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Microsoft Summit 2008

comments (1)posted 10 July 2008

Georgina and I stayed in Seattle to attend the Microsoft Summit. Imagine 2 days of talking photography, technology and the future of the image making industry. I felt a little out of my league with so many delegates with a very technical background. Microsoft and it's partners are producing some amazing software and hardware that will truly revolutionize the industry in the next few years. There was a product (can't remember it's name) that was reminiscent of the technology featured in the movie Minority Report.

Their facility was amazing!!!

Among my favorite presenters were:

Nature & wildlife photographer Frans Lanting. His landscape photography was among the best I have seen. His series called LIFE, a journey through time was breathtaking. His photographs were created to emulate the evolution of the earth. Combining his images with a symphony orchestra was pure genius!

Natasha Dybisz aka Miss Aniela was amazing. Her self portraits and digital artistry was very refreshing. She is one of the most popular artists featured on flickr.

Skip Cohen (President of WPPI and Rangefinder publishing) stole the show with his incredibly funny and charismatic presentation on marketing.

Bambi Cantrell captured me being a tiger...

Celebrity photographers Matthew Jordan Smith, Joe Buissink, Bambi and I fooling around...

I seem to be collecting images of me passionately kissing bald men!

MJS a little scared of my advances...

Bambi doing the vogue on MJS

Jeff Greene from Microsoft...A huge thanks to the great team from Microsoft for their wonderful hospitality.

Denis Reggie, Deanne Fitzmaurice and moi...don't you just love red eye?

The view of Mount Rainier as we left Seattle...

London, Paris & Florence 2009 Workshops Released!

posted 7 July 2008

I am so excited to announce that I will be returning to Europe in 2009 for more workshops in London, Paris and Florence. The feedback to this year's workshops has been overwhelming but many have expressed that they missed out this time around. Be quick to reserve your place for a once in a lifetime experience! I wasn't intending to visit Europe in 2009 but several interested photographers who are thirsting for knowledge changed my mind. BOOK EARLY. This will book out quickly. Can't wait to see you in 3 of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Don't forget, i.c.e.Society members receive 5% off workshops and seminars!

Click Here for more information and to register.
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Seattle Workshop June 2008

comments (2)posted 6 July 2008

After 2 months in Europe, Georgie and I traveled to Seattle, Washington in the US for our 5th and final workshop. We had a talented and passionate bunch of photographers from all over the US. The dynamics and chemistry of the group was very special indeed. Among the students were my good friends Jesh de Rox and Rene Michaud from Canada. It was intense week but we let our hair down on Thursday night for fun Karaoke night. One by one everyone showed off there singing talents. I have never been in a room with that many talented singers....and...erh..photographers! By the end of my closing speech, I shed a few tears as did most. Thanks to all for a memorable week...A huge thanks to Sally for organizing yet another successful workshop.

All photos are straight from the camera, no photoshop...

Getting friendly with the talent!

My good friends Marco and Liz from Michigan. You may remember them from Paris.

Jesh de Rox - using off camera flash

Using light from a Store window...

Rene Michaud from Canada...sorry ladies...he's taken!

London Workshop & Seminar June 2008

comments (4)posted 23 June 2008

After Russia, Georgina and I visited Helsinki, Finland, Stockholm, Sweden and Berlin, Germany for 3 nights in each city. I am afraid I don't have any photos to post. That being said the following shot was taken from a tour bus. I thought it was pretty cool.

It was great to have time out and just relax, see the sights and shop. All cities were beautiful but Berlin was our favorite. The buzz of the European Cup was amazing but unfortunately kept us awake with die hard fans partying and tooting horns on most nights.

We traveled to London for our final workshop in Europe for 2008. We had an amazing group of talented photographers with very colorful backgrounds. I really enjoyed the English humor . There were a few international guests to complete the mix. The workshop was held at the Hoxton Hotel in a very cool and arty part of town. One by one, everyone had a light bulb moment and obviously progressed through the week. We had an amazing time and I am proud to have 20 new friends! Thanks for the memories!!!

Although we photographed in London, we didn't get a chance to go to the obvious landmarks apart from Buckingham palace. I suppose Big Ben is just Big Ben when grow up with it.

I was approached by the police outside Buckingham Palace and after a little Aussie charm and a big smile, we were cool to use the grounds. Georgie was the bag lady, yet again but she was excited to see Prince Charles and Camilla being escorted out of the Palace. She can now say she has seen royalty.

BTW All shots below are straight from the camera (no Photoshop)

Using video light, shining through venetian blinds...

I had the pleasure to present a full day seminar (the Monday after the Workshop) in Luton. (Outside London) It was organized by Spicer Hallfield and the Eye brand which distribute Seldex Artistic Albums from Australia. (My favoutite album company) It was an enthusiastic crowd and the questions were coming thick and fast. After presenting for about 11 hours, I was spent. The feedback has been overwhelming. Thank you for your generous feedback. I am still waiting on some behind the scenes pics but see a couple of shots I created below during the day.

