Some people really like licking stamps, I don’t. Thankfully most are self-adhesive. 
Most exciting though, is the 55c stamp featuring The Rocks Precinct by Wildlight photographer, Philip Quirk. Also in the Tourist precinct stamp issue by Australia Post is the Luna Park Maxi card by Wildlight photographer, Rennie Ellis. So stand in the queue at Aussie Post and peel back a layer of Australian society - social observation has never been so easy!
We’ve been very privileged to participate in a new book compiled by filmmaker and photographer, John Ogden. With a working title Portraits from a Land Without People, it’s sure to stir the pot. Oggy has researched hundreds of thousands of images of aboriginal Australians dating back to 1847. The book comprises 300 powerful images which describe a pictorial history of Aboriginal Australians. Wildlight is proud to have contributed seven images to the book by David Moore, Penny Tweedie and Carolyn Johns. The book is scheduled to be released in February 2009, with proceeds flowing to the Jimmy Little Foundation, to help improve kidney health in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. To see a multimedia slideshow and interview with Oggy by the Sydney Morning Herald, then click here. I’ve been trying to get John Ogden to join the Wildlight library for a year now, but he seems to be distracted by this book…good luck Oggy!
“I do not alter my photographs through Photoshop because I want to convey the beauty of what is there, without interference. There is so much beauty out there it does not require manipulation” says Richard Woldendorp.
See Richard Woldendorp’s extraordinary abstract aerial exhibition Truth and Magic in the Age of Photoshop at
82-84 George Street Redfern Sydney
22 October - 15 November
You can licence images from the master of aerial photography here at Wildlight.
A fascinating and quite unexpected discovery at the PictureHouse Sydney 2008 tradeshow did present itself rather perplexingly in the unisex toilet block at B2 Studios. All manner of derrière delights could be experienced just by sitting down on the throne. And futuristic command module it was, complete with a control panel which would instantly retire the space shuttle program. A picture is splashed a thousand words…
The build up to PictureHouse Sydney 2008 was huge, pity the attendance wasn’t there to match it! I’d like to say a big thank you to those new and existing customers who visited the Wildlight/Photo New Zealand stand - it was great to see/meet you. All the exhibitors put on a good show and made a lot of effort for the droves of picture buyers who never came. More networking was done between competitors than prospective clients -it’s called exploring Co-opetition opportunities. The venue was great, B2 Studios, but the location for a trade show was not ideal. Advertising for the trade show should be readdressed, perhaps exhibitors need to pay more to achieve a better, locally sourced mailing list and more print advertising. Food, coffee and wine were excellent - the Wildlight stand was strategically positioned opposite the cafe/dining area - awesome! I think a more careful location for the show needs to be considered, and maybe the exhibition needs to be part of a larger trade event catering for advertising/designers. It will give the organisers plenty to think about before they leap into it next year. Asked if we would do it again for 2009, well, it depends…
Our stand looked great, thanks to Nick and Peter at DisplaySource for printing the Wildlight banner. Rob Lile at Photo New Zealand gave us great marketing support and sent their banner and quirky promo card quick smart.
Firstly, Jean-Marc and I were really disappointed that we didn’t win the print, all our ballot rigging would have had George Dubya (and Jeb) and Bob Mugabe cheering, instead, fairness won the day. And what a fair and impartial hand to draw the winning card from the lucky dip bowl - the lovely Gabrielle Haumesser. 
This cool, framed Rennie Ellis print of Bondi Beach, complete with Certificate of Authenticity was won by, Linda Brainwood - freelance picture researcher. Congratulations Linda! She was thrilled, and her wall will be thrilled to have it hanging there too!
Many thanks to Manuela and Kerry at the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive for contributing the artist proof. Special thanks also, to the guys at Acme Art and Framing Gallery in Surry Hills for doing a fantastic framing job in such a short time. The expert advice and archival materials used were first class.
Entries close Sunday 2nd November 2008.
Well deserved recognition was bestowed last week upon Wildlight photographer Mark Lang, when his print of
old man Bill Neidjie, a traditional owner, was accepted by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. Mark spent three years up in Kakadu National Park working as a park ranger, during that time he befriended and sort the mentorship of the late ‘Big Bill’ Neidjie. During his time in the ‘top end’ Mark recorded conversations and photographed the old man and his land, a trust extended to so few non-indigenous people. Mark is currently writing a book about his experiences with the old man.
Mark’s emotive portrait of ‘Big Bill’ Neidjie was gratefully accepted by the Gallery’s board in charge of new acquisitions. The 20″x16″ seven-colour black and white archival print will hang as part of the NPG’s permanent collection in 2009.
We’re very happy to announce the winner of our Wild about Wildlight competition. Cynthia Wardle from John Wiley & Sons Publishing receives a signed copy of Richard Woldendorp’s new book Abstract Earth. Entrants were asked to write a humorous testimonial of 50 words or less about Wildlight Photo Agency and the Australian way of life. Cynthia won the prize with this brilliant piece of creative copy:
“There’s nothing more Australian than bludging, and Wildlight photographers have the biggest bludge of all: wandering round this vast land taking photos of spectacular scenery. Thankfully, they’re really good at it.”
Congratulations Cynthia! We’re not sure that our photographers will be entering Bludger in the occupation box of their immigration cards anytime soon, but they’re bound to get a good laugh from your kind words.
Visitors to the joint Wildlight/Photo New Zealand booth at the PictureHouse Sydney exhibition this coming Wednesday, 17 September at b2 photographic studio, 46 - 62 Maddox Street, Alexandria from 11.30am-7pm have a chance to win an iconic Rennie Ellis limited edition framed artist proof worth $1,590. Just drop your business card or contact details in the lucky draw bowl and make sure you are registered as a trade user on our website site in your own name ready for the drawing which will be on Wednesday, 24 September 2008 at noon. Winner will be notified by email and details will be posted on our home page.
Elegantly framed in a black box frame using acid free matting, the C Type digital colour photograph print titled Bondi NSW 1997 (signed verso) is an artist proof and comes complete with a certificate of authenticity mounted at the back of the frame.
Find out more about the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive and all the limited edition prints available here.
LightVision is an exciting news feed straight from the photo editor's desk of Wildlight Photo Agency. Wildlight is an independent, Australian owned picture library featuring premium rights-managed images of places, people and lifestyle in Australia, captured by award-winning photographers from all over OZ. The LightVision name builds upon the original printed Australian photography magazines of the same name, produced by Jean-Marc Le Péchoux in 1970's Melbourne.
[Masthead Credit: Image WL090028975, by Rennie Ellis. Jan 1987. Sandy bum, Trigg Beach, Western Australia, Australia]