Named appropriately after the number of minutes in a day, the exhibition held at the State Library as part of Canon’s EOS Festival of Photography, displayed the very best published and unpublished work by Fairfax photographers.
It became clear that the true test of a good photojournalist is not the perfect angle, shutter speed or lighting, but the ability to develop an intimate knowledge of the subject, to tell a story and to capture the more human, vulnerable and perhaps rare moments of a subject matter.
Admittedly the exhibition in regards to size was underwhelming, it seemed the organisers were seeking quality not quantity. It was also stated by the organisers that the exhibition was a “lighter alternative to the sometimes distressing international images.”
The photos reflected this sentiment very well but unfortunately it did, however leave you wanting something with a little more substance, something that would make you think, feel or even react.
It perhaps was an oversight by the organisers to keep the theme so whimsical particularly, as some of the best Fairfax photography has captured the not so lovely elements of the city.
The political photographs were extremely clever, particularly an image where across Peter Garrett’s considerable forehead was reflected the word “tension” as the minister awaited the fate of the emissions trading legislation in 2009.
Some were emotion charged such as the image of a mother swimming with her child beneath the water.
Others were simply fascinating and daring, in particular the close up image of a Funnel Web spider being milked of venom at the Australian Reptile Park.
What the exhibition did do is spark our enthusiasm to make our own efforts to capture elements of the city and its people just as the Fairfax Photographers had done.
It was a reminder that extraordinary journalism pieces are more often than not a case of good research, interacting with the ordinary person and if all else fails, a bit of good old fashioned luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment