Wednesday 3 December 2008

Sally Park after their gig at the gov





Sally park photoshoot at a run down car park on Waymouth Street, Adelaide.

PETstock Microchipping Day




These photographs were taken at PETstock Melrose park last weekend during their Micro Chipping day. 3 month old Penny the Chihuahua you see her is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. 6 month old Missy the great dane is small enough to fit in the back of a big truck. Together they were just two dogs sniffing eachother but were both so gentle with each other. They would make the best of friends.

Sunday 16 November 2008

Photographic Journey leading up to now

The following is an excerpt from my life and in particular, my journey to becoming a photographer.

My passion for photography began when I was just a child living in Malaysia. I had a Kodak Cameo that my parents bought for me. Many years later, and after borrowing many of my parents cameras, I purchased a Canon IXUS V2. I had a lot of fun with this camera, even though it was far from being a manual SLR. I was still able to gain an understanding of shutter speeds, ISO and also play with photo composition. During the later months of 2005, I purchased a Canon 350D so I could photograph my cousins wedding. Since then I have acquired a Pentax ME Super 35mm camera, and an old Minolta with a whole lot of dark room equipment and lenses. Nikon Digital SLRs have also fallen within my grasp while I was working at Locksmith Supply Company aka LSC photographing their various products for the better half of 2007.

I studied at Mercedes College and finished in 1998 and then proceeded to spend many a day practicing my computer skills which would potentially be a career path for me. After studying Information Technology at Adelaide TAFE for 3 years, I needed to learn more. I then went to study a 2 year Diploma of Multimedia at Prides Business college before they went into liquidation. Torrens Valley TAFE brought on board all the stragglers with half finished diplomas and we were given the opportunity to complete our Diplomas at the end of 2005. The feeling to learn more and more took over, so I enrolled into Animation and Interactive Media at Melbournes RMIT. I failed the first enrollment. Whilst I was waiting to enrol for the second time around, I studied Photography at the CCP. I applied for RMIT the second time round and I got in. 2007 was the beginning of my life in the big smoke. Melbourne. I studied what most kids watch on ABC after school. It was great. I lasted 6 months at RMIT. Photography called out to me.

My first "real" job was delivering Pizzas for Pizza hut. Before that, I attempted door to door sales (2 days) and car washing (1 day). I applied for a position at Telstra Bigpond Internet and as I was studying Information Technology and they were just happening to looking for people with computer knowledge, the job was given to me. I was in the call centre telling people how much they owed Telstra. I then gained employment at Optus Mobile Billing before moving to a Westpac Call centre. From there, I moved to a mortgage processing position. My next place of employment was Adelaide Bank before working at Australia Post. In Melbourne, I got my first photography job at the Lock Smith Supply company followed by regular event work on the weekends, and also a job assisting a photographer with school photographs. After moving back to Adelaide in 2007, I worked as a casual laborer. Working behind a desk was not an option for me so I didn't bother to apply for any. I did such jobs as moving furniture, shovelling fertilizer around and even sorting plastic stuff at a plastics factory.

I completed a Small Business Management course through NEIS run by Mission Australia and began Benjamin Liew Photography in May 2008. I also became actively involved with the AIPP and entering into photographic competitions. After winning a few awards in both state and national competitions and also making the Finalist in an international competition, I believe that I am becoming a better photographer and providing a high quality service.

It's been a roller coaster ride to get here but it is far from over. Every day something new happens. A new project arises, a challenge is put in front of me.

Bring it on!!!

-Benjamin Liew

Saturday 15 November 2008

sandy pic

this my dog sandy. she's so cute.

Thursday 13 November 2008

Jersey the English Staffy Puppy ( and Penelope the Bassett )

Last week I met a Candi and Paul at the Unley shopping centre. They are the proud parents of the beautiful English Staffy pup that occasionally answers to the name Jersey. I was drawn in by the extreme cuteness of this little creature and offered my photographic services to her owners. They instantly recognized my name from my efforts at the Animal Welfare League, so I was in. We met earlier this afternoon at the park next to the shopping centre, but soon moved to the Sturt Football Oval where there would be less chance of a running Jersey making it to the main road.


