On a refracted Isle #114 [aka a bunch of stuff] March 27th 2011

haiku stuff

[special for Grand Prix day]

There are only three

types of drivers – the insane,

the morons, and me.

new members stuff

A big fat warm and fuzzy welcome to our newest free radical members, John Ford VIC, [not the other John Ford from NSW!] Eric Algra VIC, Lauren Simonutti USA, Gillian Fletcher VIC, and Bec Walton VIC.

births deaths and marriages stuff

Coming – Adia, a daughter to Jem Howard [fr#593] Going – Ross Penny, former President of the Melbourne Camera Club.

Hall of fame stuff

Thank you to those of you who responded to the call in the last edition of the notes for nominees into the free radical Hall of Fame. If there is sufficient interest we can think about having a special induction night, perhaps as part of the biennale. I’m interested to have some feedback on this, plus a few more nominations.

editorial stuff

Happy to report that Andrew Chapman [fr#449], who was not traveling too well in the last edition of the notes, is now on the mend. Bit of a rare breed is ‘Scoop’ and spare parts were not easy to find, but at the last moment some suitable bits came to light and thankfully AC is on the mend. A fundraiser to assist Andrew on the long road to recovery is in the planning. Details for those interested in getting involved to follow.

fundraising print swap stuff

The BIFB continues to struggle to attract funding and sponsorship – not charged with finding a cure for cancer, stopping whaling in Antarctic waters, preventing child abuse or promoting sport we are not sexy enough for most – merely just another arts festival. So here is a chance to support your own industry and get something tangible back for your efforts.

How it works: You pay $100 and contribute one of your best prints to participate. On the given night all participants gather for the print swap where all the prints are on display. Names are pulled from the barrel, and when yours comes out you can make a selection from the prints that remain. There is a degree of chance involved, as the later your name is drawn there are fewer prints remaining to choose from. To keep the quality of entries high a panel will vet all entries. If the panel decides that your entry is not of a high enough standard, your entry fee will be refunded in full. This is your chance to support a most worthy photographic event and gain a print to add to your photography collection. Download print swap T&C’s from Ballarat Foto Print Swap

2011 R ‘Chee’ Ball Prize stuff

First entry for the prize has arrived, along with cash for a free radical member badge, and it’s come all the way from the USA. Thanks Rabbit [AKA Lauren Simonutti, now fr#831. Currently Lauren is well situated to take off the prize pool [being the only entry to date!] so let’s get in front of the mirror and get shooting and give rabbit a bit of competition. Terms and conditions plus entry form are available from this link: R-Chee-Ball Prize 2011

Moran Photography Prize stuff

Noted the glee with which quite a few acquaintances announced their semi finalist listing for the Moran Prize via facebook, and thought it would be good to acknowledge the free radicals who had achieved the honour in the notes. But when I visited the Moran prize website to gather a list of those who had been selected, the slide show went on for at least twenty minutes – I may be exaggerating there, but there is most certainly an extensive list of acceptances – at a guess I would say close to 250. Don’t have the time to go back again and count, so will wait until the finalists are announced before revisiting the exercise. In the interim, good luck to all of you who have made the first cut.

World Pinhole day stuff

It’s getting time to break out that biscuit tin or cardboard box and a square of tinfoil. The coordinators of the eleventh annual Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day are busy preparing for this upcoming major global festival. It will be the traditional last Sunday in April; the next one will be April 24, 2011. Anyone, anywhere in the world, who makes a pinhole photograph on Pinhole
Day, can scan the image and upload it to the www.pinholeday.org website where it will become part of the premier gallery of lensless photography. In 2011, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day is the same day as the Easter holiday; for 2011 only, we will accept pinhole photographs taken between April 23 and May 1. The deadline for submitting photos to the gallery will continue to be 24:00 GMT on May 31. Last year, 3449 participants from 70 countries contributed images to the WPPD 2010 Gallery. Over 150 events – workshops, exhibits, lectures, etc. were held throughout the world. All of these events were coordinated locally by volunteers. Lets see a concerted effort by all free radicals who have a pinhole camera to participate in this event. Don’t have a pinhole camera? – make one you dummy. It’s not difficult! There are a bunch of instructions as to how to make your own on the world pinhole day website.

large format stuff

For anyone who is interested in large format photography, Richard White [fr#99] and Trevor Foon [fr#88] are organizing a large format weekend as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale later in the year. The weekend is penciled in for August 27^th and 28^th, and will take the form of a series of events, including shooting, presentation, workshop and social gathering for all aficionados of large format film photography. If you are interested in participating or even assisting with the organizational aspects of the weekend, give Richard a shout at: richard (at) richardwhite.com.au

shakin’ all over stuff

Strange goings on all over the planet in recent times. At home it’s been floods, hurricanes and bushfires. Whilst in NZ it’s been earthquakes, and Japan hit the jackpot with earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosions. Legendary Kiwi shooter Doc Ross [not yet a free rad – someone over there in the shaky isles should give Doc’s arm a bit of a twist! ] came through with person unscathed but significant foundational damage to his Christchurch studio gallery.

