the advantages of Documentary

*

(wink wink)

eating 'the towel' with the president

from Mbuyi's phone

Mbuyi Ndolvu [MN], completed his 3rd year last year and he has been keeping in contact with me on 'whatsapp'. Mbuyi is currently working for "Roads and Safety', photographing accident scenes etc.  MN comes from Eshowe, the place where I was born and where I went to school... so we have a kinship_ we are 'brother' and 'sister' despite our skin tones (wink wink). He loves to tease me about eating 'the towel'_ and he loves to eat. See our conversation below, dated 2/26/2012.

 19:49: P3Mbuyi: Unjani ke sisi wami ?

 20:11: ME : Ngiyaphila_ wena? I have had a wonderful weekend_ how was urs?

 20:13: P3Mbuyi: I also had a wonderful weekend I was at home eating the Towel

 20:13: ME: What's a towel? Is it that thing u take to the beach?

 20:19: P3Mbuyi: Ha ha ha ha ha the Towel is the inside of the cow nje they clean it nicely and boil it

So in true Google style I have found an image for those people like me who still need to learn about 'the towel' ...439000 results in 19 sec!

The reason I have blogged this conversation is that I 'love' how Mbuyi has made time to follow his passion in Documentary Photography and I am 'excited' by how his previous undertakings in Photography have lead him to have 'lunch' (wink wink) with President Zuma. How much is 'true' and 'photoshopped' (wink wink)_ only Mbuyi (who ... by the way...loves to streeeeetch the truth) will know. 

This is what Mbuyi said: "Hey Liza I was at home for a weekend so on sunday I decided to go and shoot my documentary since its been a while, which was my specialist @tech. I went to nkandla, 50 km from my  Eshowe home and 237km from Durban.  So the bodyguards of the President knew me from shooting doccie in government events  and they invited me for lunch with the president. He wished me luck for my career and we had lunch, which was tripe, dombolo and Nhloko (which is the head of the cow) and I asked to shoot with him."

• 

And then... my random brain started to think about actually (wink wink)  trying 'the towel'  and how this would certainly be a new experience for me_ one where culturally I dabble... 

©liza • Qwahumbe • Feb 20102

And then my random brain thought of Wenger (2000:233), the 'Community of Practice' 'guru' (wink wink)... the guy I read about for my Masters. He says (<3):   “there is something disquieting, humbling at times, yet exciting and attractive about such close encounters with the unknown, with the mystery of otherness: a chance to explore the edge of your competence, learn something new, revisit your little truths and perhaps expand your horizon.” 

*-*

(dazed)

Fashion on Location with Paul

Parys in Dirtbin
the subject in Paul's email

Alumni (or past 2009 student) Paul Reichle [PR] shared his experience of a Fashion Shoot with me via gmail so that I could blog it.  PR's blurb: "The shoot was for a local designer Bianca Kim _ who sells her stuff 'Miss Religious' at the I-heart market and a couple boutiques too. Bianca wanted a Grunge feel and sent me a pic of the location she had in mind which blew me away. I had no idea there even was a mini eiffel tower living in Dirtbin.

Upon arrival at the location we realized that the ladder we bought to the shoot was too short so I borrowed one from the Church next door. We got to the roof and had about 12 looks to get through - The wind was pumping which made working conditions difficult_ constantly blowing hair into the models face and my lighting equipment. My assistant 
 (I advise that everyone has an assistant especially when working on location) had to hold all the equipment.

I was aiming for a mix of styles with this shoot as Bianca's Target market is girls aged 16 to about 30, i mixed a combination of lifestyle in with editorial fashion- l strongly believe that lifestyle shots are great to sell a product such as clothing as prospective clients can picture themselves in the clothing, if the clothing is too fashion orientated it could be too intimidating for a young girl. 

I used a very harsh light source - no softbox or diffusers so as to stick with the very moody feel we were going for and then shooting on manual mode - I underexposed the scene by about 2-3 stops to make the background very dark and eliminate or put less emphasis on any unwanted elements - such as the buildings cars and shops in the background. I then pumped a very powerful flash at high power onto the subject making the model pop out into the picture. I asked the assistant to keep the light quite high and close to subject in order to make harsh shadows under the models chin - making the pics look quite raw and giving dimension and shape.

