free radical notes #94

Aforesaid Lectern # 94 8/3/08

Haiku stuff

My baby left me
She ran off with some dumb guy
Who ironed his shirts

website stuff

Still a bit of getting used to the gmail interface, but last edition of the notes seemed to get to most members. It was an effort to get all the addresses across, but now that that is all done, sending an edition is a good deal easier than with the humungous backwater, where I had to send the notes off in bundles of around 70 [any more at one time would apparently overtax Telstras bandwidth capacity] gmail will let me to send up to 500 at a time, so just two sends gets the notes from my purple television to every other free radical purple television in the world.

editorial stuff

The National Photographic Portrait Prize has been run and won By Robert Scott-Mitchell for his "Lindy Lee – Birth and Death". [see the finalists at this link]
Fiora Sacco won the Chillout Photography Prize for "Our Time' ~ chilloutprize link and the Moran Prize is announced this week [see the finalists at http://www.moranprizes.com.au/finalists.php?thecategory=open] so all you purveyors of items photographic watch out – there are a few cashed up photographers out there.

next meeting stuff

One for all you sandgropers who haven't yet found the motivation to organise a free radical get together for the last 6 or 7 years. I am proposing a gallery crawl of Foto Freo Perth exhibitions on Wednesday April 9th. Meet at 11.00am at Keith and Lottie and we will take it from there. On the list are Cracked, Kurb, Spectrum, Photo Art, Arthouse Central, the Showcase Space, Perth Concert Hall, and time permitting, Gadfly and MonArt. Also included will be a bite to eat somewhere good and cheap and lots of critical analyses. Hopefully someone will turn up with some wheels and local knowledge, coz my experience of Perth is limited at best. Don't forget to wear your free radical badge, and if you miss the starting gun, a phone call to 0437 853 129 will get you an update as to our whereabouts.

stuff that doesn't work stuff

Very much just about anything consumer-wise from my perspective – but gee! it looked so effective on the telly!!
case study #1: I purchased a garden chipper a couple of years ago that couldn't shred newspaper, but in the process of trying consumes gigawatts of electricity. It is quicker and more effective to take to a fallen branch or pruning with a pair of scissors and a pocket knife. It now gathers cobwebs as it sits forlornly in the shed.
case study #2: The ubiquitous Aussie blowfly sits outside my door waiting for me to crack it open just enough for it to ingress into my territory where it entertains itself for a couple of hours 'baiting the human'. On one such occasion, I reached for the can of 'fast knockdown' flyspray and scored a direct hit from close range. 15 minutes later he was still buzzing, which caused me to ponder on the term 'fast knockdown'. Is that a relative term? Does that mean - in relation to the normal lifespan of a blowfly? ie 14 to 28 days?!
case study #3: The front door catch on my Epson 3800 printer stopped functioning straight out of the box. I tried everything - the slow soft closure, the rapid firm method, the rapid firm method with swearing, the slow soft closure with swearing – nothing worked, Was I doomed to spend the rest of my life with a printer door propped closed by a can full of house paint? [I have found that full gloss acrylic works quite well] Then all of a sudden, said inoperable door catch becomes operable again – go figure?!! Now I am in a bit of a dilemma. Do I use the can of paint for it's intended purpose? or do I keep it in close proximity to the printer in case of a further malfunction?
case study #4: On my way to the big city [a trip I try to make as infrequently as possible] there has been installed a speedo checker. The one on the inside lane refuses to acknowledge the presence of a red van with yellow wheels. It registers a speed for the vehicle in front, and a speed for the vehicle behind, but not mine – I am beginning to develop a bit of a complex. The one in the outside lane does acknowledge my presence, except when I 'check speed here' at 100kph it registers 93kph. I have checked this on multiple occasions, and every time it reads 93kph. As an experiment, I went through at 110kp and it read 103kph - a consistent 7kph difference. This got me to thinking. If the error is 7kph across the whole speed range, and it is indeed a true reading, then if I travel at 7kph I won't be consuming any fuel because i'll be standing still. In fact, if I tavel at 6kph i'll be in fuel credit. I haven't yet been able to check out my theory, because travelling at 6 or 7kph in the outside lane on the Calder Freeway is just asking for trouble. But should you come across in your travels, a red transit with yellow wheels travelling at snails pace with a driver looking smugly superior you'll know the reason why

new members stuff

Air hair lair. Katrina Putker is the newest member of the free radicals. Katrina anted up with her ten bucks and got her badge by return post. Don't forget that 2008 is the year of the concerted membership drive, where every genuine free radical encourages just one non free radical to make one of the cheapest photographic investments ever – a free radical lifetime membership for a paltry ten bucks. You know the details!! And whilst on the subject, a cautionary tale from fr#679 Victor Joubert, who has ordered a replacement for his badge, stolen out of his camera bag!