And in Japan, Tokyo based Masaki Hirano [fr#752] also survived without any physical damage to person or property, but is very concerned over spread of radiation fallout. We wish Doc, Masaki and all others who have suffered loss and trauma from recent events our moral support in getting their lives and circumstances back to normal.

call for entry stuff

It’s always a good idea to thoroughly read and understand terms of entry for any photographic prize or competition.

If you don’t like what they say, or feel terms and conditions are not clearly spelled out, or appear exploitative, don’t enter!

CCP DOCUMENTARY 
PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD CALL FOR ENTRIES Documentary photographers, photojournalists and artists working in a documentary style are invited to submit their work for a chance to win the $4,000 Copyright Agency Limited Prize. The eighth, biennial CCP Documentary Photography Award presents a survey of the best contemporary Australian documentary photography in series format. The Award is open to established and aspiring photographers using either analogue or digital cameras, however the content of the images must not be altered. Approximately ten finalists will be selected for exhibition at Centre for Contemporary Photography from 28 October to 11 December 2011, and subsequent national tour until 2013. The winner of the $4,000 Copyright Agency Limited Prize will be announced at the opening of the exhibition at CCP on Thursday 27 October 2011. The judges in 2011 are Dr Isobel Crombie, Senior Curator, Photography, National Gallery of Victoria; 
Bill Henson, Artist; and Naomi Cass, Director, CCP. Entries Close Friday 20 May 2011
 Exhibition Opening Thursday 27 October 2011, 6–8pm 
Exhibition Dates 28 October to 11 December 2011. Entry forms can be downloaded from the CCP website now. 
 CCP Documentary Photography Award

$10,000 Picture This Photography Prize Brunswick Street Gallery 322 Brunswick St, Fitzroy 3065. Exhibition dates Runs 15 – 28 Apr 2011. Opening and Prizes Fri 15 Apr 2011 at 6pm. Deadline for entries Sun midnight 3 Apr 2011. Only send physical work if selected as a finalist. Enter online at www.bsgart.com.au

The second Epson International Pano Awards is dedicated to the art of panoramic photography. Advances in digital photography and software such as PTGui and Adobe Photoshop has resulted in an explosion in image stitching, especially in the panoramic format. Panoramic film photography also remains alive and well. The Epson International Pano Awards showcases the work of panoramic photographers worldwide and is the largest and most important competition for panoramic photography. The 2011 competition is now open for all professional and amateur photographers with a combined prize pool of US$25,000 in cash and prizes!

Entries close April 15th. Details from www.thepanoawards.com

Inge Morath Award for Female Photographers under 30. Deadline April 30, 2011. The Inge Morath Foundation is calling for entries for its prestigious annual award, which rewards the achievements of a female photographer under the age of 30. In association with the Magnum Foundation, the Inge Morath Foundation is offering a $5000 cash prize to assist a female photographer in the completion of a longt-erm documentary project. The award is now in its eight year, and features, among its winners, photographers such as Claire Martin, Olivia Arthur, Jessica Dimmock and Mimi Chakarova.

Last year, for the first time since its launch, two photographers were awarded the top prize, each receiving $5000. Claire Martin won for her ongoing documentation of marginalised communities within prosperous nations. Lurdes Basoli won for her project Caracas, the City of Lost Bullets.

The submission deadline is 30 April. Applicants must submit between 40 and 60 images, with a printed project description and Curriculum Vitae. Information from The Foundation Awards

Sun Studios is pleased to announce a call for submissions for the Third Sun Studios Assistant Award and Exhibition. This competition asks for a body of work to be submitted with Uniform as its theme. Please interpret this theme as you please. Sun Studios will hold an exhibition of the finalists on the 9th June 2011, 6PM – 9PM. A selection of six finalists will be chosen by a panel of industry big wigs. The winner and runner up will be announced on the opening night.

