Australian Photography May 2020

It seems only a couple of weeks ago I was writing an editorial about the Australian bushfires, and yet now we are dealing with events that have me once again struggling to find the right words to capture these unique times. In that editorial back in March, I spoke about the power of photography to create change, but with the COVID-19 pandemic currently sweeping the globe, picking up a camera in these times can just feel too hard or unimportant. Particularly as our attention shifts to our health, the health of our families and loved ones, to our businesses and employment. And yet we are living through a truly unique time in history, one that people will analyse and discuss for decades to come. As photographers, we have the power to document…

MITCH GREEN Mitch Green is a Sydney-based travel and landscape photographer. He can be found at mitchgreenphotos.com, or down by the beach at 5am waiting for sunrise. You can also find him on Instagram @mitchgreenphotos BHAGI SIVA Bhagi Siva is a travel and documentary photographer based in Sydney. His work often revolves around documenting cultures and human connections around the world. See more at bhagisiva.com STEVE THOMAS Steve Thomas has been racing, shooting and writing about bikes and adventure travel for most of his life, and has earned his crust from it for 25-plus years. See more of his work at stevethomasimages.com SAM EDMONDS Sam Edmonds is a photographer, writer and Antarctic expedition guide focusing on issues of ecology and conservation. See more of his work at samedmondsphoto.com…

It was our second to last day on Lady Elliot Island when we decided to look for manta rays one final time. Up until then we hadn’t had any luck, and after waiting at their cleaning station for more than half an hour we decided to give up and head back in. Then, almost straight away and out of nowhere, a beautiful sight underneath us began to unfold. A train of seven mantas graciously glided past. Excited by the sighting, we rushed to follow them. The mantas were in a courtship train and the gentle giants were dancing with each other right beneath us. Thrilled by the encounter, I knew I had to control my excitement and focus on taking photos because moments like these can be over in a heartbeat. I…

CANON LOOKS TO SHUT DOWN SPECULATION WITH LATEST EOS R5 ANNOUNCEMENT CANON has taken the unusual action of releasing further specs for its recently announced EOS R5, in an effort to shut down speculation that some of its revolutionary specifications are “a fantasy”. In a press release, Canon confirmed the upcoming mirrorless full frame camera will offer the ability to internally record 8K using the full width of the sensor up to 30p. In addition, in all 8K modes the EOS R5 will support Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF. The Japanese company also confirmed the EOS R5 will support “advanced” animal AF – recognising dogs, cats and birds, and will rely “not only on the eyes of the animal but also the face and body” when the eyes are not visible. The specifications come…

From one of my busiest ever years for tours and workshops, to COVID-19 and the shutdown of the world – these are challenging times we all find ourselves in right now. Anyone who knows me might think I’d be spending all my spare time fishing, and while that’s partially true, the reality is I also have lots of time to think about photography. With every cloud, there’s a rainbow, and this is a great time to work on a project or two. We all have things we put aside for a rainy day. Well guess what, it is pouring right now! I love projects as they fine-tune your brain and get you thinking about new ways to use your imagery. How many times have you started something, only to be distracted by…

ACTION We've always thought there's something magical about the first time you realise you can change a scene entirely by using a fast or slow shutter speed on your camera. Although many entries looked to freeze action in this month's comp, we also loved the creative entries that challenged this and introduced movement into the frame. From sports to portraits, these are our favourite action shots of the month. CRAIG ANDERSON Senior Boys’ Freestyle EDITOR’S COMMENT We admit it – we’re total suckers for a great fisheye lens shot. It must be because there’s just something so absorbing about fisheye lens imagery that puts the viewer right smack-bang into the action. It’s something Craig Anderson has absolutely nailed with this awesome capture of Year 12 students at his local school swimming carnival. Surprisingly, he tells…