Northern Territory Photography

Hey everyone. I can not believe how quick this year has gone. It has been a week or two since my last post so I thought I would catch up with everyone. I have been doing more realestate photography this week. I am really enjoying the challenge of taking and processing these shots. You can see them at www.ntphotography.com.au.

I have included a couple here. Let me know what you think. Will

Hello everyone.

It is great to be back home with the family in Darwin. My business was put on hold because I was still going through some mental health and addiction issues.

I am happy to say that I am in a much better place and looking forward to rebuilding Northern Territory Photography (www.ntphotography.com.au)

For those of you that are interested I was interviewed in regards to my journey and recovery and that story can be found here (https://haderclinicqld.com.au/i-was-an-army-officer-and-an…/). I did this to hopefully start a conversation within Defence and hopefully help others who are going through hard times.

Anyway; as I mentioned, I have thrown myself back into my Sole Trader Photography Business. I have been fortunate enough to pick up some Realestate Photography work. This type of photography is something I had not really attempted and believe me when I say that it is harder than it looks. I have included a couple so feel free to provide feedback.

I am grateful for everyone's support. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Will

Meet Kayla Patterson........

As all photographers do when starting a new business I decided early on that my business was going to be all about Landscapes and selling my images as art.  I soon realised that this would be harder than I first thought.  Although my images are for sale on my website, people are reluctant to purchase them.  In all honesty Northern Territory Photography has only been up and running since May this year and although I have not sold any Art (officially making me a struggling artist), I have been able to pick up other work.  This has including a Cabinet Meeting, Images for the Dept of Housing, and a wedding to name a few.  From those I have also now secured the Official NYE Photographer position for the Darwin Waterfront Corporation and a shoot for Compass mining with another possible shoot with the Dept of Infrastructure.  As my business grows I will take the opportunity at some stage to set up a store somewhere to display the art images so people can see them on a wall before making a decision.

One area of photography I have always wanted to have a go at was fashion photography; however, the thought of trying to find and work with a model scared me. I finally got up the nerve and that brings me back on topic.  Meet Kayla Patterson.

Recently, I had a look online for modelling sites and came across a site called Star Now. I submitted a call for models stating I was just starting out with this type of photography and was looking to create a portfolio where both the model and myself would use the images.  I received a number of replies (even from international models).  

Kayla is a young model just starting out herself.  Together we will be putting together a number of images for our portfolios.  These were just a few from our first meeting.  Kayla is great girl,  she was bubbly and fun and great to work with.  Anyone in Australia, especially Darwin, looking for a young model eager to work in the business can get in contact with her here.  So for any photographers holding back, like I did, I say give it a go.  You will be surprised how easy and fun it will be. 

Well it has been an up and down week this week.  1 x broken Manfrotto tripod, and to top it off and the small part I need cost just as much as the whole head assemblage.  Lucky my wife is good with some type of metal glue we had lying around the house.

On the up side, this week I was picked up by the Darwin Waterfront Corporation as the photographer for the New Year Eve celebrations.

This week I thought I might talk about doing the right thing.  We are all guilty of what I am about to talk about, and on most occasions we do not give it a second thought.  We have all heard of the horror stories of tourist having their equipment confiscated or worse, being arrested when overseas for taking a picture of Government buildings or installations.  In Australia it not all that much different. 

As part of my Documenting Darwin project I have taken some photographs of the Darwin Parliament House.  I had previously photographed the Chief Minister during a meeting with the Indigenous Leadership Group called the First Circles and I was fully aware of the requirement to ask the Speaker of the House permission to photograph in different areas of the building. I was however, not fully aware that this included external shots of the building.

As a professional photographer (professional in the sense that you make money from your images) you are required to obtain permission to take and sell any images of Government buildings. This includes exterior shots of the buildings. 

