shot by Richard Drew of a man falling from one of the twin towers on 9/11. There was so much controversy over this image at the time it was first published.

Esquire describes it  ”In the picture, he departs from this earth like an arrow. Although he has not chosen his fate, he appears to have, in his last instants of life, embraced it. If he were not falling, he might very well be flying.”

Read more: http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0903-SEP_FALLINGMAN#ixzz17enunh9p

It seems to me to be very peaceful but lonely. An amazing example of photojournalism.

Wow it has been a busy few weeks since my last blog. Wedding season has well and truly started, I photographed the red carpet for the VNZ Music Awards, shot Ronan Keating while he was here – managed to get him to take his jacket off and show us his tattoos hehe, lots of product photography….lots of clear cutting, got one of my photos on a massive billboard, shooting Hot Fashion Fridays at Albany mall, presented my work at the Auckland NZIPP October meeting, and enjoying the gorgeous weather we are having.

When is a photo no longer a photo?

Some people argue that photos these days are so over edited that they hardly resemble real life any more. So can they really be called photos when they are so heavily edited or ‘fake’ looking?

It seems ‘photography’ or capture is just a small part of the process now. I know most photographers at least do a few lighting adjustments before showing their work. It’s just the way it is. And with the technology we have why wouldn’t you want to experiment with different editing techniques.

Photography is about communicating an idea through imagery – it’s an art form. Art can be a combination of many different mediums so why not editing and retouching as well. Art and photography is subjective so really there are no limits or rules.

A photo is an ‘image created by light falling on a light sensitive surface’. So yes, it is still a photo – just someone’s interpretation of it.

Personally I think editing and retouching is just another expression of self and creativity. Plus…I love a bit of fake:o)

Awards

After being a member of the NZIPP for several years, I finally entered the Iris Awards. Glad I did as I came away with a bronze award for this image. Not bad for my first go. Gold next year I think:o)