The photo shoot went well, Jersey the super model did great and looked cute as ever. During our shoot, Jersey made a new friend - a 4 and a half month old Basset by the name of Penelope who was just as cute as Jersey. Together they were super cute. Hopefully Penelopes owners will call me so that I can get some photographs of this super cute puppy.... but maybe next week. I've had my cute fix for this week with Jersey.

SAPPAs 2008 II

I finally got the prints back from Studio 177 and the final results for the prints. The above photo's both received Silver with Distinctions. 87 for the tree roots and 85 for the dog silhouette.

Here are a couple of stories about the background of these photographs.

Tree Roots



Mt Kinabalu is South East Asia's fourth tallest mountain and the 20hh tallest in the world at 4101 metres above sea level. The highest peak is ironically called Lows Peak. The ascent can take anywhere up to 14 hours split into two separate climbs and spans over two days. Descending can take around 6 hours or so.

In order to scale Mt Kinabalu, climbers must choose which route to take. One can either ascend the front and descend back down the same way, or they may choose to climb the back and go back down the normal quick way which is the front. Jaime and I decided on the latter. The back trail is called the Masilau trail and is a couple of kilometers longer than the normal trail but is more scenic and not quite as steep. The image you see of the tree roots was taken on this very trail. It was the only section between the Masilau Resort and where it meets the normal trail that had such an amazing natural occurrence such as this. Heavy rains have washed away the dirt to reveal what hides beneath.

Dog Silhouette


The Tip of Borneo (aka Simpang Mengayau to the locals) is the northernmost point of Borneo. It is located near to Kudat which is a 3 hour drive north of Kota Kinabalu (KK).

In order to take this photograph, I had to clamber down the sandstone rock face to the rocks and the waves smashing against them below. Initially I planned on getting some scenic photographs of the amazing rock formations... that was until a stray dog came wandering along.

I have had experiences in the past where stray dogs have chased after me. Perhaps I look like a good meal to them, so my first reaction to this dog descending the rocks towards me were similar to the reaction one would have of a wild animal approaching them during feeding time.

It wasn't until after this photograph was taken that the initial feelings of threat disappeared. The aura that this animal had was much like that of a humble old man living out his final years in peace. He simply walked down the rocks near where I was standing and watching him. He just stood there and surveyed the area around, looking towards the sea as if looking for something, waiting for somebody or longing after a lost love. After a few minutes he slowly walked back up the way he came and back to wherever he lays his head and calls his home.

-Ben

Wednesday 12 November 2008

Expose Your World Competition - FINALIST



Expose Your World competition was held recently. Entries closed late August and judging only just occurred. The sections are 1) Photo Essay, 2) Single shot, 3) Young Australian Photographer of the Year, 4) Video or Multimedia presentation and 5) Travel Writing. I entered the Single shot under the Wildlife category with the above two prints.

The monkey feet image was a finalist in it's category and the Dog came Highly Commended. This means that the Monkey feet will be displayed at the Blue Hotel in Wooloomooloo, Sydney in March 2009, and I should also receive an Asuka Book.

I was very excited to learn of this news.

Cheers,

-Ben

Monarto Zoo 2008














Photographic Wholesalers organized a tour for 200+ photography enthusiasts, professionals and students where there would be over $1,000,000 worth of camera equipment, Tanya Powell models, animals, food, flies, drinks and the like. Brands that were represented were Canon, Sigma, Pentax, Nikon, Olympus, Hasselblad, Bowens, Sony and a few others.

Photographers met on North Terrace at 7.45am and boarded buses which proceeded to cart us up to Monarto. We were at our first stop by 9.30am.

Our first stop was with Latisha from Tanya Powell Models dressed as a bride. Pentax and Sigma were represented at this site. The Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Macro was my favorite lens at this site. The photograph of the Snail Shell and the Pig Face (pink plant) were taken as I was laying in the dirt and shrubs. Latisha was also photographed through a hole in some ruins nearby. Angela and I ended up kidnapping Latisha so we could get different photographs other than the 50 million similar ones in the same spot by all the other photographers.

The second site was the Lions on one side and the wild Dogs on the other. This site was represented by Canon. I got to touch the Canon 5D MkII which made my day. The first camera I used was the Canon 1D MkIII and the Canon EF500MM f/4L IS USM lens. Very nice combination. The Hyena sniffing the wooden wheel was shot with this combo.