It is not just Government buildings either.  Under copyright law you are not supposed to sell images of the Sydney foreshore/harbour for example.  Another example here in the Northern Territory is Kakadu. As a professional photographer I must ask for a permit to photograph the area and must prove that I have liability insurance before approval is given.  It is important to do your research. 

In this case, I wrote an email requesting permission from the Speaker of the House. In that email I stated that the images would be displayed on my website, as part of the project, and that they would not be for sale.  I was only expecting an email back indicating if I had approval or not.  Instead, rather than just hitting reply to the email, the Speaker took time out of her busy day to send a formal reply to my request.  Very much appreciated.

As part of this project I hope to also photograph a sitting of Parliament and the interior of Parliament House, which now I believe will have a better chance of being approved because I did the right thing.  

Hope you are all well.  Not long now and it will be Xmas.

Well another week gone and already everyone seems to be talking about XMAS.

Up here in the Top End the DARWIN FESTIVAL is in full swing.  This festival was born out of the destruction and devastation of a natural disaster, over 35 years ago, when Cyclone Tracy tore through the Northern Territory’s capital city on Christmas Eve in 1974.  Tracy left behind 68 dead and 25,000 Darwin residents homeless.  In 1977, Northern Territory director of health Dr Charles Gurd suggested celebrating the town’s revival with a Festival that would draw the community together and reflect the optimism of those who had returned to rebuild.

This is my first Darwin Festival so I have been going along to have a look when I can.  The Darwin Convention Centre hosted the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair for three days.  There were artist from all over the country displaying their work along with other activities such as the Waringarri Dancers (from Kununurra, East Kimberly region)  Below are a couple of shots I was able to take with my Fuji X100.

The art on display was fantastic and I was probably lucky that my wife does not let me have any money.

My new work, see my WEBSITE , is a project about documenting Darwin as it is now.  I will be looking for the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly of the city.  This will take some time and I am hoping my work will attract some attention from local galleries, the NT Government and Tourism NT.  Below are a couple of those images.   Full size images can be seen on my WEBSITE.

As always I hope everyone is well and living life.

Well It has been awhile since I have been online. There has been a lot going on including study, my dog going missing and a heap of personal stuff that I could have done without......

Around the time I was last online I was out at a local spot taking some photographs with a tide that I wanted.  I went to attach a shutter release controller when I heard a snap. I knew that noise was not going to be a good thing.  On inspection I found the ten-pin remote terminal had been dislodged and had moved in the housing.  I am not sure if it has snapped at the connection or has just come loose in the housing.  So I live in Darwin where there is no place to have it looked at let alone fixed.  For $75 the local camera shop here will send it away for a quote and have told me it could cost up to $900 to fix that part.  I am definitely in the wrong job.

My trusty D800 now needs to be sent away to be fixed and have some TLC and there is no way around it.  Mind you Over Night Express Mail takes 3-4 days to get here so I do not know how long it will be away.  

So there  I was, a new Landscape Photography Business with no camera for my landscape photography. There was only one thing to do and that was to get the new Nikon D810.  Here are the first shots out of the camera.  At least there are no dust spots now.

These shots are just a couple of the images that I have put up on the website as new work. If you want to see the others then just click HERE.  I am impressed with the camera. If you have any questions about it let me know.

​Well the shop on the website is finally up and running.  

I have decided to offer ALUMALUX which are aluminium prints. (Fantastic and amazing are just a couple of words that describe these prints).  I am also offering DELUX Framed Prints with the best archival materials and I have decided to offer prints only.  These prints are on archival art paper which are rated to 75+ years.  This way you can decide on how you want to frame and display them.  

However, if there is something specific that you want or require please do not hesitate to contact me. I am sure I can meet your needs but will need to quote you outside what I offer on the website. (eg.  the image you see below are Art Canvases that were requested)

Within Australia the prices you see on the website are all inclusive of transport costs to your door.

“ How many photographers does it take to change a lightbulb?                 50 - One to change the bulb and the other 49 to say I can do that.”   (unknown)

Welcome to ITSWILLDUNCAN the official Blog for Northern Territory Photography.

