Latest update

It's been a while since Bens last post but that doesn't mean that nothings been happening. Quite the contratry in fact. Benjamin has been going through zone training which basically teaches one how to be in the 'zone'. Life isn't a battle of control, not if you just go with the flow. If your in the zone then everything good just happens. Benjamin is now the first Zone Trained photographer (visit http://www.zonehigh.com/ for more info). In other news, www.benjaminliew.com.au has been revamped with less - less is more right? Still needs some work but it's a work in progress. Benjamin has been busier with admin as opposed to shooting but what better feeling is there than being ORGANISED?!

The studio will be taking on a couple of work experience students soon, so if there is a young person lurking around the studio setup, this is why. Benjamin is currently learning Italian so if you speak the language, please attempt to have a conversation with him in the language.

This is just a quick update so please stay tuned for photo's and more updates.

Expose Your World Competition 2008 Awards Presentation @ Blue Hotel, Woolloomooloo, Sydney.

Last night was the long awaited Award presentation night for the Roving Eye Expose Your World 2008 Competition held at the Blue Hotel in Woolloomooloo, Sydney. It was a great opportunity to meet the other Finalists and Winners of the competition as well as the crew from Roving Eye - Joanna especially who made the whole thing happen. 

The grand prize went to Lung Liu who unfortunately wasnt able to be there, but I did get to meet his represantitive Katie who is a Sydney based photographer. Lung Liu is from Canada and took out the Photo Essay: Environmental Story category. 

I also met Trent Mitchell who flew up from Queensland and his brilliant photograph of Kirra Beach which was the Single Shot: Place - Category Winner as well as being finalist for the Photo Essay: Australian Story and also being Highly Commended in the Single Shot: People category. 

Michael Williams who I met also had shot the coolest series of photographs starring his Alaskan Malamute called Bondi in various places across Europe. Michael was the Category Winner for the Photo Essay: A Traveller's Tale. 

I had the pleasure of briefly meeting Christine Bull who I shared in the Finalist position in the Wildlife Single Shot category. 

The images above are of the Blue Hotel itself. The first one is looking into the hotel and apartments, and the second one is looking towards the bar where the exhibition and presentations were. The other two images are self explanatory. 

Taking the photographs inside the next day was interesting. I asked permission from the front desk, and they obliged. I was shooting for half an hour and when I was on my way out, security walked past and said "you're not allowed to take random photographs in here". I don't know what threw me more: the fact that "Random Photographs" were being discriminated against or that I had already seeked permission and this guy decides to change the rules. Anyway, I got the shots I wanted and left. 

Thanks for reading.

-Benjamin

Dharshi & Ananths Wedding pre-shoot in Adelaide @ Parliament building, Botanic Gardens, the Rotunda on the Torrens, and Botanics on North Tce.

Corporate Portrait Photography at Headquarters Studio Richmond, Adelaide.

Corporate Photoshoots for Ashley Knoote-Parke and Michelle Stanton. Both have published books for which these images will be used for. 

Sorana & Pauls Wedding photographs taken in Adelaide and it's surrounds

Congratulations to Sorana and Paul who were married on the 24th of January 2009 at Wesley Uniting Church in Kent Town. I had the honor of being selected to capture the day in photographs.

Henna Mushrooms

I woke up this morning with this crazy idea to use mushrooms as photographic subjects. Together with Humna's skills, we were able to create this little composition. 

This idea is being developed and more like it will be produced soon. Stay tuned.

-Ben

New Years Eve Fireworks photographs from Balmain, Sydney 2009

 Taken from the end of Darling Street, Balmain at Thornton Park at New Years Eve 2009. 

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.

Henley the Spoodle

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

sandy pic

this my dog sandy. she's so cute.

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

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