Yes you read it right. And yes, it's Andrew G from Australian Idol. And no, we weren't aware that he was a photographer either. Nevertheless Mr. G is showcasing a year's worth of self-portraits in an exhibition aptly titled 365.

The Australian Idol host and 2DayFM announcer has taken a photograph of himself every day for a year and will be exhibiting the results. Andrew snapped himself at his LA home, where he has lived for a year, as well as in Spain and Isreal. The resulting images will be showcased at Surry Hills' Mart Gallery from September 15.

"Since I was given my first camera for Christmas when I was about seven - it was a Kodak Instant - I have always been into photography," he told The Daily Telegraph.

We can't help but think that, well... Lots of people claim to be "into" photography, and a select group put in time and effort (and money) taking classes and really learning how to take a good photograph. It is these people who would love to have their own exhibition in a Surry Hills gallery, but are being overlooked because someone semi-famous bought a camera.

Andrew refers to this exhibition as "a dream come true" but isn't it more deserved by, dare we say it, actual photographers? We can't help but think that this is like those famous actors that spontaneously launch an auto-tune fuelled singing career just because they can.

Still, judge for yourself. An interview with Andrew and some of his self-portraits can be found here.

British Fashion Photographer Corinne Day passed away on th 27th of August from a long term illness.

Day was credited with creating the heroine chic movement after splitting from the 80's high glamour photography of the day and shooting a grungy looking model, the then unknown Kate Moss. The heroine chic look spread across the fashion world like wildfire, however, it soon became mired in controversy and was accused of glamourising drugs and encouraging anorexia.

This lead to Day distancing herself from fashion for a period and exploring projects in other areas such as commerical and fine art photography in which she gain acclaim before returning to fashion in 2000 shooting for Vogue and other well known publications.

www.corinneday.co.uk

Our very first Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Week is the wonderful CarolineG…

Caroline is based in Melbourne, Australia and does a lot of wedding photography. Her work her in the gallery was chosen because it shows a beautiful sensitivity towards her subjects, capturing the artist essence of a range of subjects.

Check out her gallery. www.photoartgallery.com/artist/CarolineG

Here are couple of gems to whet your appetite.........

The winner of this years AOP - Association of Photographers Open competition has been announced as Australia's own Adrian Cook.

The 2010 AOP Open was judged by five renowned professionals, who sorted through the 1300 entries before giving the coveted Best in Show award to Cook for his beautiful shot titled, 'That Summer'.

Judge Martin Brent explained their choice: "I chose this image as Best in Show because it has a genuine honesty, it's refreshing, it's a caught moment, the kind of moment that photography is all about. Emotion is conveyed, the kids are clearly having a great time, Mom (?) is relaxed and it's an intimate family moment that we are allowed to share without feeling voyeuristic. When Kodak came up with the trademark catch phrase 'a Kodak moment' I think this is what they had in mind."

The other winner was London photographer Luc Coiffait who picked up the Public Choice Award with a massive 20% of the votes. Coiffaits stunning black and white portrait titled 'Enchanted' is inspired by his fashion background.

awards.the-aop.org

The weekend saw a huge number of photographers and artists publicly protesting the ludicrous fees imposed on them just so they can shoot Australia's iconic landmarks. We brought news of the coming protest recently here

Here's what went down:

About 1,000 commercial photographers in Australia gathered in Sydney Harbour on Sunday, using their cameras to protest against laws requiring them to have costly permits to take pictures of landmarks.
The group, with members from across the country, carried banners proclaiming "Artists have rights to sell their work" and "Capture the moment, not the photographer."
The demonstrators then took photos of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge as part of their Sunday morning protest.
Different levels of government have imposed rules concerning some iconic landmarks, including Sydney Harbour, the city's Bondi Beach and Uluru in the north, once known as Ayer's Rock.
Photographers say the rules are inconsistent and many fees are exorbitant.
"It's not just the cost of photographic permits, it's the logistics of getting a permit," landscape photographer Ken Duncan told the Australian Associated Press.
Duncan says the red tape is causing many to give up on their creative pursuit. The costs of a permit can vary, depending on location, time of day and number of crew involved.
The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority requires commercial photographers to pay a minimum $150 AUD ($141 Cdn) per session if more than 10 crew are involved. That's in addition to $65 an hour for a site co-ordinator, $65 an hour for security and an additional $65 an hour for cleaning. Each of those services must be paid a minimum four hours.
"There are so many expenses, including travel expenses, accommodation and the cost of permits," said wedding and portrait photographer Graham Monro, who added that many of his colleagues can barely make a profit.

Let's hope something postive comes out of this. Did you get down there with your fellow artists?

Commerical photographers are not allowed to take shots of the Sydney Opera House or Harbour Bridge unless they shell out hundreds of dollars in fees. (Rob Griffith/Associated Press)

Melbourne photographer Bindi Cole is forging a name for herself on the Australian art scene. Inspired by her grandmothers experiences as part of the stolen generation, her work focuses on some uncomfortable truths concerning Australian and Indgineous culture. This work has won her acclaim, including the 2009 Deadly Art Award and recently a commission by Arts Victoria to travel to the Tiwi Islands to photograph a very special community.

