My Photography

About Me

I have been a keen amateur photographer for many years. Over those years I have developed a fairly cosmopolitan approach to the art. I say art deliberately because I really believe that if you rise above the purely mechanical aspects of photography and use the available tools and processes creatively to visually communicate your ideas then it is art. During the time I have been involved with photography it is interesting to note how there has been a change in the acceptance of the art of photography. I can well remember going to art galleries and not seeing any photography on display, so different to today when many major art galleries have regular photographic exhibitions and some have permanent displays.

As well as actually photographing I have also acted as a judge and evaluator of photography, serving on judging panels to an international level and I am often invited to give lectures and demonstrations on various photographic topics. I find these aspects of photography most rewarding and an opportunity to give back something worthwhile to a pastime that has given me much enjoyment.

I have been a member of Lane Cove Creative Photography for many years and have acted as President of that group for several terms. I have in the past been President of the Federation of Camera Clubs NSW and the Sydney International Exhibition of Photography. I have been awarded Life Membership of Lane Cove Creative Photography and have also been given a State Service (SSAP) award by the Australian Photographic Society and an Exceptional Service Award (FCCESA) by the Federation of Camera Clubs NSW.

To me photography is about communication. It about using the visual language of photography to communicate your ideas to your viewers. Ideas that can be a narrative that relates a story, or ideas that are informative and explain a point of view. Photography can also be evocative in that the viewer is moved or feels something - happiness, peace, anger, love or any other emotion.

Photography is also about recording or documenting society and its values, events and history. In this form photography is capable of influencing public opinion.

In all of its forms photography must be engaging. It must require the viewer to look and read the message. Without such engagement there can be no communication.