As the title suggest it has been a busy week for me.  I had my first commissioned work this week for the Northern Territory Government (NT Govt). I was employed to photograph the Indigenous leadership group, First Circles when they met with the Northern Territory Chief Minister and other members of Cabinet on Tuesday the 19th May.

The NT Govt acknowledges the importance of Indigenous engagement to ensure people have input into policies and programs which affect the lives of individuals and their families. First Circles provides an opportunity for emerging leaders to drive change through direct engagement with Ministers and the Cabinet.  Click here for further information on First Circles Engagement. 

images at www.ntphotograpy.com.au

It has been a long time since I have been involved in this type of editorial genre and I really enjoyed the challenge.  Technically it was quite a difficult shoot, being indoors with the added constraint of no flash.  Big light sources, such as windows, lights and the projector as seen in a below image, made it difficult to keep everything correctly exposed without areas being blown out or underexposed.

images at www.ntphotography.com.au

images at www.ntphotography.com.au

images at www.ntphotography.com.au

I am looking forward to more work of this type and especially being involved with other community events.

Stay safe and well

“ When people ask me what equipment I use, I tell them my eyes “

   - Unknown

Welcome to ITSWILLDUNCAN the official blog for Northern Territory Photography - Blog #3

In this blog I would like to talk about something that really amazes me.  Often we become excited about a shoot that we have planned.  Maybe we have been planning it now for awhile and the day has come.  We have researched the tides, what time sunrise is.  We have gone out to the site and we know where we are going to set up.  We plan is to arrive and set up in the dark before blue hour begins so we can catch that fleeting magical light during Blue Hour and Golden Hour.  We know good planning will enhance our chances of a great shot.  This magical light is not necessarily a given though.  It could be just an awful day with flat light.  This is how I plan most shoots and is exactly what I did for the shoot yesterday. 

I awoke with my wife whacking me in the back because the alarm was going off and I was not budging.  Out of bed, a quick shower and coffee while packing my equipment in the car and I was ready.  It was still pitch black but I new the shot I wanted and where to set up so I headed off.  It was a beautiful morning and I was lucky enough to get the below image:

Full size images at www.ntphotography.com.au

Every now and then there will be a photographer turn up at the same spot you are and that is fine because there is enough beauty for everyone.  What amazes me, and I see this a lot, is those photographers that set up and take a number of shots in quick succession and once the sun has broken they quickly pack up and leave.  The sun is up so there are no good shots to be had now. 

I took the above shot as the sun was just breaking, and I agree that at that angle, once the sun was up, the shot became too blown out.  So guess what happened - I TURNED AROUND.  Consequently, the following image was the shot I was able to get. This was taken no more than 10 - 15 minutes after the above shot.

Full size images at www.ntphotography.com.au

The sun was now behind me and providing beautiful light for this shot.  Unless you have to be somewhere extremely quickly then turn around and look how the light changes.

Well again I hope you enjoy my images.  Have a look at the website and feel free to let me know anything you would like me to cover in the blogs of the future.  Also any image you like on the site you can share with your friends by selecting the share buttons.

The shop is about 90% complete.  I will be offering Framed Prints and Aluminium Prints shortly.  I am still in negotiations with some printers.

This looks fantastic and hopefully I will be involved.  The Australian tour will go ahead in 2017 and if all goes well internationally after that.  I have been asked if I would like to be the tour’s photographer and we are in negotiations.  Please like and share this link to ensure the success of the tour.  For those younger friends of mine please talk to me and I will let you know who Elvis is.

"My Wife - She can help me get the Negs out"

                                                             - Ansel Adams

(when asked which he would save first from a burning house - his wife or his negatives)

How times have changed.  I think I would need to save my Son.  I don't think my wife would be able to carry the Raid Backup system, the I-Mac, Graphics Tablet etc.  LOL.