Entries close before close of business on 13th May 2011. Prizes include (total value of $10,000):

First Prize – Canon 7D body and Broncolor Senso 42 Flash Kit. Second Prize – Sun Studios will provide the runner up with a full day in studio with lighting and digital gear. More info from

Sun Studios Assistants Award Exhibition

The free radical R ‘Chee’ Ball Prize for Photographic Self Portraiture. Entries close Friday August 12^th 2011. All entries will hang in the exhibition at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale. Winner will be chosen by audience vote. Terms and conditions plus entry form are available from: this link

Myrtle Street Studio is running a pinhole photography competition The information can be found here – www.myrtlestreetstudio.com/photo-comp and there are 3x$500.00 prizes to be won!!

2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards for nature photography. Entries close May 5th, 2011. More information from www.naturesbestphotography.com

even more happening stuff

The Australian Photography and Gallery Compendium www.thecompendium.com.au will be published in the autumn of 2011. It is designed to connect the artist who needs exposure with the collector who needs information. The Compendium is artistically designed and beautifully produced to present the artist’s best work in the best way and functions also as a source of information and informed opinion for the collector and photography lover. The Compendium 2011 is the photography book of its time and of its place. Submission guidelines for photographers are to be found by visiting www.thecompendium.com.au There are special offers available to galleries who wish to package 3 or 4 photographer under the one entry to make considerable savings. A limited release of single page entries, not found on the web, is currently available.

For more information chat to the publishers, Mary Meyer 0409 971 940 info@thecompendium.com.au or Bob Kersey 0411 857 747.

exhibition stuff

Have decided to draw the line under exhibition notices. Would love to promote your shows, but everyone seems to be too lazy to send information in a format that I can easily cut and paste.

Seems I waste hours visiting websites, transcribing show information, ditto with pdf’s and all the other weird formats that I get sent. Well I aint gonna do it no more folks! If you want your show listed here, send me unformatted text in the body of an email, with all the details, including exhibition dates, gallery open hours etc. etc. and I will happily include it here.

Interspection by Sean O’Carroll. Sean O’Carroll presents an intriguing series of elegantly constructed images that question the nature of subjectivity and self-understanding.

Show current to 17 April,

Plus

Money Up Front and No Kissing by Ray Cook. This beautiful and enigmatic exhibition is an elegy for what is lost when the outcast becomes assimilated and identity becomes just another . commodity in the Neo-Liberal economy. Celebrating the sexual potency of ambiguity and the freedom that lies beyond the pale, the images wrap a tough politics of resistance within a sensuous visual poetry. Show current to 17 April,

plus

Crossroads: Contemporary Russian Photography by Sergey Bratkov, Aleksandr Gronsky, Gregory Maiofis, Andrey Polushkin, Oleg Videnin. Show current to April 30,

all at the Australian Centre for Photography, 257 Oxford Street Paddington, NSW 2021

Immersion by Kane Alexander. Immersion records two sculptural responses to the environment. Spending time within different landscapes, the artist developed responses that grow organically out of a desire to engage, communicate and deepen his connection to the place. Objects are positioned in the landscape, captured by the camera and manipulated by the elements, becoming ephemeral, transient, and reflective of the natural space. At the Colour Factory , 409-429 Gore Street Fitzroy. Exhibition dates: April 8- April 30. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri, 10-6. Sat 1-4

Mini Mini Retrospective of B/W Documentary Sydney Lesbian Community Photographs / Portraits by C.Moore Hardy [fr# 554] Show current to April 1^st at REMY & LEES Cafe, Bourke Street Surry Hills Sydney. C.Moore Hardy’s 30 year collection of Sydney Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer & Transgender Community Photographs are now online @ City of Sydney Archivepix.

Treasure Hunt by Melanie Faith-Dove, a photographic series featuring rustic vintage vehicles is at the Forrest Brewery, Forrest Apollo Bay Rd. Show current to April 26. Brewery open Thurs to Sunday.

Cuba by Masaki Hirano [fr#752] Still showing at the Radio Springs Hotel, Main Rd. Lyonville. [best little pub in Australia] Open Wednesday to Sunday.

Memento Mori by Andrea Higgins. Andrea Higgins investigates aspects of family heritage, memento mori, collecting/collections, the feminine and the domestic, via two series of traditionally created archival, black and white, photogram images.

plus

Mizu-Nami-Rising by Elizabeth Dobrilla. Elizabeth Dobrilla, an Australian artist of Yugoslavian origins, lived in Japan for seven years. In Japan, she developed a unique perception of the symbols and icons around her, from the sacred Chrysanthemum, representing the Imperial seal, to pop-cultural icons and a collective obsession with Cute (‘Kawaii’).
Both shows open Aril 1^st to 25th at Obscura Gallery, first floor, 285 Carlisle St East St Kilda. Gallery open tues to sat

classified stuff

classifieds are free, but only run for one edition unless you email me to run in the following edition due to lack of enquiries, or you wish to delete, add, or change the price of items. Don’t send an essay – just item, price and contact details. KISS

