Photography Studies College - Blog

The smoke was slowly spiralling from the woman’s ear as the surgeon leaned over to complete her work. 

The doctor was performing a middle ear operation for a patient on The Lifeline Express, a train that has been converted into a travelling hospital. The train journeys across India to poor, remote villages, and the medical staff from India and overseas donate their services for free. On this occasion, we were parked at the Wardha railway station in the state of Maharashtra while the medical staff performed surgery and provided treatment for polio, cleft palates, middle ear infections, cataracts and dental conditions. 

Documentary photographers are often accused of focussing on the negative side of life, only taking pictures of dead bodies, conflict and misery. One critic claimed that some photographers climb over loving couples, cooing babies and contented grandparents in order to shoot the only negative aspect of an event. To a certain extent the critics are right but I don’t believe this is always the truth. 

For instance, in my project about Village Life, I am trying to look not only for the challenges facing rural communities but also the joy, rewards and life enhancing moments that can be found in villages.

Recently, I was in Italy photographing Italo Mondovecchio, a farmer from Tuscany. “Can I get my chicken?” Italo asked. He returned from the shed tenderly holding a beautiful looking bird. I lifted the camera to take the portrait and immediately Italo burst into song serenading, with gusto, his best friend, the rooster.

Topics: documentary photography, photojournalism, michael coyne, Mentoring

As part of the 40 years Sister City Relationship between Melbourne City Council and Osaka City Council an Australian delegation visited Osaka last week. One of the highlights organized by Osaka City Council was the Osaka Food and Tourism seminar which explored opportunities for Osaka based on Melbourne’s great success in this area.

Photography Studies College's Osaka-based Japan- Australia Educational Liaison Officer, Steph Doran was one of four guest presenters at the seminar. Her presentation, delivered in Japanese, featured photographs of Osaka and Melbourne, including her own and a number shot by PSC students. She highlighted the food and coffee culture of both cities, their similarities and differences. Her lively presentation was enthusiastically received by a predominantly Japanese audience drawing on her knowledge of the great food culture of both cities.

Other presenters included Professor Shinya Hashizume from Osaka Prefecture University, Councillor Philip Le Liu from Melbourne City Council and Mr David Lawson, Australia’s Consul General in Japan.

Topics: photography graduates, photojournalism, Street Photography, Travel Photography, steph doran, Japan, International Photography Tours, Graduate Exhibition, Dr Michael Coyne, Photojournalist, Osaka City, Melbourne City Council, Discover Japan Tour, Osaka, In the Press

http://www.michaelcoyne.com.au

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Waiting is a big part of my working life as a photojournalist. Waiting to be contacted, waiting for permission, waiting for the light and waiting for the right moment to happen. Recently, I was waiting at a Timor Leste prison for permission to photograph the inmates. I sat behind the metal bars watching the sun going down hoping we could start taking pictures before it got too dark. Getting into a prison as a photographer is not always easy. Permission has to come from the guards, warden and often politicians, all of which takes time. Everyone has a vested interest in what I see and photograph except regrettably the prisoners themselves. Waiting was uncomfortable, the buckled chair wobbled and threatened to collapse each time I moved. Across the compound I could see men with the word prisoner, emblazoned in bold letters on their shirts. I’ve photographed prisons in other countries. Sometimes it’s easy to get in and on other occasions I’ve waited days, weeks, even months to be told no, I can’t come in. Once when I was at a prison in the Philippines a guard with a gun strapped across his chest, performed karaoke for me as I waited to meet the prisoners. On this occasion I was lucky. I got permission, passed security, went through the gates and then I waited for the prisoners, also the captive audience of the guard’s karaoke via loudspeakers. A poorly performed Elvis Presley numbers doesn’t make waiting any easier!

Topics: documentary photography, photojournalism, timor leste, Mentoring, Dr Michael Coyne, Photojournalist

On September 15 PSC’s Advanced Diploma photojournalism major students travelled to RMIT for a lecture presented by leading international corporate/editorial/travel photographer Ian Lloyd. Canada-born and now resident in Sydney, Ian's career has spanned the globe and included a long stint in Singapore, where he established a stock library and publishing company. Long regarded as a top Asia specialist, he has worked for a number of high-profile clients including National Geographic, Time, Exxon and Apple. He has published 35 books, including  STUDIO: Australian Painters on the Nature of Creativity(2007) , a best-seller accompanied by an exhibition shown in 22 state and regional galleries and seen by more than 130,000 people. Travel remains Ian’s focus, and he spends about half of every year on the road shooting stock and undertaking occasional editorial assignments.

Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, Time, Travel Photography, Advanced Diploma, Apple, Bill Bachman, Business Tips, careers, diploma of photography, Event, Exxon, Ian Lloyd, melbourne, Melbourne Polytechnic, national geographic, Part Time Photography Course, photographer, photography studies, Photography Tips, professional photography, Published Work, RMIT, Students

On September 15 PSC’s Advanced Diploma photojournalism major students travelled to RMIT for a lecture presented by leading international corporate/editorial/travel photographer Ian Lloyd. Canada-born and now resident in Sydney, Ian's career has spanned the globe and included a long stint in Singapore, where he established a stock library and publishing company. Long regarded as a top Asia specialist, he has worked for a number of high-profile clients including National Geographic, Time, Exxon and Apple. He has published 35 books, including  STUDIO: Australian Painters on the Nature of Creativity(2007) , a best-seller accompanied by an exhibition shown in 22 state and regional galleries and seen by more than 130,000 people. Travel remains Ian’s focus, and he spends about half of every year on the road shooting stock and undertaking occasional editorial assignments.

Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, Time, Travel Photography, Advanced Diploma, Apple, Bill Bachman, Business Tips, careers, diploma of photography, Event, Exxon, Ian Lloyd, melbourne, Melbourne Polytechnic, national geographic, Part Time Photography Course, photographer, photography studies, Photography Tips, professional photography, Published Work, RMIT, Students

Justice Cameron is currently in her 3rd year of being at PSC and is seeing wonderful success as a freelance photojournalist. She is regularly approached by news networks on Channel 7, Channel 9 and Channel 10, for her stories.

Topics: australia, Highlight, photojournalism, Geelong Advertiser, Staff

Justice Cameron is currently in her 3rd year of being at PSC and is seeing wonderful success as a freelance photojournalist. She is regularly approached by news networks on Channel 7, Channel 9 and Channel 10, for her stories.

Topics: australia, Highlight, photojournalism, Geelong Advertiser, Staff

Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, The Age, Internship, photography, Students

Topics: Highlight, photojournalism, The Age, Internship, photography, Students

Nathan Larkin (PSC Graduate)
'Cede' Exhibition Opening
23rd March, 5-7pm 
Testing Grounds (1 - 23 City Road, Southbank VIC 3006) 

Topics: photojournalism, testing grounds, Exhibition, graduates