FOCALPOINTThe Official MIPP Newsletter February 2015

www.mipp-malta.comIssue No. 48

Editor:Th erese Debono

Assistant Editor:Kerstin Arnemann

Design:Th erese Debono

Article Vetting:Vince DeBono

Articles:Various contributors

Editorial Advice:Kevin Casha

Contact:newsletter@mipp-malta.com

Newsletter Team

So the AGM has come and gone and us committee members are full of enthusiasm to bring you the best events for this upcoming year!

Th is also means thats Kerstin & myself will be on board once again with the newsletter, and we hope to bring you the best we can to make your reading pleasureable but also informative.

February we are bringing you a great talk by artist David Pisani who practices with the photographic medium. His talk will surely be of interest to those of you who are keen of keeping the art in photography whilst still making a living.

EDITORIAL If you want your photos featured on the newsletter’s front page just send the images to newsletter@mipp-malta.com. Your contributions are always welcome!

Mid February we see Sergio Muscat’s opening of his exhibition called ‘Improvised Moves’. Th e exhibition runs till February 28th so try and fi nd the time to go and see it.

We also want to apologise for issuing this newsletter late, however we wanted to do this aft er the AGM so as to include a summary of it.

Meanwhile have a good month and keep warm!

Th erese & Kerstin!

Top Image:EditorTh erese DebonoAbove:Assistant EditorKerstin Arnemann

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CONTENTS

pg 2 President’s viewpoint Digital Photographer Practicepg 4 Featured MIPP member Etienne Cassarpg 14 Out & About February Eventspg 18 MIPP Monthly Talk ‘Th e Professional Artist’ with David Pisanipg 20 Th e Societies Winners Darrin Zammit Lupipg 22 Th e Societies Winners Romana Wyliepg 24 Th e Societies Winners Romana Wyliepg 26 MIPP Notice AGM Summarypg 27 MIPP Notice Studio Lights for hirepg 28 Member’s Gallery International Online Competition Standings

FEBRUARY 2015

cover artist Sergio Muscat

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“Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.” ~ Psalm 2:3

“Handel’s Messiah engulfs the church and in a dark corner at the back, a single light shines on the dancer who, enthralled by the music, dances, oblivious to my presence. I try to keep it that way. I don’t want to break the spell.

Th e question persistent in my mind, as I try to absorb the sensations around me, is “how do I bring this all together in an image?” I want to convey the sense of joy, peace – the power of the music and fl uidity of the dancer.

We are both improvising. Th ere isn’t much that can be done in terms of planning such a shoot, so I wanted to also convey the improvised nature of the exercise in the images I was taking. Th e camera was constantly stuck to my eye… and I followed.

Instinctively I squeezed the shutter, capturing long exposures of the dancer’s movements, while the music resounded constantly in my head. I let myself go, not even checking to see what was coming through except during the occasional break in music and dance. I was truly improvising, and I needed to set up the camera to refl ect that improvisation.”

Digital Photographer Practice

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Kevin Casha

As my background hails from conventional fi lm and the darkroom, I was perhaps initially a bit reluctant to accept Digital Photography when it appeared on the scene. I had not grown up with computers and, to me, I really did not relish having to start learning a new medium and new techniques to continue practicing and working with photography.

Still, although I take some time, I have never been averse to change and adapting, and aft er realizing that my work would not really be able to compete with work which was digitally enhanced, I plunged into embracing this new (at that time) medium. Th e more I went in depth, the more I realized that digital photography was not only here to stay, but had also given all photographers a great freedom to create and improve on our images. Today, no image goes out of my studio without being carefully looked at and digitally enhanced. Th is is not done for the sake of using digital programs and eff ects, but because I have realized that I can improve the quality of each and every image that comes out of my camera, no matter how carefully and technically I produce it in camera.

In my opinion, what a photographer

should keep in mind is not to overdo the editing and retouching on his images. I still strive to get it right fi rst time in the camera and reserve my editing to subtle, quite unnoticeable changes. I think that editing should, at most times, be subtle and not obvious - unless one is working towards an artistic abstract or fantasy image.

Naturally, one should also be aware not to over manipulate nature images and in photojournalism, only minimal editing should be employed, (such as colour balancing and cropping). In the photojournalism genre, the message is of the utmost importance and the photographer has an ethical responsibility of showing the truth.