Small office space in Glebe – I am finally moving into a place big enough so I can work from home. This means my office space needs another tenant. My landlord has been very good to me and so I want to help by finding a suitable tenant for him. Please pass on the info to your friends and colleagues who may be interested. Mayu Kanamori [fr# 819] mayu@mayu.com.au 0419 245 036

A 287 page, hard cover book entitled ‘Ore What! A portrait of the people of Hill End. Pages can be ‘turned’ by visiting Peter Adams [fr#159] web site www.peteradams.com Books available directly through Peteradams.com $80 plus postage.

end stuff

Feeling neglected because of lack of information on events happening in your neck of the woods? I can’t include it if i don’t know about it!! Any editorial content, exhibition notices, classifieds etc. to free radicaloz [at] gmail.com

Lost your badge and forgotten your number? Check out the members page at freeradicaloz.com and if you would like a link to your website from our links page, send the details to cameron.stephen [at] gmail.com – obviously we wouldn’t say no to a reciprocal link!

Too busy to find time to read the notes? not happy with the left leaning Luddite editor?
Simple reply with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject field and your details will be smitten from the address book – no questions asked.

free radical World HQ
37 Coliban Drive
Lyonville Vic
3461

Unfortunately VIVID The National Festival of Photography in Canberra is no more.
The following comes from former  VIVID Festival Director Linda Groom

The Board made the recommendation with much regret. The letters we sent in September 2010 seeking support from national institutions for VIVID 2012 drew insufficient support. The War Memorial and National Museum told us they did not intend to hold exhibitions during the VIVID period and of the six national institutions that provided financial support for VIVID 2008, only one, the National Library, agreed to provide similar support for VIVID 2012. The net result was that the planned festival in 2012 lost its national character and had insufficient core funding and insufficient large exhibitions to make the festival attractive to sponsors.
The Board considered the option of running a low-budget local festival. This would however have been inconsistent with VIVID’s prime purpose, which was to run a national-level photography festival.

Such is the support for the arts [most specially the photographic branch of the visual arts] in Australia. The public sector has the capacity to give a leg-up to fledgling events that run almost exclusively thanks to the efforts  of volunteers, but unfortunately those who control the purse strings and their oligarchies seem to be more intent on protecting their patch than supporting worthwhile artistic endeavours of the ilk of VIVID.  Your taxes at work? – talk to your local member!!

MORAN CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHIC PRIZE 2011 OPEN SECTION CALL FOR ENTRIES $110,000 PRIZE MONEY CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES TUESDAY 1 MARCH 2011

The Moran Arts Foundation invites photographers to submit photographic works in competition for the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2011 - Australia’s richest photographic prize. Prize monies have increased for the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2011 and will be awarded as follows: $100,000        1ST PRIZE FOR THE BEST PHOTO BASED WORK $10,000          HIGHLY COMMENDED WORKS (up to 5 X $2,000 PRIZES) A maximum of 40 works will be selected as finalists. These works will be exhibited at the State Library of New South Wales 18th April until 10th July 2011 before touring Australia for a period of up to 12 months. Entrants in the Open Section are asked to interpret the theme “Contemporary Life in Australia” with an emphasis on Australians going about their day-to-day lives within their environment. The prize promotes contemporary photography and excellence in photo-based work, including all types of analogue and digital photography. Images can be either colour or black and white. The selection of finalists and the awarding of prizes will be determined by award winning Australian photographer, Samantha Everton. Closing time and date for entries is 5pm Tuesday 1 March 2011. All entries (regardless of whether they have been created by an analogue or digital camera) must be received as a digital file(s) uploaded to the Moran Prizes website by this time and date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ENTER ONLINE GO TO WWW.MORANPRIZES.COM.AU

Rid eaten alfresco #113 [aka a bunch of stuff]         February 5th 2011

haiku stuff

darkness grows outdoors,
your dinner cools, I waste a
moment of your time.

new members stuff

A big fat warm and fuzzy new years welcome to our newest free radical members, Danielle Courtier VIC, Jim Filmer SA, Zhenshi VanDer Klooster VIC, Senga Peckham VIC. And Steve Marshall NSW.

And while we are at it, how about giving your nearest and dearest a free radical life membership for Valentines Day? It’s the gift that goes on giving and giving. Send ten bucks [cash only] to free radical World HQ, 37 Coliban Drive Lyonville Vic 3461 [yes, I know it’s illegal to send cash via the mail, but we have never let the law get in the way of free radical progress to date, and we don’t propose to go legit at any time in the foreseeable future!] Don’t forget to include the recipients mailing address for receipt of their individually numbered, lovingly crafted and highly desirable free radical badge, plus their email address for the dispatch of vital photographic [and sometimes non – photographic] information in the form of the free radical notes.

births deaths and marriages stuff

Another couple lost to photography recently.