other stuff

Foto Freo is just around the corner. FF 2008 kicks off on Friday April 4th for a month of photographic overload. If you can spare the time, it's a trip well worth making. For all the info, exhibition listings, seminars, workshops etc. check out the website fotofreo.com and get on their mailing list to keep in touch with FF 2008 events. Foto Freo is just around the corner. FF 2008 kicks off on Friday April 4th for a month of photographic overload. And if you are going to be there on Wednesday April 9th [see next meeting stuff] don't forget to pack your free radical badge

Re last months mention for all ex RMIT photographers, Gary Rook's farewell is on Tues April 8th at 6.30pm. Venue is the Main Gallery in the new RMIT Photography Department, level 3 building 36 [the ACTU Building opposite Storey Hall at 393 Swanston Street] If you plan on attending, RSVP to Alex Syndikas Alex Syndikas [fr#34] alex.syndikas [at] rmit.edu.au so he can order sufficient bottles of Bolly.

call for entry stuff

Head On Portrait Prize 2008 call for entries is now open. The deadline for submission is Friday 11pm, 28 March 2008. Head on Foundation invites photographers to submit works to the 2008 photographic portrait competition. Prizes will be awarded for the best 3 images. The selection of images will be based on the power of the photograph rather than the celebrity of the subject or photographer. Further prizes will be awarded to images selected by 'The Critic' and for 'People's Choice'. Total value of prizes is approximately $32,000. Head On finalists will be exhibited at the Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney 1 May - 7 June 2008 and then at the M16 Artspace, Canberra 9 - 22 July 2008 as part of Vivid National Photography Festival. Head On, now in its fifth year, has established itself as one of Australia's major photographic portrait exhibitions. It is committed to advancing photography as a popular art form and to support photographers from all genres through its exhibition and the newly established fund supported by Orient Capital. Further information can be found at www.headon.com.au

The F 2.8 Group is calling for entries for its Aug/Sept 2008 group photography exhibition. Theme is 'The Textured Environment.' Entries can be Analogue or Digital Photography. Venue is Upstairs, Flinders Lane Gallery. Application forms on the web site at http://www.twopointeight.com.au or enquiries to Melissa Morey [fr#516] mmorey [at] twopointeight.com.au

Kerala Gallery is hosting its second annual toy camera/pinhole camera and black & white (nude) exhibitions. Entries are now open for consideration.
Light Leaks 2008 - Exhibition dates: March 7 - 22 Opening night March 6th 6:30 - 8:30
Black & White (nude) 2008 Exhibition dates: June 14 - 28 Opening night June 13th 6:30 - 8:30 For entry details visit keralagallery.com.au

miscellaneous stuff

Canon is presenting the newest DSLR, the Canon 1Ds Mark III on March the 18th, at Federation square BMW space, This will prove to be a special event aimed at taking a closer look at the NEW Canon 1Ds Mark III. The evening is guaranteed to excite the sensors [sic] and have lots of fun. Last year we had around 100 photographers attend the Urs Buhlman event and the response was outstanding, this year we are set to have an even bigger show. RSVP: Jay collier by March the 4th. [little late I know, but I'm sure if you quote your fr badge number our friends at Canon will oblige] The AIPP Victorian Division is running a judges workshop at Sun Studios [formerly known as Baltronics] 100 Cubitt St Richmond from 1pm to 5pm on Weds March 19th. Details from the Vic AIPP website Sun Studios Brett Odgers Portrait Master Class in Melbourne on March 26th 10 - 4, also April 30th. More info and bookings Kodak Seminar Series – 'Photojournalism in the Online Age' with Kiwi Melanie Burford is in Brisbane on March 31st at 6.15pm at Griffith Uni, Qld College of Art, Auditorium S05 2.04, 226 Grey St Sth Brisbane, then Weds April 2nd at 6.15 at the Uni of NSW, College of Fine Arts, Lecture Theatre EG02, E block, Greens Rd Paddington, then Thurs April 3rd at 6.15 at the RMIT Kaleide Theatre, Building 8, level 2, 360 Swanston Street. Seminars are free, but bookings are essential. Respond to with name, date and location you will be attending.