Today’s photographer is more of an “Image Maker.” Not only does one have to learn the basics and technique, but one needs to master digital editing soft ware, be aware of design elements as well as study the work of successful photographers and pioneers who have blazed a trail in this art. Today, a photographer worth his salt needs to keep abreast with technological changes that are constantly altering the way we produce and look at photographs, so that one can always improve on the quality of one’s product

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viewpoint

– the photographs. Digital Photography has really given back photography to the masses, even more so than the Kodak Brownie. . Th e pressure on producing striking images and being creative is ever so vital and important. If a photographer’s work is to be noticed, it really has to stand head and shoulders above that which a multitude of people possessing good cameras are currently producing. Before one clicks a photo, always ask if the shot is going to be diff erent to those thousands shot by the ‘normal’ happy go lucky person who own a good camera.

Otherwise, who is going to notice or pay money for a quality of work which can be duplicated by a lesser knowledgeable photographer?

Image 1 Image 2

Image 3

Image 1 is the original off camera shot with minor tweaks in LR. Image 2 has very subtle editing, which enhances on Image 1. Whereas Image 3 is a typical example of an over processed image. Looks like someone was happy with pl-ugins and decided to try them all on the same image!

The Leap from Techinical to ArtisticIn this month’s edition we decided to feature Etienne Cassar, who has been into photography since the analogue days, however he made the leap from the techinical side to the artistic side....Read on to fi nd out what he has to say about his journey!

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It came quite as a surprise to me when I was approached by Th erese and Kerstin a few days ago and asked to be featured in the MIPP newsletter. Th e hectic life that we lead never leaves us the time to refl ect about ourselves, and about where our journeys are heading. So I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to stop for a moment, sit down and try and make myself aware of where I’ve been, what I am doing and where I am heading with regards to my journey in photography.

So where did this passion for photography start? I’m afraid that I can’t give a straight forward answer to this question. As a young boy I never used to own a photographic camera but remember quite well that I was fascinated whenever I saw one. It was not before reaching age 18 that I had the opportunity to attend a beginner’s photography course and start learning the basics. Th is led

me to buy my fi rst fi lm SLR camera almost a year later. My knowledge of photography was still very limited, and I was more interested in the process of photography, in the science and physics behind it, rather than in the artistic part. At the time I used to measure my photographic skill by the number of photos that I manage to get back from a roll of fi lm. I used to feel good because the processing lab was able to give me a print from every exposure that I did.

With the introduction of internet and digital photography things changed a bit. As soon as digital SLR cameras became aff ordable, I took the plunge and bought my second camera. Now I could take more pictures without having to worry about developing costs. Finally I could experiment and see the result right away. I used to spend hours on end surfi ng the net learning more and more about the science of photography and getting

featured member

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Previous Page: Fairytale NightTh is Page: Calm & Still

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as technical as can be. I used to read a lot about how digital camera sensors work, why you get increased noise with increase in ISO, and why you get more noise in shadow areas rather than in highlight areas, what is a colour space, what is a colour profi le, and the list goes on. But I soon discovered that no matter how much knowledge I was gaining, and how much reading I was doing on the subject, my pictures were still lacking something. I was kind of getting lost behind technicalities and equipment. It was only then that I realised that there is much more to photography than just science. On my own I was coming to a halt and couldn’t move on in my journey. Th at is when I decided to join the MIPP.

Still, this was just the fi rst step forward. I knew that to improve, I had to start sharing my work with other photographers while, at the same time, be open to criticism. Initially, I was very reluctant to do this and was afraid that any criticism will put me off and make me feel bad. But luckily, with the help of a couple of members of the MIPP that I now consider to be great friends, I have managed to start breaking my shell and to start pushing my boundaries. Now my journey in learning photography has taken a whole new route. I am discovering new aspects and new Opposite Page: Street Life

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styles of photography that I never knew existed. I’m not just limiting myself to taking pictures when I’m on vacation abroad. Photography now is helping me discover and fi nd inspiration in places here in Malta. Whenever I have some free time at home I try to create pictures using stuff that I fi nd, like kitchen utensils, oil, water, and smoke. Whereas before I used to struggle to try and not have any people visible in my photos of locations, now I actually wait for people to walk in front of my camera to be included and form part of my picture. Lately I also started to try some astrophotography at night, which I am fi nding to be quite challenging.