Penny Tweedie aged 70. The following is reprinted from The Guardian… She was a pioneering photographer who covered war and conflicts around the world, from Bangladesh and Vietnam to Uganda and East Timor. She was also an award-winning chronicler of Australian Aboriginal culture, and her book Spirit of Arnhem Land (1998) is recognised as a classic.
Penny’s long involvement with Australia and its Aboriginal people began in 1975 when she flew to Alice Springs to photograph the filming of the BBC’s Explorers: The Story of Burke and Wills. “It turned out to be an experience that changed the direction of my life,” she wrote later. It resulted in a major National Geographic story and her books, This, My Country (1985) and Spirit of Arnhem Land, led to exhibitions and the 1999 Walkley award for photojournalism. Always conscientious, she returned to Arnhem Land with the book proofs to ensure that all were happy with their portrayal.
Penny considered herself a working photographer to the bitter end. She coped resolutely with professional slights but it seems despair at the world’s lack of use for her craft finally induced her to take her own life. Behind the exterior of the intrepid international photographer – cameras over her shoulder, bandana round her neck, wry smile on her face – was a sensitive and compassionate soul, loved and admired by a wide circle of friends across the world.

John Cato aged 85 after a long battle with emphysema. I only ever met John once, although knew him well by reputation. Many years ago when I decided to go back to school to learn how to do it proper [photography that is] there were 3 tertiary courses offering photography – Preston [which later evolved into NMIT, RMIT, and Prahran [which later became Swinburne and then migrated to the VCA] My first choice was RMIT, but Robert Ashton, a former Prahran graduate, lived close by so I applied for Prahran as well. I rocked up with my folio and was asked to lay all my prints out. John Cato spent some time with each work in turn without asking any questions. Finally he turned to me and said ‘tell me, have you applied for any other courses?’ ‘RMIT and Preston’ I responded. ‘Thank god for that!’ came the retort. ‘RMIT is where you should be. This is an arts course. We train students to be unemployed! You should be a commercial photographer!’ And so I dutifully had my interview and got accepted at RMIT. Somewhat ironically I have ended up as an art photographer, and many of John’s former students have gone on to forge careers as accomplished commercial photographers.

editorial stuff

A couple of our number are not traveling too well healthwise at the moment. Both Julie Millowick [fr#686] and Andrew Chapman [fr# 449] who were both former students of John Cato by the bye. We wish them both a speedy return to good health.

And whilst on the subject, a real concern is the recent spate of photographers deciding to end their lives by their own hand. Penny Tweedie [as mentioned earlier] Rick Altman [fr#07], Sam Haskins and Jeff Carter who have all been remembered in free radical dispatches over the past couple of years. I think we don’t do enough to recognize the contribution of our elders, some of whom were retired, or close to retirement at the onset of the digital age, or those who were brought up in the traditions of film and wet darkrooms and couldn’t or wouldn’t take the extensive learning curve needed to develop digital skills. I am sure there are many of our number out there who feel that the new photographic paradigm has passed them by, and whilst the new generation have embraced the medium and carried it off in new and varied directions, they are left to ponder their memories and not much more, made redundant on the scrapheap of technology. Maybe it’s time to take the odd break from the obsessive rush to accumulate fame and fortune and recognize those who paved the way for us. In recent years we have had celebrity roasts for the late Brian Brandt,[fr#171] and more recently the not so late Rib Imhoff.[fr#143] How about those of you located elsewhere think about staging an evening to celebrate the achievements of one of the elder statesmen in your city or town? Think it is also time we established a free radical ‘hall of fame’ where each year we induct a number [say around five of our number] in recognition of their contribution to photography. Lets make it that they have to be at least 60+, and not necessarily need to be high profile, but have spent a lifetime working at their craft. Send me your nominations and we’ll see if we can’t narrow it down to 5 nominees for 2011 and organize some sort of gala presentation night to celebrate the inaugural induction into the free radical ‘Hall of Fame’

Not yet inundated with suppliers offering stuff for the R ‘Chee’ Ball Prize for Photographic self portraiture, to be run as a special event at next years Ballarat International Foto Biennale, but at least Lawrence Winder [fr#781] has put up his hand to co ordinate the event. Full details will be released further down the track, but it is not too soon to begin planning a self portrait that will wow the judging panel – in this case it will be the public – and win you a grab bag of various bits and pieces of photographic kit [are you listening free radicals who are in the supply chain side of photography?! Obviously not so far!! Except for Michelle – Thanks Tuddy [fr#661] Terms and condition of entry for the R Chee Ball Prize for 2011 are at our website www.freeradicaloz.com Once we have established a venue and firmed up the prize list, you will be able to download an official entry form there.

