Global Gallery and ‘Bus’ Portraits …

An excellent evening last week at the Global Gallery in Paddington Sydney for the ‘opening’ of our ‘fotostrada’ collaborative exhibition – “Portraits on a Bus”.

The exhibit consisted of thirty prints by ‘fotostrada’ members Dean Lewins, Tracey Nearmy, Sam Mooy, Graham Crouch, Mark ‘Crusty’ Baker and myself – from geographically as far afield as India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, all around Australia and even Antarctica – all of them portraying the bus passenger and the machines that convey them.

Gratifyingly it seemed that almost every photographer in Sydney had come along to have a look at the work (and down a free drink or two!) and it was excellent to spend just a little time with media imaging colleagues that I don’t get to catch up with too often!

The entire “Portraits on a Bus” work is now available – for those who were unable to get to Global Gallery – on the ‘fotostrada’ web site at http://www.fotostrada.com/#/latest-stories/portraits-on-a-bus/

In addition my own “Portraits on a Bus” essay, consisting of my exhibition images and a number that just missed out on the exhibition cut, are now on my personal web site at https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=bus 

The “Portraits on a Bus” exhibition was held in conjunction with the “2012 Head On Photo Festival”. Below is a quick pic of the exhibition opening eve at Global Gallery.

© image Brian Cassey

“The Dogs of Sai Kung” …

Have just returned from Hong Kong where I worked on several new photo essays … and the first of these – “The Dogs of Sai Kung” – has now been posted to my web site and the site of my collective ‘fotostrada’.

The fishing village of Sai Kung in the New Territories of the former British colony  is a microcosm of the now Hong Kong obsession with the dog as a pet … and not as a menu item. Here’s the text that accompanies the essay …

“The Chinese – and by obvious association the Hong Kongese – have long been accused of devouring ‘anything that moves’ including meals of our beloved canines.

However, the fishing village of Sai Kung in the New Territories of Hong Kong has embraced the dog as members of the family unit with a passion bordering on obsessive. In the 1970s Hong Kong government policy was to actively dissuade the population from having too many children. It worked … and the human birth rate in Hong Kong is now one of the World’s lowest at 1.10 per woman of child bearing age (2010), far below the replacement rate of 2.1. To compensate the locals have taken to treating their pet woofers as an integral and substitute part of the family.

Sundays sees the locals parading their pooches in prams along the pretty waterfront where they join their human ‘parents’ for exercise and lunch at the tables in the seafood restaurants. The town is awash with dog boutiques and even a doggy bakery where you can buy your precious pooch individual doggy pies and other fresh baked treats.

Lavish attention is paid to the grooming of the creatures and competition is fierce … just like comparing human babies.”

I’ve posted below a small selection of images from the new essay … the complete item can be found on my site here and on  ‘fotostrada’ here.

Images © Brian Cassey 2012

 

Two in Show …

Just received the news that two of my images – “Rajasthan Dancers” and “Carol – Burns Survivor” – have been selected as ‘Finalists’ in the United States based “2012 Kellicutt International Juried Photo Show – Through A Lens: Vibrant!”.

My images, along with other finalists from the US, the UK, Australia, India, Hong Kong, Canada and Puerto Rico, are part of the hanging exhibition that will be shown in galleries around California.

Prize winners will be announced during an awards ceremony at the Coastal Arts League Gallery in Half Moon Bay CA on July 7th before the exhibition moves to the Calumet Gallery in San Francisco in August.

You can see all the selected finalists images at … http://www.coastalartsleague.com/kellicutt/2012/HangingInShow/index.html … and I’m in some very good company. The selected photographs seem to cross almost all photographic disciplines and styles and will provide a fascinating exhibition.  Just a pity I probably won’t be there to see it!

Below I’ve posted the two images selected as ‘Finalists’ – “Rajasthan Dancers” and “Carol – Burns Survivor”

Images © Brian Cassey

Portraits on a Bus …

The ‘fotostrada’ photojournalist collective – of which I am one member of a total of eleven  – is showing a group exhibition entitled “Portraits on a Bus” as part of the “2012 Head On Photo Festival” .