So, even though I’ve been taking pictures since I was 19yrs, it is only now that I feel like I am on the right track in my journey in photography. Where am I heading, or where I want to go from here? I think that there is so much to discover both in photography and in the world around us, that it is diffi cult to predict where this journey will take me. What is sure is that I have to continue to try hard and continue to push my boundaries, possibly become more creative with my photographs, and not be afraid to step out of my comfort zone and try new things. It is only like that that I can discover what I am really capable of doing and what I can achieve.

Opposite Page: Lonliness

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Th is Spread: Mysterious VisitorArticle & Images by Etienne Cassar

February EventsOUT AND ABOUTSince art is not only about photography, Kerstin came up with the brilliant idea of selecting a few monthly events and pointing them out to our members so that you visit these interesting exhibitions/installations/book launches and be inspired! Enjoy!

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MIPP members Sergio Muscat and Th erese Debono, together with Anna Galea, Anna Grima, David Xuereb & Ray Azzopardi are the exhibitors at this exhibition held at PN Headquarters in Pieta.

Works vary from photography, painting and sculptor. Th e opening was held on 29th January, however the exhibition runs till end of February and is open all day.

Diversita

Diversita, Collective Art Exhitibitionat Malta Society of Arts. Republic Street 219, Val-letta30. January - 27. February

https://www.facebook.com/MaltaSocietyofArts/photos/a.449102731775548.105465.449074878445000/915963655089451/?type=1&theater

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A JunctionCollective Art Exhibition

Exhibition artists:Gabriel ButtigiegFabio D’AmatoRyan FalzonSarah MamoRobert ZahraAndrea ZerafaSarah Maria SciclunaSabrina Calleja Jackson Venue: Xarolla Windmill, ZurrieqInfo:https://www.facebook.com/events/1552030925066274/?sid_remind-er=378709183706431488

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Kevin Casha will be conducting a series of talks on iconic American Photographers. Th e talks will be hosted and supported by the American Embassy in Malta. He will be reviewing the life and work of Gordon Parks. Th is series of talks is aimed at creating awareness about Photographers who have strongly impacted the lives of many people around them. *Places are limited on a ‘fi rst come fi rst served’ basis and those who accept this invitation to attend need to register by sending an email to the US Embassy on usembmalta@state.gov or contacting Ms Joanna Zingariello, Press, Protocol and Exchanges Assistant US Embassy Valletta, Malta

Email zingarielloj@state.govOffi ce +356 2561-4147 È Cell +356 9985-6314

Improvised Moves

Th e “Improvised Moves” photographic exhibition by Sergio Muscat is part of Goldberg Ensemble Malta’s project - Rejoice! - based on Handel’s Messiah. It is the result of a collaboration between the Ensemble and artist Sergio Muscat together with dancer Liana Vella-Zarb and lights technician Joseph Azzopardi. Th e project received funding from the Malta Arts Fund and sponsorship from Th e Palace together with MIB.

Th e exhibition will be held at Th e Palace Hotel in Sliema, and will run from the 16th till 28th February.

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The Professional Artist

THE PROFESSIONAL ARTISTCONFLICT AND COMPROMISE

David Pisani is a professional photographer specializing in Architecture and urban reportage. He is the author of an extensive

personal photographic essay on Valletta entitled ‘Vanishing Valletta’ which in the year 2000 was included in the permanent collections of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. Vanishing Valletta was also published as a monograph in 2007. He has also produced a

photographic essay on the city of Dubai entitled ‘Future City’ which was commissioned by Emirates Airlines for their corporate art

collection. His most recent work includes two photographic essays on the war zones in Cyprus and the city of Kyoto. He is a fanatical

darkroom printer with more than 25 years experience in commercial and fi ne art printing.

David Pisani

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MIPP Member and photo journalist Darrin Zammit Lupi won the Documentary Photographer of the Year 2014 award & also placed Second in Th e Societies Photographer of the Year 2014.

Winning Image:“Th e picture shows a Somali woman making paper bracelets beneath a graffi ti-covered wall in a dormitory at the Lyster barracks detention centre.

Judges’ comments on this image:“It has a strong narrative with excellent composition – the emotive words along with the action of the subject tell a powerful story.”

2014 has been another incredible year for Th e Societies’ Monthly Image Competition with 12,694 images from all over the globe entered throughout the year.