fundraising print swap stuff

The BIFB continues to struggle to attract funding and sponsorship – not charged with finding a cure for cancer, stopping whaling in Antarctic waters, preventing child abuse or promoting sport we are not sexy enough for most – merely just another arts festival. So here is a chance to support your own industry and get something tangible back for your efforts.
How it works: You pay $100 and contribute one of your best prints to participate. On the given night all participants gather for the print swap where all the prints are on display. Names are pulled from the barrel, and when yours comes out you can make a selection from the prints that remain. There is a degree of chance involved, as the later your name is drawn there are fewer prints remaining to choose from. To keep the quality of entries high a panel will vet all entries. If the panel decides that your entry is not of a high enough standard, your entry fee will be refunded in full. This is your chance to support a most worthy photographic event and gain a print to add to your photography collection. Download print swap T&C’s from this link: www.ballaratfoto.org/bifb11/print_swap

African money stuff

The sums of money on offer keep getting bigger and bigger. It seems so many wealthy African families have been snuffed out by plane crashes and car accidents without leaving any surviving next of kin, that I wonder why we aren’t hearing more about these disasters in the western media.
And it seems there are billions of dollars lying around in Swiss bank accounts, and I am so distantly related to so many recently departed millionaires that just can’t make up my mind which offer I should accept. Not that I’m greedy, but every time I finish wrestling with my conscience to accept an offer, a larger sum of promised money comes from another source. The latest offer is 4,500,000.00 pounds sterling. The catch is that I only get 60% I’m wondering if 2.7 mill is worth getting out of bed for?!

more happening stuff

It’s getting time to break out that biscuit tin or cardboard box and a square of tinfoil. The coordinators of the eleventh annual Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day are busy preparing for this upcoming major global festival. It will be the traditional last Sunday in April; the next one will be April 24, 2011. Anyone, anywhere in the world, who makes a pinhole photograph on Pinhole Day, can scan the image and upload it to the www.pinholeday.org website where it will become part of the premier gallery of lensless photography. In 2011, Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day is the same day as the Easter holiday; for 2011 only, we will accept pinhole photographs taken between April 23 and May 1. The deadline for submitting photos to the gallery will continue to be 24:00 GMT on May 31. Last year, 3449 participants from 70 countries contributed images to the
WPPD 2010 Gallery. Over 150 events – workshops, exhibits, lectures, etc. were held throughout the world. All of these events were coordinated locally by volunteers. Lets see a concerted effort by all free radicals who have a pinhole camera to participate in this event. Don’t have a pinhole camera? – make one you dummy. It’s not difficult! There are a bunch of instructions as to how to make your own on the world pinhole day website

large format stuff

For anyone who is interested in large format photography, Richard White [fr#99] and Trevor Foon [fr#88] are organizing a large format weekend as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale later in the year. The weekend is penciled in for August 27th and 28th, and will take the form of a series of events, including shooting, presentation, workshop and social gathering for all aficionados of large format film photography. If you are interested in participating or even assisting with the organizational aspects of the weekend, give Richard a shout at

bitchin’ weather stuff

A few of our number have been struggling with the recent round of weather events, including floods, hurricanes and bushfires. To date have not had news of any major losses, but our thoughts go out to all of those free radicals who have suffered the wrath of the weather gods. We dipped into the free radical biscuit tin and a small amount of cash in a plain envelope winged its way to assist Sandy Barrie who suffered major damage to his historic film archive in the QLD floods.
I’m guessing that the only constant in the recent weather events is that the climate change sceptics will remain sceptical.

Annie Lebovitz stuff

Interesting article from the FT regarding financial hard times for one of the world’s highest profile contemporary photographers. Also some interesting information for those hoping to make their mark in the world of fine art photography.
It is only one collector’s view but it is a straw in a wind that has been blowing fiercely against Leibovitz, who is struggling to repair her finances, having built up multi-million-dollar debts amid a tangle of personal, professional and property troubles…… Click this link for the full article Of course Lebovitz’s show is currently halfway through its run at MCA in Sydney and is apparently breaking all attendance records

call for entry stuff

It’s always a good idea to thoroughly read and understand terms of entry for any photographic prize or competition.
If you don’t like what they say, or feel terms and conditions are not clearly spelled out, or appear exploitative, don’t enter!

