Blinkie Photography Blinkie Photography

Photographing is a great joy for Andrew as it’s the way he sees the world we all do on a day to day bases. Andrew headed down to Geelong to pick up his works from this exhibition. Afterwards Andnew and his friends headed to the North shore in Geelong for lunch and as usual Andrew had his camera and photographed  the shoreline with so much happening on a beautiful Autumn afternoon. This image below is  a gem and he didn’t see what he captured until he saw it on his computer.

The city of Yarra in Melbourne has commissioned Andrew for a very special photographic project. The City of Yarra has ask Andrew to photograph various places of Worship within the city of Yarra. The Project is part of the Yarra Interfaith Network has been formally established to assist in greater interfaith cooperation in Yarra.  The photos will be selected as part of a presentation at an a official lunch in May at the Richmond Town Hall. With his Guide Dog, Eamon and a representative from the city of Yarra, the project is a challenging one for Andrew but he has captured somee amazing images to date.

This image below was captured by Andrew while visiting a Buddhist Temple in Fitzroy. The monk was amazed by Eamon and fell in love with him as Eamon was happy to make a new friend.  The image captures a wonderful understanding moment that they both share for each other.

A true understanding for each other.

Andrew had a wonderful opportunity to be taken up on a 1940 Tiger Moth. The planed was based at Barwon Heads, south east of Geelong. A 4.00am start for Andrew as they had to be at the airport by 7.30am. On arrival, Andrew met the owner and pilot, Mike. where they did a 45 minute flight  down  the coastline of Victoria.

Andrew bought a Black Rapid camera sling where he attached his D90 for video and his D700 for stills. This was to ensure that while in an open air cockpit , Andrew wouldn’t loose his gear while flying. This was one of the best things he got as it was very easy for Andrew to use and was very safe.

After a safety brief Andrew was set. Harness on and mic-up  they took of on a clear crisp morning. Andrew started photographing the journey down the coastline to Torquay, around the light house and back up to the airport. It ended so quickly as Andrew climbed out of the plane and back on land. his excitement was wonderful has he spoke about the flight. The photos Andrew captured were fantastic.

A very special thanks to Mike Killingsworth, where he donated his time to give Andrew a flight to remember and to his wonderful driver who drove Andrew, Eamon and Atalanti to Barwon Heads and also to the 1940 Tiger Moth for a floor-less flight to remember. Andrew would also like to acknowledge, Photography Made Easy, Melbourne for their Technical Advice to ensure a safe and productive photo shoot.

Andrew has a photographic exhibition to help raise funds for his Edinburgh Art Festival Project. The exhibition will be held at the Shearers Arms Gallery,202 Aberdeen Street, Geelong West  from 27th March till the 21st of April. Opening day is on Sunday 1st of April, from 3pm till 5pm. All sales from the exhibition goes towards Andrew and Eamon, his Guide Dog, Edinburgh Project.

Geelong Exhibition.

Andrew is putting on a fund raising photographic exhibition outside of Melbourne next month. Works unseen by the locals, Geelong residance will have an opportunity to see works by Andrew to help raise funds for his adventure to Edinburgh to take part and show case his works as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival next month. This exhibition has been proudly sponsored by the Geelong Arts Society, Geelong West.

Recently Andrew through D.A.T. (Disability Arts Transition), ran his very first Blind Photography Workshops in Adelaide, South Australia. Their were nine participants that took part  in this two day weekend workshops. The results where fantastic as everyone took to the workshops with such strength and with enthusiasm. The event was held  at the Royal Blind Society of South Australia, where much care and support was given to all who attended.  In May, Andrew heads back to Adelaide for the next part of there project.

In August the end results of the workshops will be in their very first public exhibition which will be held at the State Library of South Australia which will be a great challenge and honour for all. The workshops was designed by Andrew to introduce blind people that digital photography can be a way to see a world where they can take a photo and then view them on there own computers or TV’s.

Andrew would like to give a very special thanks to Nikon Australia for lending the project 10 Coolpix pocket rockets for this wonderful project and to the Royal Blind Society of S.A for donating there time and venue to present the workshops. Also we must acknowledge all funding bodies who helped fund the project.

Everyone that took part in the workshops and the longer aims of the project were very enthusiastic and loved the 2 days of fun and learning on how to photograph and to take part in what is a visual world in photography. As a result, Andrew is hoping this will become a National project for all visually impaired and blind people of all ages to take part in what is normally a visual medium in the Arts and general Photography. What a wonderful  achievement by all.

As a blind photographer, Andrew is proud that he can share with others what he has learnt over the years so they can see a world that is not in darkness.

Group photo from the blind photography workshops holding there Nikon Cameras.

Melbourne was granted a visit by one of the worlds largest passenger liners. The Queen Mary 2 sailed up Port Philip BAy to Station Pier in Melbourne where it docked for a few hours  show casing it’s huge size and scale. Andrew was excited to capture the moment as he joined hundreds of others looking at this marval.

Queen Mary 2 docked at Station Pier Melbourne.

Andrew and his Guide Dog Eamon and a friend ventured out on a wet day in Melbourne. It was the perfect day for photography as the rain falls it created a whole new look to the city.

Andrew had a wonderful opportunity to go into ABC studios in Melbourne to record an interview for Lindy Burns’ Radio Program which went to air later that night. Together with Eamon Andrew’s Guide Dog and Margaret, who is helping Andrew with his Edinburgh Project, They spoke about his photography, having Eamon and his fund raising efforts to get to Scotland to take part and exhibit his works as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival. The interview was a great experience and opportunity as it gave Andrew a chance to speak about his project and experiences.