The exhibition runs at the Global Gallery, Paddington, Sydney from Tuesday, 29th May to Sunday 3rd June with the grand opening eve on Wednesday 30th May from 6pm. All are welcome to attend.

Here’s the exhibit description from the Head On Festival program and web site …

“The bus is ubiquitous. Every country on the planet has some form of bus transportation.

From cramped roof top rides on dishevelled buses in India … to tiny ‘bemos’ in Indonesia, mundane mass transport in Hong Kong, luxury express buses in Australia … even a work bus in Antarctica – the ‘fotostrada’ collective team has captured all in images which convey the very essence of the travelling bus passenger and the machines that carry them.”

Several of my images made during visits to India, Hong Kong and Indonesia are featured in the exhibition alongside other great work by colleagues Dean Lewins, Tracey Nearmy, Graham Crouch, Sam Mooy, Renee Nowytarger, Mark ‘Crusty’ Baker and Melanie Russell.

I’ve put together my own personal extended version of “Portraits on a Bus” from all my images that made the short list for the exhibition collection … and this essay has been added to my personal web site at https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=bus.

Posted below is a small selection of my “Portraits on a Bus” images.

Look forward to seeing you at the exhibition …

Images © Brian Cassey – from Hong Kong, Rajasthan India and Sukawati Bali Indonesia.

 

‘Take’ Photography Magazine …

Following on from the huge success of the universally praised initial edition of photography magazine ‘Take’, publisher Andrew Johnstone has just released ‘Take’ edition 2.

Really pleased and humble to be amongst the 26 photographers from Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Argentina and Italy featured in the publication.

Excellent work from all through the 122 pages of images … all wrapped in a great hard cover … and all for just a cent under twenty bucks! Particularly pleased to see works from Jonathan Clifford, Jon Reid and Katrin Koenning also featuring.

My set in ‘Take’ 2 is the pic essay “Soulless in Seoul” which portrays the plight of the homeless in Seoul, South Korea who are being evicted from the Seoul Railway Station. To see it, do yourself a favour and buy a copy of ‘Take’ 2. If 19.99 is beyond your budget my Seoul images can be found here either on my website or on the site of my collective ‘fotostrada’.

To get your copy of ‘Take’ 2 go to the Take Magazine Facebook page here.

Below is an image of the beautiful hard cover of the new ‘Take’ 2 magazine and images of my featured pages.

Images © Take Magazine and Brian Cassey

Rural Press Awards …

… not a biggie – but gratifying nevertheless. Received the news that an image I made in the aftermath of Cyclone Yasi has been selected as the winner of the ‘People’ category of the “2012 Queensland Rural Press Photography Awards”. It will now be a Queensland representative in the Australian Council of Agricultural Journalists “2012 Australian Star Prize for Rural Photography” and if successful there it will be an Australian entry in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Photography Awards.

The image (below) of Atherton Tablelands farmer Shane O’Brien was made at the end of a day of clearing trees felled by Yasi’s power. Falling trees killed hundreds of head of Shane’s stock and the felled trunks made traversing and operating his cattle farm impossible. Despite the quick response to cyclone damage on the coastal strip of north Queensland, farmers inland from the coast on the Tablelands received little or no support.

It was published in The Australian newspaper on February 14th 2011 … full text of the story here.

Image © Brian Cassey 2011

 

Instagram, The Australian, and me …

I’ve spent my entire career making images of other people from the back side of a camera.   So it was a little daunting and very different to be asked to supply an image of myself “Instagramming” for an article in The Australian newspaper on the rise of the social media photography application.

“Instagram” has quickly grown to 27 million iPhone users in just 17 months … and a version for Android users is due to be realised any day now.

It is widely used on a daily basis by a growing number of Australia’s top photojournalists who delight in the creativity and competition that the app invites.

The article in The Weekend Australian – written by journalist Chris Griffith and published across the entire top half of page 7 on Saturday March 24th – tells of the rapid rise and the possible future for the “Instagram” app, and my experiences using it.

The main pic in the spread was an image I (reluctantly!) shot of myself using the iPhone at beautiful Mission Beach … and this was surrounded by some of my most ‘liked’ “Instagram” images. (I promise not to get into the habit of taking pics of myself!)

Below I’ve posted an image of the top half of page 7 showing how The Weekend Australian ran the story.