I thought I would start each blog from now on with a quote from a famous (or not so famous) photographer.

Location

This week is related to last weeks work so far as location is concerned anyway.  I touched on it in the last blog when I said the simple things that most people drive past and take for granted can be a great image.  You do not have to fly all over the world to the thousands of iconic locations to make a great image.  The photographs that come out of these places are pretty much all the same.  Same angle.  Same Location etc.  However, what you do need to do is study the location, study the light of that location and explore.

(However when I am famous I do intend flying all over the world and doings those same shots - just saying)

I took the family on a three week trip up through the Gibb River road to Northern Western Australia, Broom, and the Bungle Bungles.  This I thought would be fantastic.  The 4x4 was kitted out, camper trailer was packed I was prepared to make some great images.  So to cut a long story short.  In hopped the wife, 2 kids and the in-laws and the trip was like Europe in three days. You can not take great photos like that.I like to get to know the place.  When I find a place that may be interesting like last week I will go back both morning and night for a few days straight and shoot in different light and explore the area for different angles and composition.

- Full size images on www.ntphotography.com.au

For example you will remember those power lines.  I moved across the bridge to the other side of the port and saw the above shot.  What I liked was the channel leading through the mangroves and with a long exposure you can see the movement of the water through the image as well as the other silhouetted power lines.  I prefer this image over the others because of that view point and composition.

- Full size images on www.ntphotography.com.au

It pays to explore the area.  Although most of the area was inaccessible due to the crocodiles, I found this shot by looking over the bridge.  Look for an interesting composition then play with it.  I intend to explore the Top End as much as I can and find unique places but it will be my intention to spend days in the one location.If you see an area you think could be interesting then go back.  Even if the first time you did not get the shot that you wanted, next time the light could be different, or the weather might change making it more dramatic.  Go with your intuition.Well that is the end of Blog No.2.  The ITSWILLDUNCAN Blog will be produced each week.  I am now a Student Member of the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) and will be studying over the next 12 months. So If there is anything you would like to hear about in the blog, or you think it is too long then please let me know.The website

www.ntphotography.com.au

First of all to all my Military friends I hope you had a great day yesterday.  For those of you not from Australia the 25th April is ANZAC Day in Australia.  On this day we remember those who have given their life in service to their country.  It was significant this year because it was the centenary of the landings at Gallipoli WWI.  For me this was the first year in 30 odd years that I have not gone to a service or caught up with mates over a few hundred drinks.  It was different but no less emotional. I remembered those friends we have lost in my own way.

I was still up well before the sun because I was heading out to a local spot here in Darwin, Australia called Channel Island.  Not much of an Island.  Really just some land with a Gas plant and a boat ramp on it.  However there is a bridge over water (Port of Darwin) to get to it.  I actually found it by accident when (because of my wife’s directions in the car) the car became lost, but that is another story.  I did notice that day that there were some large power lines that crossed the water and weaved down the coast and I remember thinking to myself that I will need to come back here and see what I can do with those.  I find it is normally the simple things that most people take for granted that can make a beautiful image.

My formal training in Photography was all Black and White back when we used film and you developed in a makeshift darkroom usually in your bathroom. So now with the endless possibilities of digital photography I am always torn between the two.  It is funny but to this day I think I still see in Black and White. I still love the feel black and white gives you.  You can see the other images in this set on my webpage www.ntphotography.com.au.

I am lucky enough to have a few cameras.  I use a Nikon D800 for my landscapes as it has a great dynamic range and for my Urban I like to use my Fuji X100.  My digital darkroom consists of Photoshop, Lightroom, and NIK Software and my workflow changes every time I read an article on it. The NIK software is great and Silver Efex Pro 2 is my choice for creating Black and Whites.

Well this has been my first blog.  I would love to know what you think.  My website is new, so new that it is not even on GOOGLE yet.  So I would also love to know how the hell I do that.....haha.

Will