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Images from last year...
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Jump To: 13th Jan: Judge's Interview - Gavin Blue 24th Jan: Judge's Interview - Tyson Wray 3rd Feb: Judge's Interview - Donna Bailey 10th Feb: Judge's Interview - Ross Calia 13th Jan: Judge's Interview - Gavin BlueFor over 20 years, Gavin's personal and creative approach has earned him a reputation of producing truly outstanding images for the advertising, editorial and corporate markets delivered with excellent customer service.Based in Melbourne, Gavin's clients include QANTAS, Telstra, Australia Post, Fonterra, Tourism Victoria, Suzuki, Singapore Power, Sunday Life Magazine, Financial Review Magazine, KPMG, National Australia Bank, Mercedes Trucks and Boeing to name a few. He is especially sought after for his People Photography. Subjects include CEO's of multinational companies, Politicians, Olympic Athletes, Actors, Celebrities and even Australia's Croquet Champion. Wanting to do more than just take pictures, Gavin was highly active in the professional association the Association of Australian, Commercial and Media Photographers (the ACMP). Pure Genius had a chat to Gavin about his inspirations, passion and thoughts regarding photography. He recently retired as the President for the ACMP after many years influencing photographers in the industry. His passion started out as a child and a defining memory was at a festival in Canberra. A truck full of Disney characters went past as part of a parade, but Gavin was too shy to step up and take a picture. Instead he got a photo of the truck as it was driving down the road with the back of all the characters. That was the first time he missed a photo, which has not happened a great deal since. He went to a nice private school, but wanted to attend a specific school with a good photography course. The school had a bad reputation, but after four months of pleading with his parents they gave in to his passion. A great teacher fostered that passion and his career path was laid out in front him. Since, he has worked in all aspects of the industry: corporate, editorial and advertising. Gavin always wanted to be involved and it was only natural that he landed the position as the President of the ACMP. How did you get into working with the ACMP? "It's a way to be part of a community. I always stick up my hands for things and it's a way to get information out there about best practices. Photography is so easy to get into now and there are a lot of people without the basic knowledge of operating a small business." Do you look out for other photographers' work? "I love to see what is happening in the world and what people get up to. Especially people who live around the world and make a living out of it. Photographers usually have their work and their personal expression separated, but there is a handful that makes a profitable business out of their personal expressions." Gavin loves photos of the ordinary through a unique view. "For someone to see something just a little bit different, you know? No matter what, your view is unique and photography is sharing your unique view. Its very intimate when someone shares that." When working on a shoot, Gavin wants to react and see his subjects react to the environment. If he has too much time, he will change it too much. The initial reaction to the surrounding environment is paramount. You are renowned for your people photography. How did this become your niche? "Technology has taken over so many areas of advertising and editorial and things like that, but one thing technology can never do is to deliver fresh pictures of people." Gavin also does truck photography and he loves working outside the studio with people and their stories. He finds it really rewarding working with people and runs a project of his blog called the Gratis Project. "It's just funny people who in their own quiet way makes a difference. There's this guy who, after the bushfires in Marysville, re-established a medical clinic there; a lady who worked in an orphanage; a Somali refugee who does community work. All people who give their time for free." Besides his work and the Gratis Project he helps run a charity that takes pictures of children who are critically ill. "These families are in such a swirl of emotions and distress that they don't think about capturing images for the future. So we send people to capture beautiful pictures for families to remember them by. It is incredibly rewarding." What would you like to see at the Pure Genius Exhibition? "I hope people will shoot what they really see and not what they think the judging panel wants to see. I would like to see an image with a unique concept and view behind it." Do you have any last advice for the contestants? "Yeah, don't worry. Submit something you really love." Thanks to Gavin Blue for his time. 24th Jan: Judge's Interview - Tyson WrayTyson Wray is the current Art Editor of Beat Magazine; a Melbourne based magazine that covers the cultural scene with all it entails in Melbourne, and recently celebrated their 25th anniversary. Tyson writes on all things music and art, and has a keen eye for contemporary details. His editorial skills will ensure sharp competition in selection of our 50 Pure Genius winners.Pure Genius had a one-to-one talk with Tyson about his thoughts on photography and art. He has always been a writing fiend, and started his career just after high school writing on the music scene for Beat and a lot of other magazines around the country. "I slowly moved more towards the art side of things as I became more and more professional and coherent with my pieces. That lead to more reviews and feature pieces, and being more emerged in the Melbourne art culture." Tyson grew up in a small town with a population of 9000. Football was the main activity, but Tyson saw the world a little bit different. His mother was a professional photographer and influenced him through her appreciation of beauty. She was a commercial photographer who shot the corporate world, portraits, weddings and the like. However, Tyson recalls her true passion being landscape. "When we were young we would travel around Australia and she would take us to all these amazing sites. She would take all these photos of the dust and sand dunes… I suppose the amazing thing about photography is that it can capture a still of any epoch in flee anywhere in the world, and forever have it open to interpretation." When Tyson goes to exhibitions he particularly notices pieces that can convey a very precarious display of emotions. "I'm taken aback by anything basic, primal or instinctive. Something that highlights the human condition has always appealed to me in art." In your professional opinion where do you see visual art