Photographer's words of wisdom
Facebook post from alumni Raymond Sagapolutele:
This morning I went back to my old high school to offer sage words of wisdom and insight into the world of photography from my experience. This was their assessment week so I was also offered the chance to go over what they are working on and give some critique and advice.
After I gave my background and explained who I was and my practise as an artist I presented some of the work from my years as an editorial, commercial, concert and street photographer. They were a great audience and asked relevant and well thought out questions in relation to technique, environment and social dynamics. I was impressed and lifted by the enthusiasm and skill these students have and their teacher, Adele Whittaker, is doing a great job of providing and guiding these artists in training.
I was asked "do you think there is a reason for a lack of brown faces in photography" and I was taken back a little as I hadn't realised we were invisible on that front. I had taken for granted that there were a lot of Polynesian photographers as I have been around a lot of Polynesian photographers so I tried to address this by giving examples from Yuki Kihara, Greg Semu, Tanu Gago, Pati Solomona Tyrell, Penina Momoisea, Evotia Tamua, Emz Mafile'o and so many more. They loved it and they were engaged.
I let them have a chance to use my camera gear and to get the feel of the lenses I use and to see the different results given. Here is a shot one of the students got of me - she did a great job.
Thanks for the chance Manurewa High School, Linda Falasia-Sime and Adele Whittaker for letting me present my arts practice. Too choice.
I was asked "do you think there is a reason for a lack of brown faces in photography" and I was taken back a little as I hadn't realised we were invisible on that front. I had taken for granted that there were a lot of Polynesian photographers as I have been around a lot of Polynesian photographers so I tried to address this by giving examples from Yuki Kihara, Greg Semu, Tanu Gago, Pati Solomona Tyrell, Penina Momoisea, Evotia Tamua, Emz Mafile'o and so many more. They loved it and they were engaged.
I let them have a chance to use my camera gear and to get the feel of the lenses I use and to see the different results given. Here is a shot one of the students got of me - she did a great job.
Thanks for the chance Manurewa High School, Linda Falasia-Sime and Adele Whittaker for letting me present my arts practice. Too choice.