Russia Workshop 2008

comments (9)posted 4 June 2008

I had the privilege and pleasure to present a full day seminar and a workshop in Russia. The city of Moscow is huge! The history and beauty of the city is amazing but the traffic is the worse that I have seen anywhere in the world. We are were hosted by three wonderful people. Sergey, Vlad and Masha the translator. Thank you for your hospitality. The full day seminar was supposed to finish at 7pm but I was there until 11pm. The questions were coming thick and fast. We didn't even break for dinner. The workshop was held in a place that looked like a cross between the Kremlin the Taj Mahal and Disneyland. It was awesome. I am so proud to have made many new friends and I hope I have made an impact on those who attended. Thank you Russia!

Grasshoppers become Masters!

comments (5)posted 2 June 2008

I am very proud to say that Sally-Ann Sargood was named a Master of Photography by the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) at the annual National Awards ceremony held in Brisbane. She is not just the best PA in the industry, she has proven that she can create some wonderful images as well. I am so proud of her and congratulate her on her wonderful achievement. Go SASS!

My good friend Suzette finally achieved her masters as well. Its about bloody time! Well done little S!

For years my brother Nick Ghionis has established himself as a world class photographer. In just 4 years he has received 11 silver awards from a possible 12 prints. He achieved his associateship in just 2 years and received his gong at this year's award ceremony. He has continued to his success from WPPI where he won a category and came second in another.

5 days in Santorini

comments (1)posted 31 May 2008

After presenting workshops in Paris and Florence, Georgina and I spent a well earned rest in Santorini, Greece. The food was unbelievable, the weather was perfect and view was spectacular. I was tempted to take the usual pictures of the white buildings, blue doors and stray cats but I didn't. I did take a few pictures of the sunsets and a couple from my balcony. See below. There were so many tourists. I found that many people were so content to capture the memory on their cameras that they didn't enjoy the moment. That's what professional photographers are for! Sometimes it's just best to soak it up. We spent a night in Athens before going to Russia for yet another seminar and workshop. We went to an opera that was playing at the base of the Acropolis. The ambiance, acoustics and visuals were stunning. Get this. It was performed in Greece, presented in Italian, about Asian culture but somehow it worked.

Self Portraits in Paris

comments (1)posted 24 May 2008

I was fooling around on the streets of Paris with my point and shoot camera with Georgie and Rene & Melissa Tirado. It pays to have long arms. Trying to look cool...yes...trying...

Paris Workshop - May 2008

comments (4)posted 23 May 2008

Another amazing city, yet another 5 day workshop. This is the third time I have visited Paris and I find it more beautiful with every visit. Marco and Liz from Michigan modelled for us as did the stunning Evgenia from Boston along with Rene and Melissa. We met Marco and Liz at the Detroit Seminar and again at WPPI and simply knew we would be friends for life. Evgenia took my class in Pleasant Hill with Bambi Cantrell and had come back for seconds! Rene and Melissa Tirado and I shared our second Parisian Adventure together along with Georgina. We had students from South Africa, Hong Kong, Belgium, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, US and the UK. The depth of talent and range of personalities made the chemistry of this group very special indeed. We ate too many crepes, we laughed, we cried (many times) and had an unforgettable experience. After shooting overlooking the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, we walked to the Louvre. The sun fell and the sounds of a saxophone echoed through the buildings. After making new friends, sharing the common love for photography in one of the most intriguing cities in the world, we all realised that it simply doesn’t get much better than that. It was one of those moments that you want to last forever. For the first time in a long time I had time to enjoy the moment and took deep breaths of that air in that place and exhaled as I hung on to every moment. My students made amazing progress and it was very difficult to say goodbye to all. Thanks to our gorgeous models and Sally for making the week a big success and a huge thanks to everyone for their commitment and passion.

Let's just say that I like to take a personal interest in my models...

Two of the most glamorous photographers you will ever see...

Georgina soaking up the atmosphere...

Florence Workshop - May 2008

comments (3)posted 16 May 2008

Georgina, Melissa & Rene Tirado and I have just arrived in Paris after having an unforgettable week at the Workshop in Florence. We spent 2 days in Rome. We walked the streets and went to an Opera. When in Rome..! Not just any opera. We thought we would have to dress up, perhaps be amongst thousands of people in an old charming theatre and anticipating tears for the finale. Well...the opera was held in a small location that seated 30+ people, which was very difficult to find. 3 synthesised keyboards replaced the apparently overrated orchestra. Let's just say that it was unforgettable for a variety of reasons. Georgina was the only person that appreciated it but the rest of us wanted to leave during the intermission. We then spent a night in Florence (one of our favourite cities in the world) and then off to the location for a 5 day workshop. It was held at Villa Il Poggiale. It is a sixteenth century private villa, currently converted to a family owned and run Dimora Storica -- Historical Residence - in San Casciano Val di Pesa, just 17 km from the centre of Florence. The property is surrounded by the familiar Chianti landscape: rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves. The building itself has a magnificent loggia, a Renaissance facade, and traditional Tuscan gardens, with a wonderful view. The week went so quickly. I was so proud of the group with obvious progress made by all students. We all made new friends and had a great time with people with a common love for photography. Big thanks to Rene & Melissa for modelling for us, yet again, Gill for all your help, Matt Pereira for doing most of the interpreting and Sally for arranging such a great event who was appreciated by all.

I only have access to the photographs I had taken but I will post some behind the scenes pics soon.