heading? "The more technology seems to advance the more we seem to retract to our basics." One of Tyson's favourite photographers is the artist Yimmi Yayo, who is a contemporary photographer. Tyson loves his work, because it never tells him how to feel. Another one of Tyson's favourite photographers is his mother. In your opinion, what makes a good photo? "The ability to give multiple experiences, meanings and definitions out of life. I like things that are open to interpretation." What would you like to see in the Pure Genius Exhibition? "Passion. Passion is really all that matters no matter how professional you are." Do you have any final advice for our contestants? "Be completely sure why you are entering with the image you are entering. Be confident in your photo and be able to define why it is a wonderful piece." Thanks Tyson Wray for your time. 3rd Feb: Judge's Interview - Donna BaileyDonna Bailey is an awarded photographer, whose work has been exhibited all over Australia. She is also known as "a mom with a camera", because her career didn't start till she was 30 with three children. Her talent and inspiring story blew Pure Genius away. Read her story and advice right here.How did you get into photography? "I had always loved photography and I had an SLR camera from when a teenager, but it wasn't until I was at University (I was then a mother of three young children and had just turned 30) that I had the opportunity to study photography formally. I started an undergraduate course in photojournalism, moved through the various courses on offer and later completed a Master of Visual Arts and most recently a PhD. My PhD looks at the relationship between the child subject, photographer and the (central Victorian) landscape." She has had her work displayed in various galleries around Australia. Galleries include the National Gallery of Victoria, Monash Gallery of Art and Bendigo Art Gallery to mention a few. How did you manage to get your work exhibited in so many galleries? "I started exhibiting in 1999. The first time was at the Centre for Contemporary Photography in Fitzroy in the "CCP, Leica Documentary Exhibition and Award". This was a travelling exhibition and it just went from there really. I have had some wonderful opportunities and met great people along the way who have been very enthusiastic and supportive of my work." Donna is now part of the art-house movement Oculi. It is a virtual space, which portrays the social as well as the physical landscape of Australia. What was the motivation to join Oculi? "Living in regional Victoria as compared to living in Melbourne or Sydney has many benefits but one downfall is the lack of opportunity to have regular contact with peers. Around 2006, Oculi asked for formal applications from photographers to join the collective, they were looking for three new members. I applied and was successful." In your opinion, what makes a good photo? "Mmm, there are lots of answers to that question. For me, I like a photo that for one reason or another just takes your breath away when you first look at it. Photography can be a very powerful medium of expression and this is what I love most about it." What are some of your favourite photographers and why? "I have many. I have always admired the work of Nan Goldin because of the reasons I just cited above. I also have many favourites in Australia - I really admire the work of Anne Ferran because it is so complex and thoughtful. Many of the Oculi photographers, past and present have also made significant works that I just love. Dean Sewell's burnt Kangaroo, Canberra, 2003 comes to mind as does Andrew Quilty's Untitled (Man) from his Anzac day series." What would you like to see in The Pure Genius Exhibition? "A variety of styles that demonstrate a thoughtful and considered approach to the subject matter." Do you have any advice for our contestants? "Just to use their best editing skills. There is nothing worse than too much of the same thing." Thank you, Donna Bailey. 10th Feb: Judge's Interview - Ross CaliaThe fourth judge in the Pure Genius Exhibition is Ross Calia. Ross is a multi-talented artist working with both music and photography. Pure Genius is very excited about having him on the judging panel. Read about his passion, inspiration and his thoughts on photography right here.How did you get into photography? "I've always had a love for photography, and although my earliest years of arts practise were devoted purely to music, I really couldn't resist incorporating visual media into my work; working with a camera just felt completely natural. The many years spent exploring the dynamics of composition and sound provided a foundation to how I interpret the world through the lens." What is the inspiration behind your photos? "When I'm shooting for a client, my inspiration comes via the collaborative process; understanding a client's vision, problem solving, working with a range of people and their needs – it's a high-energy creative state that is absolutely addictive." Working with several art forms allows Ross the opportunity to work on a variety of projects and collaborations. When he is not working with both local and international clients, he shoots for his own private portfolio. "When I shoot for myself, it's a slower-paced, often contemplative and largely observational way of working, to the point where the whole process feels meditative. Shooting my personal work helps me reconnect to the world around me." Ross has won several awards in the industry including two consecutive wins at the Kodak Salon. Most recently his work has appeared in the Aesthetica International Creative Works Annual in 2012. Why do you think you have managed to win so many awards? "I can only assume that where I've had success, my work has managed to meaningfully connect with the viewers." In your opinion what makes a good photo? "I expect that I may never be able to answer this question. As a practicing artist for the greater part of my life, I continually find that I am surprised by the kind of work that captivates me. A good photo, in my eyes, offers me something new, and something I can't help but be drawn to." What are some of your favourite photographers? "A difficult question to answer without going on and on...but to mention one that stands out recently is Vivian Maier – an amazing story and a sublime body of work that is still being uncovered." What would you like to see at the Pure Genius Exhibition? "I would like to see artists presenting work they truly believe in on a personal level." Do you have any final advice for our contestants? "To submit work they feel passionate about, and to enjoy the opportunity to view and learn from the work presented by fellow artists." Thank you Ross Calia for your time. |
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