I was recently commissioned to photograph and prepare some advertisements for Archer and Holland Jewellers in Adelaide, South Australia. So often photographing people and landscapes, it is always an interesting challenge to switch into the ‘Macro World.’ Admittedly however, the challenge is made easier by the fact studio environments can be controlled and with patience, replicated and perfected. These images took a long time to produce but I am very pleased with the results.

Meet Dominika. This is my Polish non-related sister. Dom and I have known each other for several years now and every time we are together, it is nothing but laughter and fun. It is pretty self evident that Domskie is extremely photogenic and as such, I have wanted to do a shoot with her for a very long time; only problem is that it has been very difficult to knuckle down a time with her. In the end, I basically had to go to her house with my camera and the adamance we are shooting. After a bit of persuading Dominika agreed to a quick shoot and by quick I mean we shot for about 20 minutes. Considering the time frame, I think we got some great shots. I did feel the pressure of having little time and in turn there are a few things I would have done differently but all in all I am really stoked with these images.

Domskie is one of those girls that make my job a pleasure. There was no need for direction what so ever and I was left with simply focusing on looking through the viewfinder.

Muchos Love Domonika – 6 Peka !!

This is a glimpse into Melbourne. A couple of weeks ago, I spent a few hours walking the streets of Melbourne with my 5D and the Canon EF 28mm 1.8. I chose to shoot with one lens so that a.) I could focus on shooting, rather than being distracted by lens choice and b.) so the outcome would be made cohesive by a common focal length.

When using a prime lens there is always a forced submission to your surroundings, a type of systematic deliberation on how to effectively compose or crop an image, which in turn, I believe results in a more thought out approach. The 28mm is a great lens to use on a full frame because you get a very wide angle, whilst still being able to achieve a very shallow depth of field.

I listened to Kings of Convenience for the entire walk and had a variety of different light in the three hours of shooting. Hope you like the set.

On the 26th of November 2011, Anthea and Alex married at Trinity Church in Kew, Melbourne, Australia. Interestingly, the service in Australia was one of three services the couple were to have; the other two being back home in Malaysia. It was for this reason, Anthea requested me for the ceremony only, with a few shots prior and post the service. From the get go, I knew this would be a challenge. As a photographer, who approaches weddings in a very photo-journalistic and unobtrusive manner, it is all the interstitial moments leading up to the wedding and throughout the entire day that I enjoy. For this reason, I had a level of reservation and anxiety in regards to providing the couple my usual style. Ordinarily spending an entire day with a couple, the two hours I spent in total seemed more like half an hour but things went smoothly and both myself and the couple are pleased with the results we were able to achieve in such a short amount of time.
Congratulations to Alex and Anthea on their first wedding of three…

As an architect and a photographer and for all intensive purposes an artist, I find the sharing of my photography and more specifically the rigorous process of choosing what I share increasingly difficult. My subject matter is constantly changing, dependant on mood, availability and sometimes accepted commissions. Through the use of mainly this ‘blog’ my photography has become oriented around projects, communicating an idea through more than a solitary image. Done with merit, showcasing a series of images or executing a single image both pose their own difficulties and must be approached in a disparate fashion. Most importantly the knowledge of this should be well known prior to shooting because it is this awareness that gives the ability to exercise sagacity in the given process.
The below small project was initially conceived to comprise several shots rather than only three. I forced myself to take time with this project, spanning the shots over several days, exploring the types of shots envisaged in my mind’s eye, however in the end I simply could not justify using shots I was not completely happy with. Often prior to capturing an image, I already know how I want it to look, not only S.O.C but post-processing included. When I fail to achieve my predetermined idea, I do one of two things; I discern there is an alternate and propitious way of realising the scene than initially imagined or I simply erase the photo disappointed with my inability to formulate an idea.

Another shoot with Adriana. I have had the idea of shooting in this location for quite a while and was pleased to finally get the opportunity to shoot here. All these shots were a combination of the sublime 70-200mm 2.8II and surprisingly, the el-cheapo 50mm 1.8. My 50mm 1.4 stopped auto focusing some time ago and I have not yet replaced the prime. Adriana had the little 1.8 in her bag and I ended up using it for a lot of the shots. For the 80 odd dollars you can pick this lens up for, the sharpness, clarity and bokeh always surprise me. Generally the bokeh is pretty good but were this lens fails is definitely in specular highlights. Background highlights appear harsh and very sharp at the edges, although this is fairly easy to eliminate with some post, if a creamier bokeh is what you’re going for that is…

A recent project that was completed by the firm that I work for: Smith and Tracey Architects…

The process of capturing images in time is not only something I enjoy doing but is also conducive to personal therapy. We are all faced with challenges in our lives and it is these very challenges that sadden us, deprive us and yet ultimately strengthen us. We are made to love and fear, laugh and cry, remember and forget but sometimes we do not forget, sometimes we continue through our lives touched and in perpetual remembrance of a particular person. I have spent many days contemplating this particular post and the intrinsic nature of the very photos. At a time where I am utterly suffused with sadness, is there a correct or perhaps more appropriately incorrect manner to deal with matters paradoxical of life.
These photos were taken within the last week over several days spent in Geneva, Switzerland. On the 4th of July, 2011, my beautiful mother tragically passed away. Each of these images were taken in the days following her funeral. They are images I will never forget, they explicitly remind me of the moments shared with my father. They serve for me not only memory of the earliest days of a different life but juxtapose tragedy and loneliness with opportunity and beauty.
In my heart mum, you will live forever…