Call for entry for the Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2011 Fringe exhibition program is now open. Download an artist kit from www.ballaratfoto.org/bifb11/fringe.html also the festival is seeking proposals from photographers working in audio visual format for the projections program, qualified presenters for workshops, and practitioners working with large format, pinhole, lomo, macroscopy and other specialised photographic genres interested in organising gatherings of like-minded photographers during the festival. Email info@ballaratfoto.org for further details or call the office on [03]5331 4833 or Skype ballaratfoto.

Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2011 open section Call for entries $110,000 prize money. The Moran Arts Foundation invites photographers to submit photographic works in competition for the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2011 – Australia’s richest photographic prize.
Prize monies have increased for the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize 2011 and will be awarded as follows: $100,000 1st prize for the best photo based work. Highly commended works (up to 5 x $2,000 prizes) A maximum of 40 works will be selected as finalists. These works will be exhibited at the State Library of New South Wales 18th April until 10th July 2011 before touring Australia for a period of up to 12 months. Entrants in the Open Section are asked to interpret the theme “Contemporary Life in Australia” with an emphasis on Australians going about their day-to-day lives within their environment. The prize promotes contemporary photography and excellence in photo-based work, including all types of analogue and digital photography. Images can be either colour or black and white. The selection of finalists and the awarding of prizes will be determined by award winning Australian photographer, Samantha Everton. Closing time and date for entries is 5pm Tuesday 1 March 2011. For more information and to enter online go to www.moranprizes.com.au

2011 Windland Smith Rice International Awards for nature photography. Entries close May 5th, 2011. More information from http://www.naturesbestphotography.com/competition_overview.php

Veolia Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011. Entries close March 18th, 2011. Now in its 47th year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is an international showcase for the very best nature photography. The competition is owned by two UK institutions that pride themselves on revealing and championing the diversity of life on Earth – the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine. Entry details and more info at http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/wpy/competition/

even more happening stuff

The Australian Photography and Gallery Compendium www.thecompendium.com.au will be published in the autumn of 2011. It is designed to connect the artist who needs exposure with the collector who needs information. The Compendium is artistically designed and beautifully produced to present the artist’s best work in the best way and functions also as a source of information and informed opinion for the collector and photography lover. The Compendium 2011 is the photography book of its time and of its place. Submission guidelines for photographers are to be found by visiting www.thecompendium.com.au There are special offers available to galleries who wish to package 3 or 4 photographer under the one entry to make considerable savings. A limited release of single page entries, not found on the web, is currently available.
For more information chat to the publishers, Mary Meyer 0409 971 940 info@thecompendium.com.au or Bob Kersey 0411 857 747.

workshop stuff

Sun Studios present a professional lighting seminar with Peter Coulson [fr#813] in Melbourne on Feb 15th and in Sydney on Feb 22nd. There are still a few places left. For Melbourne call 9427 7440 and for Sydney call 9641 5555

exhibition stuff

Have decided to draw the line under exhibition notices. Would love to promote your shows, but everyone seems to be too lazy to send information in a format that I can easily cut and paste.
Seems I waste hours visiting websites, transcribing show information, ditto with pdf’s and all the other weird formats that I get sent. Well I aint gonna do it no more folks! If you want your show listed here, send me unformatted text in the body of an email, with all the details, including exhibition dates, gallery open hours etc. etc. and I will happily include it here.

Alternative Women Exhibition at Mountfords Gallery, Pemberton from 13 February 2011
Photographers, Elizabeth McCaig, cyannotypes; Helena Taelor, silver gelatine lith’ prints and C type colour prints and Tracey Mortimer, platinum-palladium prints. Mountfords Gallery is a Southern Forest Region of Western Australia gallery with six shows annually that are solo exhibitions or thematic group exhibitions – The gallery does not sell jarrah pens, tea towels or banksia drink coasters More details from http://www.mountfordwines.com.au/Gallery.html
John Austin [fr#708] has a permanent changing display of new large format silver gelatine prints on the ground floor, FIGJAM

Cuba by Masaki Hirano [fr#752] Still showing at the Radio Springs Hotel, Main Rd. Lyonville. [best little pub in Australia] Open Wednesday to Sunday.

Postcard from the North, a group exhibition of local and international artists exploring the postcard format through painting, photography, drawing and sculpture. Show continues to Feb 27th at ESP Gallery 228 Illawarra Rd Marrickville, NSW 2044. More info from www.esprojects.com.au

classified stuff

classifieds are free, but only run for one edition unless you email me to run in the following edition due to lack of enquiries, or you wish to delete, add, or change the price of items. Don’t send an essay – just item, price and contact details. KISS

A 287 page, hard cover book entitled ‘Ore What! A portrait of the people of Hill End. Pages can be ‘turned’ by visiting Peter Adams [fr#159] web site www.peteradams.com Books available directly through Peteradams.com $80 plus postage.