Phil Jones Th e Societies’ CEO says, “Th is year we have seen a fantastic range of images and the standard has been very high. Th e Photographer of the Year Awards represent some of the fi nest images entered into the competition and have competed against some of the world’s best photographers. Congratulations to all our winners.” Th e Awards gala dinner, the highlight of Th e Societies 2015 Convention, was held on 17th January 2015 at Th e Hilton Metropole Hotel in London.

Th e Societies is Europe’s largest all-welcome association for the serious photographer.

Darrin’s comments - Th e award for one of my pictures on migration, coming hot on the heels of the publication of my book Isle Landers, is a fantastic rounding-off to what has been a roller coaster ride of a year. Immigration is a very hot topic in the UK, as well as in Malta, so having the picture do so well in one of the UK’s top photography contests means a lot to me. Aft er the awards ceremony, loads of people came up to me wanting to know more about the situation in Malta, and that can only be a good thing.

Success for Local Photographer at The Societies Convention

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Above: Th e Societies’ CEO Phil Jones presenting Th e Societies’ 2nd Place Photographer of the Year 2014 award, sponsored by Canon UK, to Darrin Zammit Lupi.

Above: Th e Winning Image 21

Success for MIPP Member at The Societies Convention

MIPP Member Romana Wylie won the “Portraiture Studio Photographer of the Year 2014”, this January at Th e Societies Convention in London.

Judges’ comments on this image:“It is great to see an image that has broken the rules and achieved a great result. Colour, contrast and exposure have been well handled giving this image a complete rounded appearance.”

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Above: Ben Jones Societies’ Online News Editor with Romana Wyllie

Above: Th e Winning Image 23

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3rd February 2015; Le Meridien

Th e meeting started at 7:45pm, with an attendance of 26 members.

Charles Calleja read the Secretary General’s Report and Martin Agius read the Book Keeping report.

Kevin Casha, went through the amendments to the statute. All amendments passed, except for one which has to be revised.

Th e amendment regarding the committee members going down to 5 members instead of 7 went through so the New Committee Members are:

Kevin Casha, Martin Agius, Th erese Debono, Sergio Morana and Duncan Cauchi.

Heartfelt thanks go to Charles Calleja and Ramon Sammut, who for this year opted out of the Executive Committee due to personal reasons. We wish them all the best.

Towards the end of the meeting Kevin Casha asked members if they have any suggestions to make. Sergio Muscat asked members aft er the lack of attendance during the October/November Convention, however nothing was conclusive.

John Ambrogio suggested that MIPP speaks to MQC to get the Licentiate Panel recognised as a qualifi cation.

Minutes will follow to members by email.

AGM SUMMARY

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CALENDAR11th FebruaryPTYA - Contemporary Portraiture19:30hrs, Le Meridien

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3rd MarchMonthly Talk with Guido Bonett19:30hrs, Le Meridien

12th FebruaryMonthly Talk with David Pisani

19:30hrs, Le Meridien

10th MarchInt. Online Competition - Session 2

19:30hrs, Le Meridien

22nd MarchOne Day Seminar Venue and schedule tbc

Th is set of electronic studio fl ash units has been kindly donated to the MIPP by PHOTOIMAGES (photoimages@maltanet.net ) of Laurent Ropa Street, Birkirkara, who are now under the management of Matthew Briff a. Photoimages are the distributors of Interfi t lighting and a host of other accessories useful for both the hobbyist and the professional photographer. To further increase the service we give to MIPP members, we are happy to announce that the MIPP is now in possession of an INTERFIT EX150 MK.3 KIT.

Th e MIPP intends to rent out these lights to members at a very nominal fee, thus members who could hitherto not aff ord to practice studio photography, because of lack of studio lighting equipment, will now have an opportunity to do so. Th is adds another tangible benefi t to our members, and I would also like to remind members that there is also the possibility of being loaned picture frames from the MIPP for exhibition purposes.

Th ose who are interested to rent out the lights are to contact Sergio Morana on sergio.morana@gmail.com.

STUDIO FLASH UNITS AVAILABLE FOR RENTING

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MEMBERS’ GALLERY

Above: Gold Award for Romana Wylie28

Above: Silver Award for Sandra Hotrum

Above: Silver Award for George AbdillaLeft : Silver Award for Tom Lee

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