“A Photographer’s Life – Part One” at The Tanks …

It has been an absolute pleasure to bring my “A Photographer’s Life – Part One” exhibition back to Cairns. More than half the featured works were made in the Cairns or north Queensland region (the remainder from various parts of the planet).

The work was originally collated as a ‘featured exhibition’ in the 2017 Head On Photo Festival earlier this year and was hosted by the Moran Foundation at the heritage listed Juniper Hall in Paddington, Sydney. The exhibition was selected by eminent photography journalist Alison Stieven-Taylor as one of the top five exhibitions in the festival  (from a total of 147).

When I approached The Tanks curator Chris Stannard with the idea of showing the work in Cairns he didn’t hesitate … and he and his team has worked a miracle to get it up and launched before the years end. I owe Chris and his team … Ulys, Lou, Ivan and the team … a massive vote of ‘Thanks’. Indeed … the exhibition has been ‘tweaked’ since Sydney and, in all honesty, looks significantly better than it did in the gracious surrounds of historic Juniper Hall.

In particular, the camera hardware referred to in the exhibition is featured more prominently at The Tanks … and there also a few ‘kit’ additions. Thanks to a donation by fellow photographer David Hancock, the exhibit now includes the first ever usable digital photojournalist camera from the 90’s … the then massively expensive Kodak Nikon AP NC2000 … and a long forgotten United Press International ‘wire’ drum photo transmitter from the 70’s to the 80’s. These sit alongside a collection of my very used and battered Nikon kits … and examples of my earliest cameras from the very first plastic VP Twin way back when I was a pre teen.

There are also two large TV screens continuously showing five of my video features including the multi award winning “Eyes – the Soul of a Photograph”.

Exhibition opening eve last Friday was wonderful … and I’d like to thank the many who arrived and made it such a great night. TA !

“A Photographer’s Life – Part One” is showing at The Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns till January 30th 2018 … with a short break for Xmas festivities between 23rd December to January 2nd.

Finally … on the day of the exhibition opening I was interviewed on ABC Radio Far North by affable breakfast presenter Kier Shorey … about the exhibition, work and life … and, if you fancy, the near thirteen minute audio is below.

 

 

Images at The Tanks © Brian Cassey

"A Photographer's Life - Part One" - The Tanks, Cairns by Brian Cassey

"A Photographer's Life - Part One" - The Tanks, Cairns by Brian Cassey

"A Photographer's Life - Part One" - The Tanks, Cairns by Brian Cassey

 

The Pleasure of Camera Nostalgia …

Delving into images from long past to research “The Genesis Project” has been the catalyst for a wave of nostalgia for those cameras that I used during my formative years in photography.

I’ve always held a soft spot for the various pieces of camera kit that I have used over the years and have in the past mentioned my first ever rudimentary camera and the first images made therewith. Many years ago I was lucky enough to find and buy a second bakelite VP Twin to replace that long lost first camera.

Putting together “The Genesis Project” I was struck by the poignant story of colleague and fellow exhibitor John Donegan … whose entire photography career was born when he was given his brothers camera after his untimely and tragic death. That camera was a Minolta SRT101 – a classically styled SLR launched in 1966 which pioneered TTL full aperture metering.

I also used a Minolta SRT101 in my early years (mostly to shoot British football) and came across a near mint secondhand item online for a good price. On impulse I bought it to add to my collection … and also handed it to John to use at the ‘Genesis’ exhibition launch loaded with a roll of BW film.

My image selected for “The Genesis Project” dated back to my wayward teen years (you’ll have to go to the exhibition to read the whole story) and … coincidentally … I recently came across a nice example of the, now rare, camera I used to make that original pic – a Minolta Rapid 24 rangefinder. The seller (in the UK – EBay – minolta4me-kevin) has also kindly supplied a couple of the unique Agfa Rapid film cartridges that are used with self loaded 35mm film so that I can actually use the camera to take photographs again.

The memories came flooding back when I opened the Royal Mail package and picked out the little Minolta Rapid 24. It really is as charming a camera as I remember.

Not happy to stop there I’m now searching for a much rarer specimen – a Yashica Pentamatic 35mm SLR – to replace the one I used in the years between the Minolta 24 and the Minolta SRT101. Anyone know where I can get one ?

Below is a  pic of my ‘new/old’ Minolta pair and also … “The Genesis Project” image which was made long long ago on a Minolta Rapid 24 in Portugal (middle) and one of my early football photos (Charlton Athletic scoring the winner against Watford at the Valley, also a scary amount of decades ago) that was made on my original Minolta SRT101. A real decisive moment – no motor wind on’s in those days … one frame was all you got! (bottom). Images © Brian Cassey

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