I love photographing real life, but it has to have an artistic feel to it. I prefer when, for example, street shots almost looks like they are staged but aren’t. Those are in my own opinion the best ones. When you manage to pull out the beauty of real life, a mood, a happening and make it into art, something people would hang on a wall. Then you have done your work right.
Almost all of my work is in black and white. It’s not intentional; I always make one color and one black and white version of my images. Then, I decide which one speaks to me most, which one is best for the image. Obviously I almost always choose the black and white version. I just love the dynamics of it.
I have a need to do both artistic long exposure work and Raw documentary photography. It is a bit like Yin and Yang. It gives me balance, and both genres satisfy my photographical needs.
Dubai Time-lapse
Our member Gavin Whiteford sent in this link to a time-lapse video of a 28-hour period composed of 3359 individual photographs. The images were all shot from a single point in the city of Dubai.
100 Attractive Examples Of Still Life Photography
Our member Chris Joubert sent in this link to a collection of 100 photos billed as still life. Included are photos of creatures, landscapes, frozen motion and other subjects that don’t conform to a traditional definition of still life images, but they are worth a look anyway as there are some very interesting photos in there.
100 Attractive Examples Of Still Life Photography – StumbleUpon
6 New Year’s Resolutions Every Photographer Should Make in 2012
On her blog Mostly Lisa, Lisa Bettany writes,
Happy New Year Everyone! Every year I vow to become a better photographer. Last year I set some pretty lofty New Year’s resolutions for myself. This year I have very different plans that involve a little bit of travel — watch for an exciting announcement coming very soon ;) In the meantime, here are a few photography and life resolutions that I hope will help you on your quest to becoming a great photographer!
Top 10 or so…Photobooks, Photography Books and Photo Books of 2011
11 Essential Reads for Photographers for the New Year
From the Digital Photography School blog,
At this time of year I talk to a lot of photographers who are lacking a little motivation, inspiration and creativity.
It’s been a big year so today in our ‘best of 2011 series‘ I’m featuring 11 tutorials that were written this year on dPS that I think might help you to kickstart yourself photographically for 2012.
A fellow photographer needs your help
The home of Christine Meintjes, a local wedding photographer, was robbed last night and she lost all her photographic and computer equipment and much more. She is asking people to be on the lookout for secondhand items for sale, matching what she lost and is even offering a reward of R10,000 for information leading to the recovery of her hard drives.
SUBMISSION RULE CHANGES: PLEASE READ
As of January 2012 there are some changes to both the number of images you may submit and the guidelines for submitting them. Please read the following posts that explain what these changes are.
AMENDMENT TO THE NUMBER OF IMAGES SUBMITTED FOR COMPETITION AND EVALUATION
Please note the following: From January 2012, the number of images submitted for Competition will be limited to a maximum of 3 prints and 3 projected images (previously you could submit up to 4 prints and up to 4 projected images). Within each of the prints and projected images sections you may post a maximum of 2 set subject images and 2 open images; so you can choose to submit 1 set subject image and 2 open images or 2 set subject images and 1 open image.
In order to promote the submission of prints, JJ van Heerden of PictureWorks has offered a prize to be handed out at the end of 2012, to the member who submits the most prints during the year. The prize is a voucher for a canvas print of one of your prints!
As we intend getting into Evaluation and Judging in a big way in 2012, the number of submissions for evaluation will be restricted to ONE image per member (either a print, or a projected image). In so doing, we will be able to give every submission the time and evaluation it deserves.
We Have a Winner
Congratulations to our member Florian Breuer for achieving first place in the “Wonders” section of Vale’s Eye on Sustainability contest, hosted by National Geographic.