Problems we encountered while shooting: Models found it difficult to balance on the beam and walk on the corrugated roof which made posing tough, I also ran out of battery on my lights toward the end of the shoot and had to tone down the power of the flash as we finished up."

Paul attached some images and they were specifically chosen by him to show:

(below)  ---> "how crazy the wind was"

(top)  ---> "how dark the background is when the flash goes off and other shows the sh*!!y (Paul's words not mine) the background looks without the flash".

(top) ---> shot with toned down flash.

(top) ---> the lifestyle element 

(top) ---> shows fashion editorial element

•

I also asked him about his website and in typical Paul fashion he replied: "Oh and my website is currently bubbalaas -  in the process of constructing a new one but I'm building numbers with my Facebook page if you can get the peeps to go join. PR also asks "if any one is keen to assist on weekdays for a personal project called rainbow nation, just an hour or so here and there when I'm in the area".

Contact Paul on--->  paul.reichle@gmail.com  or "be-friend" him on his facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paul-Reichle-Photography/236837686843

 

Bianca Kim's facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bianca-Kim-Clothing/118744504852516

Thanks Paul.

 ☕

Paul the Tinkerer

Rainbow light made from torch and cd

It's marvelous marvelous!

Nothing will ever be as much fun.

I am going to photograph everything everything! 

 www.photoquotes.com

Painter/photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue  

---> If you click on his name you will view JHL's photographs via Google images.

 •

 

 When Paul Reichle made his presentation to the 2nd & 3rd years he brought along a little yellow box. Printed on this box, in large text were the words "SURVIVAL KIT". I find this alluring and charming as I feel, that PR by nature is a tinkerer and an inventor, and I got the impression that this yellow box is equally as important to him as his camera, as he loves to experiment with light.

Google defines a tinkerer as a person, traditionally a Gypsy,  who enjoys doing random, unplanned work or activities, and enjoys fixing and experimenting with machines and their parts.  A Gypsy defined by Google is a person who traveled from place to place mending pots and kettles and other metal utensils as a way to earn a living.

Paul pulled out of his 'little yellow box' some found objects: a cd, a red shiny mobile, a small mirror and a torch. He continued to demonstrate, by taking photographs of the class, how these everyday 'reflective' objects could be used to create interesting, playful lighting effects and illusions without the help of Photoshop.

 •

PR emailed me some of the images he took that day during his presentation. 

Werner MIRRORED onto Thandeka

Lighting with mobile and cd

Corridor lit with mobile

Gareth MIRRORED onto Lungi

Mbuyi MIRRORED onto Nda

  ☕

10 questions @ Paul Reichle

Paul Reichle 
is a past student who completed his 3rd year in 2009
[click Paul's name to go to his website]
 Facebook 

PR will be visiting the department on 22 February to chat to students about his experiences having left the DUT and trying to establish himself as as professional photographer in Durban.

•

• 

I asked Paul 10 questions...  
and this is what he had to say:

1:   What does Photography mean to you?
I see Photography as a lifestyle and a powerful form of expression.


2:  What genre of Photography are you passionate about? 
Commercial and People


3. What aspects of Photography do you love?
Interacting with people, not to mention the infinite opportunities as the subject is so vast and one can explore all the different avenues such as food, fashion, product, lifestyle people wedding industrial etc  (impossible to get bored!!)



4. What aspects of Photography do you find challenging?
Photography is just the tip of the iceberg. Running a successful business is what is challenging- Admin, tax registration, negotiating with clients etc.


5. Where do you find inspiration?
Different forms of media, magazines, internet websites (other photographers work- like Patrick Demarchelier, Lara Jade and hundreds of others> Flickr), movies, music videos, but mostly 'Light' in every day situations.
 

6. If you could share one thing with others who are also interested in Photography what would it be?
To stress that one must become as technically efficient as possible before trying to learn other aspects on photography (correct exposure)> Get to know what your camera and its settings can do- these two factors are tremendously important and work hand in hand with one another. 