The text of the article can be found here … and The Australian’s gallery of some of my “Instagram” images – all taken on a now ageing iPhone4 –  is here.

If you wish to follow my work on “Instagram” look for … @brian_cassey

Walkley Mag Splash …

The Walkley Magazine has published my “Soulless in Seoul” pic essay (retitled “Sleepless in Seoul”) as a double page spread in the centre of this months new edition. A great layout and a great shop window.

The images in the essay show the plight of the hundreds of homeless who are currently being evicted from Seoul Railway Station and precinct by South Korea’s super efficient state rail authority Korail.

Bizarrely, Korail have stated that the homeless pose a ‘terrorist threat’. In the latest twist the newly elected mayor of Seoul has asked Korail to reverse the decision to evict – but Korail have no intention of doing so.

I came across the sorry story during a brief stopover in Seoul whilst returning from exhibiting my work “Cage Dogs of Hong Kong” at the Gwangju Design Biennale in the south of South Korea.

Below I’ve posted an image of the Walkley Magazine spread and one larger image from the essay.

The full “Soulless in Seoul” essay can be viewed on my personal website at https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=seoul … and on the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ at http://www.fotostrada.com/#/brian-cassey/soulless-in-seoul/BCSeoul1s

© images by Brian Cassey

 

‘fotostrada’ on Facebook …

As many of you may know I am a member of the photojournalist collective ‘fotostrada’ – currently eleven experienced well respected and awarded photojournalists based all around the Australian and Asian continents.

As well as maintaining a web site shopfront at www.fotostrada.com which showcases our collective work in personal folios, pic essays and monthly ‘New Singles’ , we also host a Facebook page where we compile, on a regular basis, news items on all aspects of photojournalism, street photography, pro photographer gear and other pro photography related interests.

The page has already amassed a large following (well over 700 at present) and discussion on items posted is proving popular.

You may become one of our ‘fotostrada’ Facebook page followers by visiting us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/fotostrada/109039275790133 and clicking on the ‘Like’ button at the top of the page.

Below is a screen shot of part of the latest ‘fotostrada’ page showing news items etc .

See you there …

Nikon-Walkley Comes to ‘Brissie’ …

Thanks to the Walkley Foundation, the MEAA and – not least of all – Nikon Australia, I travelled ‘down south’ to Brisbane last week to attend the opening of the 2011/2012 Nikon-Walkley Photographic exhibition at the Powerhouse – and the Australian Institute of Professional Photography “Hair of the Dog” conference.

It was excellent to attend the Nikon-Walkley opening eve and to catch up with colleagues and friends – and an honour to give the opening floor talk and to receive an embarrassingly over the top introduction by MEAA Federal Secretary Chris Warren ! Thanks Chris!

It was also an honour to have my image “Carol – Burns Survivor” exhibited amongst some truly fantastic work from Australia’s best press photographers.

(Something I was not so excited about was the ABC radio and TV interviews I was required to do – a learning curve.)

The Powerhouse is a fantastic exhibition space oozing character, all the works were all very well lit … and the staff were super attentive and efficient.

The exhibition runs to February 27th and is very well worth a visit.

Below is an iPhone pic of my image nestled in the Powerhouse’s beautiful exhibition space.

Image © Brian Cassey 2012

 

Cage Dogs & the Daily Mail …

Plenty of response to the publication of Cage Dogs on CNN World – most notably from the UK Daily Mail. The Mail requested the use of ten images … and they ran with the story headlined “Cage Dogs of Hong Kong: The Tragedy of Tens of Thousands Living in 6ft by 2ft Rabbit Hutches – in a City with more Louis Vuitton shops than Paris” – not so sure about the ‘rabbit hutches’ reference!

You can read the Daily Mail article and see the images at … http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2084971/Hong-Kongs-cage-homes-Tens-thousands-living-6ft-2ft-rabbit-hutches.html

Clicking on the screen shot below will also take you to the DM article.

Images © Brian Cassey

CNN World & Cage Dogs …

Very nice to see my pic essay on the Cage Home People of Hong Kong – “Cage Dogs” – featured on the global CNN world web site this week.