exhibition stuff

I can't list it if I don't know about it - free radicals are scattered all over the country, so am happy to list your show be it in Melbourne, Darwin, Hobart or wherever. Send the details to free radicaloz [at] gmail.com Include details of opening and closing dates, gallery address, opening hours, and if you like, a brief synopsis of the show.
Send information as text only, preferably pasted into the body of an email and not as an attachment. Sometimes it's 4 - 6 weeks between editions of the notes, so if you want to be sure of getting a listing, get your details in early.

Lloyd Godman's installation exhibition Enlighten is at the Burrinja Gallery, 351 Glenfern Rd Upwey until March 30th. Over almost three decades Lloyd Godman's art has widened out from relatively traditional landscape photography to include elements of performance, audience participation and multi media installation to explore the tensions between electronic consumer society and the ecosystem. See Burrinja Gallery Website for information about workshop and exhibition programs with Lloyd. Gallery hours are Tues to Sun 10.30 - 5

MGA 2008 Fundraising Dinner & Auction. Dinner & Auction Saturday 05 April, 2008. Preview Exhibition 29 February to 05 April 2008
plus
In a different light: artists portrayed. Show current to 18 May, 2008
plus
Angela Lynkushka: Now that I am a Man I can go to War. show current to 27 April, 2008
At the Monash Gallery of Art Corner Jells & Ferntree Gully Roads, Wheelers Hill Victoria 3150 Tel: 03 9562 1569 mga (at) monash.vic.gov.au Web: www.mga.org.au Open: Tue-Fri: 10-5pm, Sat-Sun: 12-5pm, Mon & public holidays: closed. Gallery, gift shop, licensed cafe and sculpture park FREE ADMISSION

Angry Black Snake by Michael Corridore, plus Suburban Stormtroopers by Jonathan West, plus Cuttings – In the Forest of Images by Patrick Pound, plus Gone by Sheena Macrae, plus Sign of the Times – fashion photography by Rennie Ellis in the Projections window. All shows current to March 15th at the Centre for Contemporary Photography 404 George St, Fitzroy Vic 3065, Australia E info [at] ccp.org.au T + 61 3 9417 1549 Gallery Hours Wednesday–Saturday, 11am–6pm

Miscellanea Photogenica, salted paper prints by Ellie Young [fr#67] runs Feb 27 to March 22 at Photospace, 34 Dight St Collingwood. Official opening March 1st 4 – 7pm. Gallery hours Weds to Sat 12 – 5

Rainbow Photo Documentary by Arsineh Houspian [fr# 433] Opening 18th March, Closes on 18th May at the Horsham Regional Art Gallery. 80 Wilson Street Horsham 3400. Tel (03) 5362 2888 Hours Tues - Fri: 10am – 5pm Sat - Sun: 1pm - 4.30pm
Rainbow is a small town of 600 on the western edge of the Victorian Mallee. It's a community in decline where people have to help each other and work together just to keep the place alive. It used to be more than just a dot on the map: in 1909 it held the record for carting the largest quantity of wheat in Victoria. Historic murals are a constant reminder that the town's past is richer than its present. These days it's still a carefree world for children able to wander barefoot, trusting and happy. For some, the old ways are the only ways – rising early lifting, carrying, doing it all by hand. The older men meet at the 'Seat of Knowledge', outside the butcher shop (if you're under 75, you're called a 'blow in' and don't qualify for a place). Val Dixon, the hairdresser owns the meeting place for women. Often she has five ladies in there, with only two paying customers. It's all about a good chat: 'I hate doing a blow wave – it cuts out a good conversation.' Farmers still give directions in yards and miles. The hard yakka takes place in the shearing shed and the paddock, but most of the real business is still conducted at the kitchen table. Old timers, long hairs and travellers still line up at the bar in the two remaining pubs. Many of the towns social transactions still take place face-to-face instead of by phone or email. For many women, Wednesday afternoon bowls is the high point of the week. The Mallee is a sea of earth under an ocean of sky. Rainbow itself, is surrounded by the Big Desert on one side and endless acres of grain on the other three. The nearest large town Horsham is an hour away. Its difficult to imagine that you might feel confined in a place like this, but by my second day in town, everyone knew who I was and why I was there. All that space and nowhere to hide. After a week I was thankful my stay was temporary – but I knew that for those who live there, the pot of gold lies in Rainbow.

