Photographer in Residence - Client Feedback

from the Maitland Photographer in Residence Collection © Paul Foley/Lightmoods

I want to share the feedback I received on the Maitland Council PiR that was conducted during last year. Find out more about how this unique approach to story telling and engagement works for regional tourism and localities. Click here to download details.

In the client's words:

-         The use of Instagram and being able to integrate this in the PiR boosted the My Maitland Instagram account, as well as established the hashtag #mymaitland for future campaigns.
-         The photowalk that was included in the PiR had a great turn out, with a range of local photographers with a variety of photography abilities joining in for the day. The feedback from those who participated was great and as such we have since been able to connect with these photographers to use their images from the day.
-         A greater audience was reached as a result of Paul sharing the PiR images across his Instagram account @Lightmoods, promoting Maitland to his 9.5K+ followers
-         Having an extended and flexible time frame for the PiR visits, allowed Paul to capture the essence of Maitland, including through various seasons and emphases on different themes.
-         Using the PiR images for the gallery on the Library wall had an amazing impact for this first installation.
-         The first instalment of PiR was focusing on the people of Maitland and their stories, while the second instalment focused on the places of Maitland. The final instalment was a mixture of both and allowed Paul to use his knowledge of the area and freedom of his time to capture those everyday beauties which we normally take for granted.
-         We ended up with a large suite of images (approximately 440) which we are now able to use for promotional purposes for Maitland’s Visitor Economy brand. 

Website: www.lightmoods.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightmoods/

Lighting Maitland's Fairytales

Late in 2009 I was engaged by Maitland Tourism to photograph their 2010 Visitor Guide. Based on the phrase 'Step into the story...' it placed fairytale themes in some of the beautiful and historical locations in and around Maitland in the Hunter Valley (Australia).

While this entry is more on the technical side I hope readers will find something of interest here. In the months since the pictures were first published I have had several enquiries about the lighting used on the four pictures here. Most people were surprised to learn that the pictures were made using small Canon flash. They are quick, easy to set up and move and, in most cases, perfectly suited to making great pictures within the often tight budgets and short deadlines we work to today.


Fairytales - Images by Paul Foley

There is much good that has come from the digital age for photographers, particularly in the technical aspects of focus, exposure and lighting. There are also significant time savings in transporting and setting up the more compact lighting systems that digital capture allows us to use.

Over recent years there has been growing use of small camera flash systems in place of the larger systems required by film. Originally designed to be used in the hotshoe on top of the camera these small flashes are now placed on stands away from the camera and fired by radio or infrared controls or linked by cables. For anyone wanting to learn more about this style of lighting then head over to the guru David Hobby at The Strobist.

Taking these flash off the hotshoe usually meant that using the automatic flash/daylight exposure balancing features of modern professional cameras was problematic. This was especially true in bright outdoor light or when line of sight syncing wasn't possible.

During last year I tested and then bought a PocketWizard MiniTT1 transmitter and four FlexTT5 receiver/transmitters. This new technology allowed my camera to 'talk' to my 4 Canon flash and set their output according to the existing ambient light. Of course, I am also able to adjust the individual lights output as well as control them fully manually.

I've been using this system for over a year now and am extremely pleased with it. I often work without an assistant so the flexibility and reliability they provide makes life easier and clients happier.

The photographs in the Gallery (above) were all lit using Canon 580 and 550 flash fitted with various light modifiers. I think they illustrate the capabilities of the technology and how it complements traditional photographic skills and creativity.

Of course a shoot such as this is the result of great ideas, design, styling and teamwork:

Client: Maitland Tourism
Rachel MacLucas, Melanie Hutchinson

Agency: Out of the Square
Martin Adnum, Xanthe Addison, Lauren Bliss

Makeup/Hair: Chic Artistry

Talent: Carly, Andrew, Brian

My Doggy Fun Day

Not every day sees me photographing VIPs or international models. Actually, hardly any day sees me in those photographic situations. Sometimes though, I am asked to photographed dogs. In a decommissioned colonial gaol.

Well, actually, a recent occasion was the first time. I was engaged by Rachel MacLucas who runs the award winning Maitland Tourism in that beautiful city at the base of Australia's Hunter Valley.

The Hunter Valley is famous for it's coal mining, horse breeding and wines. Maitland is its hub - a place by the beautiful Hunter River - a city of memories and living history.

It's also well known for it's famous festivals. Steamfest celebrates the importance, majesty and plain fun of steam powered machines and locomotives. Bitter and Twisted is a weekend concoction of non bitter and certainly not twisted music, gourmet food and hand crafted beer which has somehow found a home in an old colonial gaol.

And now Doggy FunDay will be the day when every dog will have it's…(oh dear) day.


Doggy Funday - Images by Paul Foley

Photographing 10 dogs in a variety of 'outfits' and accompanied by props on a white background (or on a white table on a white background) was interesting on many levels.

Some observations:
Dog owners really love their dogs.
Dogs are loveable.
Dogs know they are loveable.
Dogs have us figured out.
We really shouldn't fear mean and nasty guard dogs - it's the cute ones I met on the shoot who will rule the world.

The pics in the gallery are processed RAW files with a contrast curve added in Lightroom 3 so please don't say anything about the retouching I didn't do. Unless you want one of my newfound canine buddies to lick your face!

Tech details: Canon 5D Mark 2, Canon 100mm Macro, Canon 50mm f 1.2, Elincrom Ranger Quadra Flash, patience