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.

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.

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

AIPP Brekky meeting & Random encounter with a dog club

On the first Tuesday of each new month, members of the AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photographers) and people interesting in joining gather at Alfonzo's on Hutt Street for a breakfast meeting. This morning was the first meeting following the SAPPAs which is the South Australian Professional Photographers Awards. There was a little discussion about the awards themselves but we mostly talked about Kristy's experience with lunatics, Angela's car being sold and possibility of purchasing a new camera (unfortunately it's not a Canon), Kens new G10 and when he will get his Visa and how hot the sun can be when it's shining on your back for an hour or two.

Following the meeting, I had a bit of time to kill before my meeting with my client who is also my Yellow pages representative, David to discuss options and fine tune the advertisement. I drove around the south eastern part of town looking for graffiti to photograph but came across a dog club instead. There were at least 50 owners and their dogs there being trained. I spoke with the president who's name is Pin and the Vice President (i think) by the name of Rob. Pin told me to come back on Saturday night where I will be able to hand out cards. I will do just that.

Peta is a 9 year old Collie and her owner Eileen allowed me to take some photographs. Spice is a 5 month old pup belonging to Jackie.


The posted photographs are of course raw and unedited photographs.

Cheers,

-Ben