The SistaGirls are a community of Indigenous transgender men and became the subjects of a month long photoshoot by Cole. The Yimpinni or SistaGirls were once valued as nurtures in their communities but now, much like in the Western community are treated like outcasts.

"During late 2009, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to spend a month living with the Sistagirls on the Tiwi Islands creating a series of highly stylised portraits of them.  I loaded a barge with a four-wheel drive, lights, a generator, cameras and enough film to fill a suitcase.  Each day brought an emotional roller coaster from moments of elation around what was being achieved with the images to complete anxiety from the many dramas that occurred.  This time has affected me in a profound way.  The Sistagirls have touched my heart.  I only hope that in some way I have captured the essence of who they are and the spirit of their community."

http://www.bindicoleissnaphappy.blogspot.com/

Today’s Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Day is the wonderful Kaysirrah…

Kaysirrah's vibrant images are very compostition strong and have an abstract inspiration.

Check out their gallery. http://www.photoartgallery.com/artist/Kaysirrah

Here are couple of gems to whet your appetite…

Grab something personal for Dad this Father's Day. Head over to Photo Art Centre and put your mug on a mug for your old man.

Tell Dad you love him by bringing him a Father's Day brekkie in bed, where he can sip his coffee from a mug with your picture on it! Or if you're camera shy, one of your photographs that you know he'll love.

It's easy! Just follow the simple steps right here at Photo Art Centre.

Today’s Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Day is the wonderful brianfisher!

Brian Fisher's photographs show he has a great eye for composition. The subject matter of his work is often simple, but captured in a beautiful way.

Check out their gallery. www.photoartgallery.com/artist/brianfisher

Here's a couple of gems to whet your appetite...

Ampersand Magazine is holding it's first photography competition, open to amateurs and professionals alike, you can enter to win the chance of your images being published and exhibited.

AMPERSAND MAGAZINE # 3 The Fade
CAPTURE THE FADE Photography Competition
GUEST JUDGE Bill Henson

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: Monday July 26 - Monday August 30 2010

Ampersand is very pleased to invite you to submit to its first annual open photography competition. Whether you are a professional photographer or a dentist who happens to own a camera, we are looking for creative, evocative, humorous and thoughtful photographic responses to the theme, The Fade.

Submissions may or may not be landscapes, portraits, still lifes, wedding photography, glamour shots, theatrical scenes, wildlife, marketing photography, food photography, fashion photography, paparazzi or photojournalism. They may or may not be spontaneous or staged. They may or may not be natural or digitally augmented.

All submissions will appear on the Capture The Fade blog. Winning submissions will be exhibited by Ampersand Magazine at the Capture The Fade exhibition & published in Ampersand # 3 – The Fade and the overall winner will be profiled in that issue.

SUBMISSIONS TO
simone@ampersandmagazine.com.au
with the subject heading CAPTURE THE FADE

ENQUIRIES TO
chloe@ampersandmagazine.com.au

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- Submit a maximum of four photographs
- All images must be in JPEG format. MAX: 768 x 1024 pixels 1MB per image.
- Files must be named in this order: FIRSTNAME_SURNAME_TITLE.jpg
- One single page containing a max. 200-word description of the photograph(s) AND a max. 100-word biography of yourself.
- Submit a completed and signed copy of the release form, downloadable here: http://ampersandmagazine.com.au/files/CaptureTheFade_ReleaseForm%20PDF.pdf. The signed release form must be emailed with all submissions.
-Winners will be contacted by Ampersand for High Resolution versions of their photographs. Works will be printed for exhibition at 16 x 20 in. Please ensure that all submitted photographs can be resupplied at this size.

- Only correct and complete submissions will be considered for publication.

CHECKLIST:
- Up to four photographs MAX: 768 x 1024 pixels 1MB per image.
- One page Word document containing description and bio
- Release form (link above) signed and completed

http://ampersandmagazine.com/

Today’s Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Day is the wonderful nlhphotography…

nlhphotography's images focus on nature and the beautiful flora she encounters.

Check out their gallery. http://www.photoartgallery.com/artist/nlhphotography

Here are couple of gems to whet your appetite…

We have often talked on this blog about the recent difficulties facing photographers shooting in public places, well Sunday, August 29th at Campbells Cove in Sydney photographers will be letting everyone know exactly how they feel in the form of a rally.

Join Ken Duncan and other top photographers to protest the restricted access to public sites and the unfair treatment and attitudes towards photographers. The organisers want professional and amateurs alike to turn up with their cameras and tripods and fight for their rights. 

For all enquires phone (02) 4307 8409

www.artsfreedomaustralia.com

Today’s Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Day is the wonderful ajeffery02 …

ajeffery02's image collection is refreshingly eclectic with an ability to shoot a range of subjects with a sense of drama. 