Places I've Been by Richard White [fr#99] Black and white photographs from the High Country, Nepal, NZ, USA and Australia is at the Muse Gallery of Milawa, at the Cheese Factory, Factory Rd Milawa. Show opens Sat April 5th to Monday April 28th. Gallery hours 10 -5 thurs to Monday and Public Holidays

Miscellanea Photogenica, salted paper prints by Ellie Young [fr#67] runs Feb 27 to March 22 at Photospace, 34 Dight St Collingwood. Official opening March 1st 4 – 7pm. Gallery hours Weds to Sat 12 – 5

Manicured Visions by Jacqui Henshaw [fr#52] is at Kozminsky Level 1, 421 Bourke St Melbourne from Feb 20 to March 15. Opening reception Weds Feb 20 from 6 – 8. RSVP to Danielle Draudt danielle [at] kozminsky.com.au

Gateways To The Soul: Expressions Of Iran (Persia) by Kristin Diemer & Mitra Malekzadeh.
Show runs 5 March - 29 March. Opening: Wednesday 5 March 6.00pm 2008 at Manningham Gallery, Manningham City Council, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster Vic 3108, Mel Ref: 33 F12 Gallery hours: Tuesday to Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday 2 - 5pm

classified stuff

I have the following gear now superfluous to my needs. All in excellent condition. Most is analogue/film related. I realize this is a diminishing market; so rather than pricing anything, I'd be interested in considering offers for the following:
Box 23x Lisco 4x5 double-dark slides.
Peak Model 2053 2x Folding Loupe.
2x Schneider 4x Loupes( both with black & translucent boots)
1x Schneider 8x Loupe (for ground-glass viewing)
1x Planistar Mains powered light box. Viewing area 41x30cm, Outside dimensions 52x45x5cm.
1x Planistar Rechargeable-Battery powered light box. Viewing area 27x21cm, O/Dims. 38x28.5x4cm. Complete with charger and briefcase. Runs for about 45 minutes per charge.
1x Ilford Digital Thermometer, Model DT30.
1x Minolta Colour Meter IIIF, complete with case, handbook and instruction manual.
Happy to provide further information to anyone interested. The gear is all in Melbourne.
Call John Kirby [fr#224] on 0428 688 126, or email jkirby [at] vicnet.net.au

Our resident propeller-head Cameron Stephen [fr#688] sends out a plea: I would like to venture into large format photography, but really can't afford the equipment, so was wondering if any free radical members could provide any 2nd hand parts/bellows/glass or whatever that they may have gathering dust and/or they are not using any more for me to cobble together a 4x5 format camera? As I am a R.N. with a love of photography, but limited funds (as many of us have, I do understand) any donations (and or suggestions/proposals) would be gratefully received and put to good use. I can be contacted at artpunk [at] gmail.com

Nikon D2x digital SLR camera body $2500 cables, box & books
Nikon 24-200mm 1: 2.8 D AF $1100
Nikon D70s Digital Camera SLR $1000
AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm 1:2.8-4 D lens $350
Nikon F80 film body x 2 $200 each
Nikon N80 film body $200
Nikon 801 film body $100
KODAK Pro 14n Digital Camera $800
Sigma 17-35mm D Aspherical 1: 2.8-4 $300 Nikon compatible
Tonika AT -X 24-200 Aspherical 1: 3.5-5.6 $500 Nikon compatible
Nikon SB- 80DX Speedlight/Flash Unit $200
Nikon SB- 28 Speedlight/Flash Unit $55

Open to offers- happy to trade for canon equipment. Mint condition gear-all lenses have had UV filters on so no scratches. Lucy Morton [fr#65] Melbourne 0416 257720 lucy [at] lucymorton.com.au

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

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