CNN World say their aim is to ‘tell powerful, inspiring stories through photography and offer a behind-the-scenes look at emerging and established photographers.’

The images are used well – accompanied by nice text by CNN’s Elizabeth Johnson  … and the comments on the story are … well … ‘interesting’ !

If you have a minute or three please take a look at “Cage Dogs” on CNN World at …  http://cnnphotos.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/08/hong-kongs-poor-living-in-cages/

The images can also be found on my personal website at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=cagedogs … and on the web site of my collective ‘fotostrada’ at … http://www.fotostrada.com/#/brian-cassey/cage-dogs—hong-kong/

Just one of the images from the CNN World Cage Home feature is below …

© Brian Cassey

Instagram … Instant Gratification …

Apple has just announced that it’s “iPhone App Of 2011” is the ‘photographers Facebook’ – “Instagram”.

Media photographers in Australia have certainly embraced the much lauded image sharing application and fierce rivalry is rampant. It certainly is addictive …

The idea is you make photographs on your iPhone (other image capturing devices are generally frowned upon), compose in a square (6×6 like) format, apply filters etc and then post it to “Instagram” where your followers and other viewers comment on or ‘Like’ you efforts.

The process is certainly rewarding, competitive and cathartic … and the list of top Australian pro snappers that ‘can’t get enough ‘ is impressive – Adam Taylor (@adamtaylorphoto), Brad Hunter (@hunterphoto), Dean Lewins (@deanlewinsphoto), Lisa Wiltse (@lisawiltse), Nick Moir (@nampix), Quentin Jones (@heycharger), Steve Christo (@christo1966), Toby Zerna (@zerns), Wolter Peters (@snapperwol), Craig Greenhill (@saltwaterimages), Mark “Crusty’ Baker (@crustybaker), Rob Griffith (@griffgear), Brett Costello (@brettcostellophoto), Glenn Campbell (@glenn_campbell), Greg Porteous (@skipper_aust), Mark Evans (@evohood) and partner Jenny Evans (@mrs_evo) – and many more … (apologies to those I’ve forgotten!).

It certainly encourages some real creativity and is a welcome diversion from the day to day press image grind.

My recent foray into “Instagram” is under the moniker @brian_cassey.

I’ve posted below some images from my  “Instagram” efforts – clicking on the pics will take you to their respective address’s in the app where you can see “likes”,  “comments” and how the app actually operates.

“Instagram” is free …

All Images © Brian Cassey

 

Geo France …

A nice whole page publication in the current issue of Geo France Magazine. I haven’t a clue what the text is about – my French is zero – but my image of Kuku Thaypan elder Tommy George looks excellent. Tommy is the last of his tribe which hails from the Laura area of Cape York Peninsula – and when he dies his language and forty thousand years of history will die with him. Tommy was also the original driving force behind the, now firmly established,  biennial Laura Dance Festival – and a wonderful gentleman.

© pic by Brian Cassey

A Little Chat at the Walkley Media Conference …

Last week I was fortunate (and honoured) to be invited to be a part of the Walkley Media Conference – “What’s the Story? Inventing the Future” – in Brisbane. Felt rather humble to be part of a great list of speakers that included the ABC’s Mark Scott, Greg Hywood (CEO of Fairfax Media), well known humourist and journalist Wendy Harmer – and many distinguished others – all of whom, I’m sure, had more experience in this ‘speaking’ lark than I !

My session was scheduled for three and a half hours … (and went for four! – didn’t realise I could talk that long!) and touched on the changes in media photography over the last decades, the state of play today, how to handle the difficulties encountered and what we may expect in the future. A mix of about two dozen journalists, photographers and students patiently listened and asked a myriad of thoughtful questions over the session. I thank them for their attention ! (‘Thanks’ is also due to Nikon’s Quentin Visentin who demonstrated the new Nikon 1 kit to the audience.)

My congratulations and ‘Thanks’ also to the MEAA and the Walkley Foundation for a fantastic conference!