Third stop was the Cheetah enclosure. They were hiding though so I wandered out bush for a bit til I got told off. This site was represented by Olympus. I used the E3 and the 150mm f/2 lens. Melody was the model at this site. By the time I got around to photograph her, she had been standing in the same place for a good 30 minutes. So once again, Angela and I kidnapped her and brought her out bush. It was funny to see all the other photographers proceed to tag along and just shoot the same pics. But at least we got something different first :)

The fourth stop was the White Rhino enclosure represented by Sony. I used the A300 and the A900 with the 200mm and the 100-400 lens. Not really my cup of tea, but still enjoyed messing around with the cameras.

Next was Hasselblad. I like.

The last stop was the Giraffe site represented by Nikon. First camera I got my hands on was the D3 with a 400mm f/2.8. Very nice. Kiara knows how to work the camera. She's a half Filipino girl, gorgeous as anything and great to work with. She was the Tanya Powell model at this station. I then used the Nikon D90 with a 105mm f/2.8 which was quite nice to use. Also got my hands on the 600mm f/4 to capture the Giraffes mouth. I had a great time using the Nikon gear but I would never buy one. Sorry Nikon, but Canon just do it for me.

Overall it was a great day. The only thing I would change is to provide more bottled water and non-soggy food.

Over and out.

-Ben

South Australian Obedience Dog Club




After the breakfast meeting last Tuesday, I stumbled across the South Australian Obedience Dog Club (SAODC) in the south eastern corner of the city. I spoke with Pin, the president and also shot some photographs of a couple of dogs. Pin asked me to come back the following Saturday for the Night Trials. I did just that. The images above are only a few of the hundreds of images that I snapped. These are Shetland Collies, a German Sheppard puppy and a young Dalmatian.

The SAODC also had a raffle where the first prize is a photo shoot with Benjamin Liew Photography worth $168. The winner of this prize is Eileen and Peta - her cute little collie. The winners photo shoot will be happening next week at the SAODC grounds at midday.

It is good to see so many dogs so well looked after and cared for by their owners. It's a lot different to seeing all the poor abandoned animals at the Animal Welfare League.

I am selling the images as prints to anybody who wants them. I have order forms which can be downloaded from my website, and the pictures can also be viewed on there.

Wednesday 5 November 2008

Adelaide Matters

Adelaide Matters published a story on Benjamin Liew Photography this year. Please click here to read the full story.


Damron Designs Jewelry Shoot






The following are images of jewelery designed by Norma from Damron Designs.

Sally Park - The Band





Jaime, Josh, David and Harry make up the High school band Sally Park.

SAPPAs 2008


SAPPA is similar to the APPAs, only it is just for the state of South Australia. It is sponsored by Epson and the AIPP.

So far I have only received notification that this print scored an 87 - Silver Distinction.

APPAs 2008



APPA (Australian Professional Photographs Awards) is a national competition for professional and emerging photographers in Australia. It is sponsored by Canon and the AIPP and the grand prize is AUD$20,000 worth of gear. Awards are presented for images that are exceptional and are scored out of 100. Scores from 80 to 84 receive a Silver award, 85-89 Silver with Distinction, 90-94 is Gold and 95-100 is Gold with Distinction.

Benjamin submitted two images to this prestigious competition and came out with scores of 82 and Silver awards.

Ashton Bo Brown in Sydney

The following images are of my cousin Manuela, her husband Eric and their newborn - Ashton. The cat is Coco and the rabbit is Oscar. One big happy family! :) They live in Sydney and this photo shoot was a gift to them.









Tuesday 4 November 2008

Animal Welfare Photographs

Since May of 2008, Benjamin Liew Photography has been volunteering their photographic services to the Animal Welfare League at Wingfield. It started out as a trial on a weekly basis to give something to the world instead of just taking. It is now a fortnightly donation from Benjamin to help the unfortunate animals of Adelaide who are abandoned, lost, or ill-treated by their previous owners. I encourage everybody to go and visit the AWL website and to go down to their Wingfield shelter to at least spend time with the animals and possibly even adopt one into a loving home.

The following images are a small collection of the hundreds of animals I have photographed. Some of their names I remember as they have had an impact on me, their personality stood out. Others I don't know by name but are equally as special.




Yoshi

Taco



Freda

Holly









Patch