Photography Lessons in Port Douglas
ali george & lizzy sawdon at work
With 6 years of English teaching to all levels of the school and business system in Japan, I love teaching. I also believe that we should all share the knowledge that we have, and so I have decided to combine my two skills of photography and teaching, and become a photography teacher here in Port Douglas.
Who can take lessons? I will teach anyone: Individuals/groups, kids/grownups, beginners/intermediate photographers.
My photography classes in Port Douglas, Mossman and Daintree will take you through technical, subject and project based learning. We’ll study the basics of the camera setting triangle: ISO, shutterspeed and aperture, as well as understanding the power of light and framing. We’ll practice what you learn throughout the lesson by doing photo walks, then bringing the images back to the computer for post production. I’ll introduce the different kinds of software available for post production in the digital darkroom, and show you how to use them.
Lessons start at $50 per hour, with negotiable group rates available.
Please direct inquiries through the contact form or at martinecottonphotography@gmail.com
Burlesque Scene in Tokyo
I was lucky enough to become involved in the Tokyo Burlesque Scene through my work as the photographer for the Tokyo Dr Sketchy’s group. In the last month before I left Japan to return to Australia, the stars of the scene and I began a photographic collaboration that will hopefully lead us all to bigger and better things. Here are some teaser shots from those sessions….
Port Douglas
The Junk above is an icon of Port Douglas – a lovely sailing boat that takes tourists out to the reef and on sunset cruises. One of my favourite sights!
Port Douglas. Love this town. I’ve been back here about 10 weeks now, done about one photo job for every week I’ve been here. Which is a nice handy pace considering I’m working my ass off as one of the coordinators of the towns annual Carnivale, 5 days a week. I’m working towards that day when Carnivale is all over (June 1) and I can focus on being a full time photographer here.
To that end I just tied up a sponsorship deal with the local Chamber of Commerce in which I become the Official Event Photographer for 2009 Port Douglas Carnivale. This means that I am going to do a truckload of free photography for the community events which are a part of Carnivale in an effort to get my name out there. I hope that doing this will pay off for me:
- by getting my name and services out there and widely visible,
- and that the commercial event managers will employ me.
Doing pro bono work as a photographer is sometimes seen as betraying yourself and your fellow photographers by devaluing public perception of photographers rights & services, but you know, community participation is vitally important and none of these community groups have the money to pay a professional photographer. Yet without great, dynamic images, the entire event suffers because it’s so hard to get decent media coverage. So actually, rather than devaluing public perception, I hope that I actually garner some respect and support and the whole action-reaction process society runs on will see me get rewarded with paid work.
Bellydancer Lisa
Lisa is a semi-pro bellydancer. Recently she performed in a big bellydance show, and hired a special costume for 2 weeks especially for the show. It was so gorgeous that she asked me to get some pic’s of her wearing it for her future publicity shots. Fabulous. I went to see the show, it was bloody fantabulous. All those gorgeous curves and costumes! A photographers dream.
I'm having an exhibition – one night only – The Dr Sketchy's Exhibition Party!
Dear Blog Friends,
I’m writing to invite you to my third (and perhaps my last?) photo exhibition in Tokyo, next weekend – Saturday November 22. This party/exhibition is the beginning of the end of my time here in Japan, the beginning of the sayonara process…. Oh how the next few weeks and months will fly!
Anyway, back to the exhibition party. I’d love to see you there.
The event will feature a 3 set performance incorporating 6 different shows by various dancin’ girls, and will run from 9 pm – 2 pm, with an afterparty at a different club afterwards. There will also be an art exhibition and a photo exhibition (mine), and 4 different DJ’s. I will be showing 15 different photos – half of them Dr Sketchy’s models, the other half various portraits I have shot over the past year, all printed on canvas at 28cm x 43cm. They will all be available for purchase, natch. We’re also making a calendar with some of the pictures from the massive haul I’ve shot over the past 7 months at the monthly Dr SKetchy drawing night (sooo much fun).
My involvement with Dr Sketchy’s Tokyo has been a truly special experience, and I’m proud to have been a part of the team alongside Lady Elle, Cherry Typhoon, Hilo, Toy and Toby. We’ve been working hard to improve the monthly event and its profile, as well as planning this big exhibition party (which is the result of a hell of a lot of work and long mid-week night meetings). It’s been a pleasure working alongside this lovely team of super-genki artists. Go Team!
Anyway, here is the spiel (and facebook event page here):
Dr.Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, Tokyo presents:
Dr. Sketchy’s Exhibition PartyDr. Sketchy’s is what happens when cabaret meets art school.
Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, Tokyo is a cabaret sketch art salon. On Saturday November 22nd at La Boheme on Kotto Dori (Aoyama) at 9pm-2am the good Doctor will be hosting an art exhibition showcasing the work of Sketch Artists, and Sketchy Photographer Martine Cotton.
The event will be peppered with cabaret performances by a variety of Dr. Sketchy’s muses which include Tokyo’s own Ms. Exotic World Champions Erochica Bamboo, Cherry Typhoon, Safi and The Murasaki Baby Dolls. Hoop star Deanne Tonking will also be doing a show, alongside a salsa dance troupe led by Dirty Dancing Diana.
Among the featured artists are Josh McKible creator of the Nani Bird series recently on display in Shibuya Station courtesy of Art Below, Laura Hammer an artist who found the magic in Crayola and turned it into artistic alchemy and a whole host of professional and amateur young artisans.
DJ’s include Evil Penguin, James Carstensen, Bambi and Norishirocks.
Please email rsvp@drsketchytokyo.com for cheap entry (It’s 3500 at the door, 2500 if you RSVP)
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Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, Tokyo is a community life-drawing event that takes place once a month at the Pink Cow, Shibuya. We search Tokyo to find sexy people who model for you for about three hours. In between poses there are contests with cool prizes, sexy performances, drinks and all sorts of mischief.