Of course … my highlight of the Brisbane visit was the 2011 Walkley Awards presentation at the Convention & Exhibition Centre on Sunday eve. A brilliant night to be a part of – very gratified to receive the recognition of the Nikon Walkley Best Portrait Award for my image  ‘Carol – Burns Survivor’ – and to share the evening with talented press photographers Glenn Campbell,  Craig Greenhill, Stuart McEvoy, Rob Maccoll, Nev Madsen, the Getty guys, 2011 Nikon Walkley Press Photographer of the Year Phil Hillyard … as well as many journalist and industry colleagues. Great Night!

Whilst searching for material for my conference session I came across one of the very first photographs I ever took … at the age of about ten or eleven … and my first ever camera that made that image – a bakelite VP Twin camera that was bought (begrudgingly by my parents) from Woolworths in the Isle of Wight for two shillings and six pence ! (about fifty cents). I’m NOT telling anybody how long ago that actually WAS … but below I’ve posted the image (of the Cunard liner “RMS Queen Elizabeth” in the Solent UK – I was a boy into ships and trains at that stage!) and a pic of the camera. I used both images at the commencement of the Walkley Conference session.

© Image by Brian Cassey (a little while ago!)

 

Fuji X10 First Impressions …

Have just taken delivery of Fuji’s latest potential photojournalist snapper and baby brother to the Fujifilm X100 which was released earlier this year … the Fujifilm X10.

If looks count for anything it should be a winner. Great build quality and excellent retro rangefinderesque styling coupled with a fast n bright F2-F2.8 28-112mm equivalent lens and a relatively large sensor … and VERY light weight … means the X10 is a capable camera that is easy to carry at all times. (Yes … there are times when lugging the full DSLR kit is a heavy and burdensome drag!)

Havn’t shot too much with the X10 yet … but will post some images from it at a future stage.

In the meantime … here’s a pic to show it’s great lines … and a link to a preview of the camera from DPR … at http://www.dpreview.com/previews/fujifilmx10/

International Loupe Awards …

A little recognition in this years “2011 International Loupe Awards” (formerly the “International Aperture Awards) announced today – a Silver award in the ‘Sport’ category (with “Crazy Horse” – left) – and Bronze in ‘Portraits & People’ (“Carol – Burns Survivor” – centre) and ‘Photojournalism’ (“Rebecca Comes Home” – right).

For more on all three on these images please check out earlier posts – as follows – “Walkley Award … “ – “Head On Portrait Prize …” – “Moran Prize … “ – and – “Pain Is My Name …”

Images © Brian Cassey 2011

Tough ‘Day at the Office’ …

Another ‘reef story’ in the Australian gave me the opportunity for yet another day of underwater imagery (I need the practice!)… this time courtesy of the crew of “Passions of Paradise” at Long Bommie near Michaelmas Cay off Cairns.

Journalist Sarah Elks wrote of the latest findings that some corals are hardier than expected when faced with climate change … and the story and pic ran over six columns on page 3 today 14th November.

Once again I have to thank a long suffering ‘dive buddy’ … or, in this case. more like a dive ‘daddy’ – “Passions” Adam O’Malley … without whom I would have found it difficult to get an image! Also a thanks to ex pat Frauleins Judith and Claudia who endured a hard day snorkelling amongst the coral gardens.

As on previous underwater occasions I used – with my heart in my mouth – the Ewa-Marine flexible housing (model U-BXP100), this time with my shiny new (thank you Nikon) D700 and trusty old 17-35mm lens.

Below is a tear sheet of the image as used on the Australian page.

 

 

Walkley Award …

Last week I was enjoying a nice evening after a hard day flying across the Torres Strait to photograph old George Mye on Darnley Island, when I started to receive messages from friends and colleagues in Sydney that my image of Cairns burns survivor Carol Mayer had been selected as the Winner of the “2011 Nikon Walkey Best Portrait Award”. The announcement was made that evening at the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington.

That’s a great way to start an evening. Fantastic news …

This Thursday I have to take the little flight from Cairns to Melbourne for the presentation dinner hosted by the lovely people at Nikon and the Walkley Foundation.

I’ve since visited the subject of the image … the brave and lovely Carol … and showed her the image, the judges comments and the hundreds of comments I have received on various social media.

The image is shown below with the comments of the judges … and clicking on the pic will also take you to the My Nikon Life site where you can view all the photographic works of the 2011 Nikon Walkley winners and finalists.