Newest free radical Zhenshi van Der Klooster [fr#829] has given me a Polaroid 5×4 back which is surplus to current needs. If anyone is interested, give me a shout and I can send it on for the cost of postage [and if you want to make a small donation to the free radical biscuit tin that would also be appreciated] email to free radicaloz [at] gmail.com

end stuff

Feeling neglected because of lack of information on events happening in your neck of the woods? I can’t include it if i don’t know about it!! Any editorial content, exhibition notices, classifieds etc. to free radicaloz [at] gmail.com

Lost your badge and forgotten your number? Check out the members page at freeradicaloz.com and if you would like a link to your website from our links page, send the details to cameron.stephen [at] gmail.com – obviously we wouldn’t say no to a reciprocal link!

Too busy to find time to read the notes? not happy with the left leaning Luddite editor?
Simple reply with ‘unsubscribe’ in the subject field and your details will be smitten from the address book – no questions asked.

free radical World HQ
37 Coliban Drive
Lyonville Vic
3461

R Chee Ball Prize 2011

Conditions of entry

Photographers are invited to enter one only photographic self portrait [by definition, a self portrait is a photograph made by the photographer of  him or herself, and not a photograph of the photographer made by another person]

Size:

Self portrait can be any size up to 24 inches on the longest image side.

There is no minimum size restriction.

Medium:

Self portraits can be submitted on any recognised paper based photographic medium. [Sorry, we cannot accept entries printed onto metal, stucco or similar rigid materials] Self portraits can be made from either analogue or digital capture [excluding CGI]

Closing date for entry:

Close of business, Friday August 12th 2011. Entries arriving after this date will not be included in the show.

How to submit:

Entries must be submitted unframed and unmatted and without any backing material. Entries will only be accepted by post to:

BIFB
R Chee Ball Prize
PO Box 41
Ballarat  Vic.
Australia 3353

[We recommend sending your entry rolled in an Australian Post mailing tube]

Entry fee:

Cost per entry is AU$10 for free radical members, and BIFB members, and AU$15 for others. Entry fee can only be paid by cheque or cash. Make cheques payable to VPSY.

If you wish to also become a free radical member, include an extra AU$10 for life membership.

Information on the free radicals is available from www.feeradicaloz.com

To become a BIFB member download a member form from www.ballaratfoto.org/bifb11/member

Markings on print:

All entries must  be marked on the back with the following:

Artist name
Address
Telephone number
Email

You may sign your print on the front if you so wish

Entry form:

Each entry must be accompanied by a  signed copy of the  official entry form (right click or control-click on mac to download document and print from this link).

Exhibition:

The  R Chee Ball Prize will be part of the Special Events Program at the Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2011.  The venue for the exhibition will be announced closer to the date. All  valid entries will  be included in the exhibition.

Return of entry:

Entries will only be returned if  accompanied by sufficient return postage and packing materials, otherwise images will be distributed, auctioned or destroyed at the discretion of the oganisers.

Judging process:

The winner of the prize will be judged by popular vote of our audience.  Voting will commence from the opening of the exhibition on Saturday August 20^th 2011, and close at the end of the exhibition on Sunday September 18^th 2011.  Voting slips will be available only at the exhibition venue, and will require a gold coin donation per vote.  Votes may only be lodged in the voting box at the exhibition.  Donations will go into the free radical fund to support worthwhile photographic causes.

Insurance:

The organisers offer all care but no responsibility for works submitted into the Prize. Responsibility for insurance of submitted works if required lies solely with the entrant.

Fine print:

The organisers reserve the right to reject any entry that may be deemed to be too sexually explicit or may in some way be deemed highly defamatory.

Any condition not specifically mentioned herein will be resolved by the organisers giving fair and reasonable consideration to the matter, but their decisions will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Prize pool:

There will be two prize pools. One for the entry that attracts the most number of  public votes. [in the case of a tied number of votes, a draw will take place to decide the final winner] The other prize pool will be awarded to a voter in the prize by  a random draw from all voters.  Prize winners will be announced at the BIFB’11 volunteers vernissage  at the Mining Exchange  commencing at  4.00pm  on Sunday September 18^th 2011.  Winners will be advised by both email and telephone. Results will also be published on the BIFB and free radical websites.

For further information on the Prize or clarification on detail  email  Lawrence Winder

lawrencew@aussiebroadband.com.au

Check back occasionally  at the website  http://www.freeradicaloz.com  for updates on venue and prize pool details