Photo Nite Photographers Party
This is what I’ve been working on recently. Hope you can come along:
On Tuesday 30 September, over 300 Photographers and members of the Photography Industry will gather at Daikanyama Tableaux.
On Tuesday 30 September, over 300 Photographers will gather at Daikanyama Tableaux for presentations, discussions and displays about all aspects of the photography industry, including galleries, dealers, creative directors, online technology, image software, camera equipment and services.
Presentations by photographers will include all themes, such as fashion, portrait, commercial, art, street as well as travel photos. Top and up-and-coming photographers will discuss their work and offer creative, technical and career ideas.
There will be a one-night only photo exhibition of local photographers on the theme “My Japan.” The photo gallery will include travel, portrait, street and other Japan-related photos by up to 50 photographers, with an audience vote for favourite photos and an auction so they can take their favorite photos home to frame. Photographers wishing to participate can sign up at http://photobiz.ning.com/, and then upload their single submission with the tag “my japan”. Please visit THIS PAGE for more information on how to submit.
Discussion Panels will include:
2. “The Tokyo Photography Scene: Advice and tips on getting jobs and exhibiting/publishing your work”
Panelists: Magnus Burkardt, Jim O’Connell, Leanne Stone
3. “The Joys of Film VS The Convenience of Digital.” Introductory Presentation by Skorj (www.filmwasters.com) Discussion Panel moderated by Skorj Panelists: Tommy Oshima, Alfie Goodrich, Jim O’Connell, Jeff laitila, Magnus Burkardt
All photographers and people interested in photography are welcome to join this party, which will include DJ and VJ entertainment, great food and drinks.
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS:
Tommy Oshima is one of the hottest Japanese photographers around. Working almost exclusively on film, Tommy is featured regularly in international photography magazines and is one of Flickr’s most popular stars. He will be presenting some of his work and taking a Q&A session, and will be participating in the Joys of Film VS The Convenience of Digital Discussion Panel. http://www.rayon-vert.com/
Skorj is one of the founders of http://www.filmwasters.com/ and a long time toy camera enthusiast. Skorj will be making a presentation about Film Photography and also participating in the Joys of Film VS The Convenience of Digital Discussion Panel.
Magnus Burkardt is a Pro Photog based here in Tokyo will present “More than meets the eye – The underlying dreams we show and sell in and with photography” (www.mbphotodesign.com)
Alfie Goodrich is a British photojournalist and since moving to Tokyo permanently in 2007, has been working hard to establish himself, find work and shoot exciting photos of his new home. He’ll be talking about what he’s been doing and showing some his recent work.
Jeff Laitila (http://www.sushicam.com): “Digital Photography with an Analog Soul”. Jeff Laitila is an American photographer. His work is sold mainly in the form of fine art prints, and stock imagery for the travel and publishing industries. He’ll be showing some of his his recent work and discussing techniques to bring back some analog “soul” to digital imaging.
Elizabeth Wenner-Ishiyama “Licensing Images”. Myluckyphoto is a division of the EAW Group, a publisher and printer of fine art open edition giclee posters with world wide wholesale distribution. Our printing facilities are located in Los Angeles, CA and Tokyo and have been a leading poster supplier since 2000.
Leanne Stone – Frisky Pony Photography, Australian photographer specialising in family photography in Tokyo. http://www.friskyponyphotography.com
Jim O’Connell – Thoughts on Photography. http://www.mmdc.net
WHEN: Sept 30, 2008. 6pm till 11:30pm.
PRICE: Advance: 1000 yen / Door 1500 yen. To qualify for advance, please sign up as a member at photobiz.ning.com or at our sister community http://biznites.ning.com.
WHERE: Tableaux Lounge – Sunroser Daikanyama B1, 11-6 Sarugaku-cho Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0033 Tel: 03-5489-2201 (http://www.tableaux.jp) Buffet dinner 1500 yen. Drink specials.
ABOUT BIZ NITES: Other Focus Biz Nites on Tuesdays at Daikanyama Tableaux include Eizo Nite 11/4 (For movie-makers, VJs, animators and TV directors), and next Photo Nite (For nature photographers) with Eco Nite 12/2. Regular Biz Nite parties for an A-Z of creative industries are held monthly at Daikanyama Tableaux on Mondays including 10/20 (Hawaiian Flavor), 11/11 (Canadian Flavor), 12/15 (African Flavor)…
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
If you are interested in presenting or helping us out on the night, please contact martine@tigermusic.jp or jon@tigermusic.jp
Sandi
Sandi & I had both been wanting to do a glamour shoot in the style of old Hollywood for a long time. June 1 & 2, we spent the weekend setting up and shooting 1200 photos in about 8 different scenes, experimenting with lighting, props and backgrounds, costumes and makeup. Not everything worked, but it was a great experiment and we are both delighted with the results.
Asoboo Photowalk 2
The Asoboo network has been a great find for me! The second photo meet-up was held on Sunday March 2 and we had a rather delightful day roaming the shitamachi districts of Tokyo – Yanaka, Nezu, Sendagi and Ueno. You can see my photos here, and the entire groups photos at the Asoboo photo meetup Flickr pool. Great to meet a bunch of inspirational, easy-going photographers.
Asoboo
Asoboo is an internet-based creative social network that was started in Japan but is internationally focused. I joined up a few weeks back in the hope that I would meet some friendly photographers. I was happy to find that Asoboo has a large and active community of photographers – some professionals, some not, but mad-keen photographers nevertheless. I met some of them at a meet-up and photo walk on Sunday. Lovely people. Good fun. Photos here. And here’s my Asoboo profile if you want to find me there.