Image © Brian Cassey 2011

 

 

Playboy Bunnies …

Yet another publication in the Australian Weekend Magazine’s “Heart of the Nation” excellent weekly pictorial feature with words penned by journalist Ross Bilton. Ross excels at digging deep to find the story behind the images that are showcased every week … and this week he produced yet a another triumph of investigation, shovelling to get the dirt on prospective Playboy Bunnies and Heff’s Mansion. Thanks Ross!

The pic (taken whilst on the Gold Coast) and Ross’s words are below.

Image © Brian Cassey

“Pain Is My Name” …

For some time now one of my fondest places to see my pictures published has been the “Heart of the Nation” weekly feature in the “The Weekend Australian Magazine” – a rare image driven feature that runs ‘out of the ordinary’ photos from around Australia and matches the images with great in depth ‘words’.

Now it’s even better … the mag has had a recent major revamp … and “Heart of the Nation” has moved from a single page at the back of the book to what is often a double page spread near the front under the additional title ‘ForeWord – People & Observations”.

The new format looks sensational … and the images leap off the pages at you at about (in my old measurements) 14 inches by 10 and half inches … a size that is pretty rare in newspaper colour mags.

This weekend the mag featured an image I made at the recent Mareeba Rodeo of a chuckling horse dispatching his rider to his destiny and a face full of dirt. Great words, as usual, from journalist Ross Bilton and the two page spread as run and Ross’s words are shown below.

“Heart of the Nation” is a great window for Australia’s fantastic depth of photographic talent … and picture editor Christine Westwood, feature journalist Ross Bilton and the new magazine editor Christine Middap deserve congratulations … and the gratitude of photographers.

Pic © Brian Cassey 2011

Mareeba Rodeo Elroy Josiah Arrow

Words Mareeba Rodeo

Soulless in Seoul (2) …

My newest essay “Soulless in Seoul” – on the evictions of homeless in Seoul South Korea (see post below) – is now also available on my personal photojournalism site proper at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/images.php?imagefolder=seoul

Soulless in Seoul …

Whilst spending two days in Seoul South Korea after exhibiting at the Gwangju Design Biennale 2011,  I came across an evolving story that produced a compelling photo essay. Korail – the State owned railway operator – has commenced the forcible eviction of several hundred homeless from the main new Seoul railway station and the original restored 1925 station adjoining. Many of these homeless were victims of various financial crises over the years and, some, long time residents of the station complex.

At present Korail are removing people from the station building from the hours of 1.30am to 4.30am – but the action has only resulted in the homeless bedding down out in the open in the surrounding station precinct and in adjoining underpasses.

Various activists, churches and civic organisations have rallied to support the homeless but Korail has no intention of reversing the decision.

South Korea is one of the most dynamic economies on the planet and hurtling towards a place in the ‘Top Ten’ list … but the States treatment of it’s senior and less fortunate citizens appears less ’21st century’.

I’ve posted the full story and photo essay of 22 images on the ‘fotostrada’ website in “Latest Stories” … and a small selection of just four images below. As soon as time permits the essay will also be posted to my personal web site.

Images © Brian Cassey 2011

Clarion Award …

Great night at the “Clarion Awards” – Queensland media’s night of nights – at the Brisbane Convention & Entertainment Centre on Saturday eve.

Was indeed fortunate to pick up the award for ‘Best Photographic Essay’ for a series of eleven images from the passage and destruction of category 5 Cyclone Yasi in north Queensland.

A night of celebration, sadness and emotion included a poignant tribute to Brisbane ABC cameraman John Bean – who was killed in a helicopter crash just weeks ago – the award for ‘Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism’ to legendary ‘The Australian’ journalist Tony Koch who recently retired – and a ‘Journalist of the Year’ award for the Courier Mail QWeekend journalist Trent Dalton.

A great event organised by the MEAA and the Walkley Foundation – and some amazing work by talented individuals on show receiving recognition as Queensland’s finest.

Winning images from my ‘Best Photographic Essay’ entry – just one of which is shown below –  can be found on my main web site at Photographs/Cyclone Yasi here.

Image – ‘Shocked evacuees emerge as Cyclone Yasi passes’ – © Brian Cassey 2011