7. Name Photographers that have influenced you.
Brett Florens was a huge inspiration and has continued to be. I worked under him as an assistant for just over a year.


8. List  3 words that describe your experience as a student.
Character Building, interesting.



9. List 3 words that describe how it feels to be engaging outside DUT.
Exciting, Challenging, Awesome


10. What advice would you give students who are embarking on studying to become professional Photographers?
For me, its all about constantly getting out of my comfort zone which in turn elevates me and my work to a higher level.

☕

aSd_artSpace

ArtSpace Durban showcasing ex-students works... current show entitled

Shooting Southern Africa

15 February - 05 March 2011

Bwalya & Chillies @ the opening

Jacki Bruniquel and Noxolo Zwane [aka Chillies], are past students who both have their works on display.  

[Click on their names to read other blog entries that speak of their works]

☕

INVITE for SATURDAY 26th February 

JACKI  will doing a walkabout @ the Gallery  [click to get address and telephone numbers] on Saturday the 26th of February at 11am followed by a short talk on “The digital Revolution –  Processing, Retouching and the Modern Photographer”.

Entrance is free and all are welcome! I am going to be there!

artSpace address

☕

LOOK who popped into the Department!

SINDI NENE
2010 Idols finalist
* click SINDI NENE to read article of how judges saved her from being eliminated

It was fantastic to see Sindi @ the Department. 

She is such a beautiful gifted and inspiring individual. 

I have always admired her quirkiness and her individualistic creative approach to defining herself as a singer and entertainer_ In her presence she simply takes your BREATH away [ask Mbuyi].

We wish Sindi success and happiness.

Mbuyi, Gee, Sindi, Liza, Vernon & Bwalya

 so... WHO WAS THE PHOTOGRAPHER?

...the talented.... hear the drum beat

SIYA MEYIWA

[2009 National diploma Graduate]

I spoke with Siya this morning on the phone.  

He told me that he has been asked to be Sindi's personal photographer and that this specific shoot was for her website.  We are very PROUD of you Siya.  I hope that Siya will share many more of his photographic experiences with osmosisBLOG as he continues to shoot for celebrity clients like Sindi and others.

Below are two images from Siya's studio shoot.

Theron M.A.D Rapoo

Theron graduated at the department in 2008. He is doing extreemly well and I wanted to share his success with all of you_ He works in the Central Communications Office of His Majesty the King in Phokeng, Rustenberg. Herewith an insert and images from his email that I received a while back.

"Today as I write this I hold a very important position at work, and believe me when I say I am an Asset to this Organization. I currently hold a position as the Digital Media Assistant and manage the Photo Cache of the whole Nation, also, I have developed love for IT so I am involved in the management of the Website (www.bafokeng.com), and their social Media pages (Facebook, Twitter). It is a very challenging position where I have to make sure that I attend all the Organization's events (and there are quite a lot), and produce quality photographs for the Cache.  I hope all is going well that side and that you are helping those students to achieve their goals. I am a Professional photographer because of you guys and I will not forget that in my life. Attached are some of the Photographs that I have taken in the past few months since I have had this Position. I just want to share with you some of the works I have done and I will forward to you all the Links of Publishing Houses, Magazines and Websites where my Images where published during the World Cup including REUTERS."

T h e r o n    U R    i n s p i r a t i o n a l

JACKI BRUNIQUEL: Photographer & Artist

JACKI is a part time lecturer @ the Photography Department. She is excited to announce that her new website  has been launched. On the 25 August Jacki sent out a 1000 emails  to let the world know about her new website.
 This new website is an online portfolio which will be updated often. "Follow" her and look at her amazing photography by joining her networks by clicking on the links below.


WEBSITE:www.jackibruniquel.com
BLOG:www.jackibruniquel.com/blog
FACEBOOK:http://www.facebook.com/JackiBruniquel  

Jacki says that Dave McMillan of Hautefish Web Design and Tyrone Bradley from Tyrone™ Design and Photography must be credited for their excellent work here.

INSPIRATION: Christopher Baker

buka lapha

Chris  is currently doing his 4th year_completed  3rd year in 2009.

View his fantastic website to see his inspiring photographs and work ethic by clicking where it says "buka lapha"