Check out their gallery. http://www.photoartgallery.com/artist/ajeffery02

Here are couple of gems to whet your appetite…

Jazz photographer Herman Leonard has sadly passed away this week in Los Angeles at the age of 87.

Leonard became a legend of Jazz photography with his smoky, backlight black and white shots defining the scene from the late 1940's when he began shooting. Icons of Jazz such as Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis were all captured in his images.

Leonard himself lead a colourful life, born in Allentown, PA he studied photography at University in Ohio before spending time in the army. After his stint he returned to photography where his career took him to work in New York, Paris and the Far East for private clients and commerical publications such as Playboy. However, he always remained loyal to his first passion of Jazz and it is his work here that he will be best remembered for.

Leonard is survived by his children Valerie, Shana, Michael, David and his six grandchildren.

Today's photographer of the day is the wonderful GabrieldeMorant!

GabrieldeMorant's work is a stunning collection of dramatic of black and white landscapes work.

Check out their gallery at http://www.photoartgallery.com/artist/GabrieldeMorant

Here's a couple of images to whet your appetite......

Yesterday, August 19th, was World Photography Day..... really! The day has it's origins dating back to 1839 when Louis Daguerre announced his Daguerreotype photographic process, otherwise known as the birth of modern photography.

Now 171 years later our world would be a very different place without it and we at photoartgallery.com would not exist! So to celebrate the passing of another year with modern photography in our lives we have choosen a selection of images from the gallery that capture our world through the eyes of a lens!

www.worldphotoday.org

Today’s Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Day is the wonderful chrisppictures…

"I love the happiness I can bring to a mother's face as she sees her baby's portrait. A photo is a way of freezing time, capturing that moment and I'm thankful we have photos that enable us to sit back and reflect on our special memories."

Check out their gallery. http://www.photoartgallery.com/artist/chrisppictures

Here are couple of gems to whet your appetite…

Today's Photo Art Gallery Photographer of the Day is the awesome zuzikk!

Zuzana Kabastova has a wonderful range of landscape and macro photographs in her gallery. Street views, waterscapes and still lives all beautifully captured with her Canon 5D.

Check out her gallery at http://www.photoartgallery.com/artist/zuzikk

Here are a couple of sneak peeks...

Topaz Labs announces a major upgrade of the Topaz DeNoise plug-in, which features a double increase in speed, double the maximum image size and many additional noise reduction capabilities. Powered by unique Intellinoise technology, Topaz DeNoise 5 specializes in quickly reducing heavy noise while preserving detail in high-ISO images.

“DeNoise 5 is twice as fast as its predecessor. It also introduces unique shadow tone restoration and dual-directional debanding capabilities, which enable photographers to solve additional problems caused by heavy noise,” said Dr. Albert Yang, President of Topaz Labs. "We're very pleased to be able to offer these new noise reduction features to our customers."

Nichole Paschal, photographer and Marketing Specialist for Topaz Labs, explains, “The new Correct Black Level parameter in Topaz DeNoise 5 restores image richness by removing hazy color casts that appear in shadow areas. It also eliminates both horizontal and vertical banding noise, often visible as lines that extend across high ISO images. With these two new features, DeNoise 5 now offers users the ability to solve more noise reduction issues than ever before."

The new Topaz DeNoise 5 plug-in is the only commercial noise reduction software to remove high ISO noise while simultaneously recovering details, and now processes at twice the speed of earlier versions. It is a plug-in that works with a variety of host programs including Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Aperture, iPhoto and Lightroom. Topaz DeNoise 5 is a free upgrade for existing DeNoise customers and retails for $79.99. For more information or to download a 30-day trial of Topaz DeNoise 5, visit the homepage at http://www.topazlabs.com/denoise.

Want to try something different? We're sick of the same old galleries in Sydney so we thought we'd do dome exploring around the net to find some new edgy haunts in the underground art circuit on your behalf.

Urban Uprising

Shows prints and originals of graffiti masters including Banksy, Pure Evil and Shepard Fairey.
Located at Surry Hills

Monster Children

Features exhibitions from street-inspired and contemporary artists from Japan, Australia, the USA and more.
Located at Darlinghurst


Outré Gallery

A shop and gallery specialising in international contemporary pop, surrealism, street, retro, and underground styles.
Located at Darlinghurst.


China Heights

The weekly shows of street artists by the likes of Bigfoot and Zoo York continue to draw a crowd of hipsters.
Located at Darlinghurst


Go Font Ur Self*

A font design alone can speak a thousand words, and this regular exhibition night shows urban, street and pop artists using them in creative and inventive ways. Regular shows are held at Peer Gallery.
Located at Glebe


Locksmith Project Space

This free exhibition space showcases experimental music, film, and video.
Located at Alexandria

Black & Blue Gallery

Established and emerging artists from a range of styles both exhibit and create their work here.
Located at Redfern


Firstdraft Gallery

A street-art creative powerhouse, specialising in supporting emerging experimental artists.
Located at Surry Hills


At the Vanishing Point

New and emerging contemporary, cutting-edge works.
Located at Newtown