Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Paul, I’ll buy it on Tuesday!

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Congratulations!!!! Very well done. regards Gail

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Hey All.. just an update.. I got the cover image!! Check it out, it’s in newsagents now :-)

- paul

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Hey All,

I thought I’d let you know that I’m getting featured in the next edition of Photo Review Australia.. so keep an eye out for the major interview and photos.. I’m hoping I get a cover photo on there :-)

- paul

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Excellent photograph, and I love the story here.
Amusing anecdotes and interesting information.

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Congrats Paul. A great image and it was very interesting reading abot you too!!

Regards.

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Congratulations Paul – thanks for the story.

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Congratulations Paul. It’s a beautiful image.

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia Winner's Lounge

Congratulations to Paul Pichugin who is the winner of the Adelaide Group’s latest challenge Beaches of South Australia.

Here is Paul’s moment in the spotlight…

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m 27, born in Adelaide, raised all over Australia, ended up living in Brisbane for the majority of my life though. I moved to Perth with my wife about 1 month ago. We drove from Brisbane to Perth Via Adelaide.. had an absolutely awesome trip.

2. When did you first discover you wanted to be a photographer and artist?
I got my first camera at age 6 when we moved from SA to QLD (Dad was in the Army), took some pretty decent pictures then.. I really got into it seriously when I got out of highschool though.

3. How does being a photographer and artist effect other aspects of your life?
I see things differently, I’m always looking at light and composition.. I simply can’t see things normally anymore.

4. What has been your greatest accomplishment as an artist up to the present date?
I’ve been nominated as Australia’s Top Photographer 2009 in 4 categories, I’ve been featured in Masters of Weddings Magazine, QLD Bride and I’ve got an interview in the next edition of Photo Review Australia

5. How did you discover RedBubble?
I don’t remember to be honest.. I think a friend on facebook suggested it..

6. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful.
I’ve connected with many people on RB, I haven’t met any of them in real life yet, but I’m looking forward to meeting up with some of my online friends very soon. I’ve made some new fans and have found some great inspiration.. there hasn’t been any single moment that has been special.. and there are too many people that are special on here to single any of them out.

7. Tell us which five works and/or artists (either written or artwork) inspire you the most. How did you discover them?
Well, the first thing I bought on redbubble was an awesome tshirt by Scott Robinson. I also enjoy graphic and web design so I found Scott’s approach to design very refreshing and enjoyable.
Deeper Water by Naomi Frost is a particularly moving piece for me, it’s very understated with some great shades in it.
God Beam by Christopher Testi is another beautiful piece, I love slot canyons, I haven’t had a chance to visit any yet, but I love the depth of field in this shot, the lighting is just perfect. it’s an awsome shot, although his work in general does remind me somewhat of Peter Liks work.
The work of Dave Orias is really inspiring, the way he captures light and colour is amazing. I love his wave abstracts like Abstract Wave.

8. What are your favourite pieces of your own work that you are most proud to show off?
I’ve got a few favorites. I’ll list a couple of them…

Hamelin Bay II

SS Dicky Dawn

Otways Rainforest

Approaching Storm

Crawley Edge Boatshed

9. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while out taking photos?
There’s been a few funny incidents… one was at Beuchamp Falls taking this shot. I’m climbing over the rocks to find a good angle when I slip, but I don’t slip and fall over, I slip and fall up Home Alone style… then come crashing down into the water which was near on freezing. I managed to hold my camera and bag up above the water while I get completely drenched. Meanwhile my poor butt has been impaled by a stick. I ended up with some decent photos, a 5km hike back to the car and then a visit to the doctors for a couple of stitches and a tetanus needle. I quite like the photo though.

10. Where do you hope to be in five years time? Or even this time next year?
Doing photography full time… mostly landscapes.

~ Paul

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia

We’ve got lots and lots of writing I see!!! Not!!! Oh well… I guess the Adelaideans are more of a visual kind of folk :D Well, we are artists!!!

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia

I’m looking forward to seeing what our artists to submit to this challenge!

Topic: Challenges / Beaches of South Australia

In a bid to include writers in the March Challenge Beaches of South Australia, I’m encouraging you all to write a poem or story and submit it here.

Submit whatever writing you have… coastlines, beaches, beach themed photos, artwork, drawings, paintings, macros… as long as it states in the description where it is in South Australia it can be entered.

To enter the challenge, please post your stories or poetry here in this forum with or without a link to the original page in your profile. Also make sure it’s submitted to the Adelaide Group so that we can feature it later.

At the end of the submission time, please come back here to the forum and choose which piece of writing you like the best.

The glorious prize will be an interview and the stardom of being featured in our Adelaide Group. The winners are the ones with most votes from each of the challenges (writing and images).

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009 Winners Lounge

thanks guys! :D

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009 Winners Lounge

Great interviews always good to know more about fellow bubblers, well done you two :-))

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009 Winners Lounge

Thanks a lot Muscular. GamingSA isn’t quite a professional gaming site, though it is sort of my illegitimate child—we’re working on bringing it up to scratch ;)

I scored my first gig writing about videogames in the Uni of Adelaide student newspaper, On Dit. I convinced enough publishers that I was a good enough writer to reviewer their titles, then I wrote for Internode Games for a little while, then another smaller site, and just kept going.

While I enjoy writing for my blog GraffitiGamer and for GamingSA, I enjoy writing freelance articles for Escapist Magazine the most—also, they pay really well.

If you’re looking to get into games writing, my advice would be to first start writing, then start writing about games. Many of the best games journalists are writers first and foremost, gamers second.

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009 Winners Lounge

GREAT 2 INTERVIEWS , AND HOWD YOU SCORE A WRITING SLOT IN THE GAME SITE? THATS WAAAY COOOOL.

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009 Winners Lounge

First of all I’d like to introduce Andre Gascoigne who has some amazing photographs in his RB gallery.

Andre won the Fireworks Artwork Challenge and here is his moment in the spotlight. Welcome, Andre, to the Winner’s Lounge.

Firstly a massive thankyou for everyone who setup and ran the challenge, everyone who entered, and everybody who voted. It is things like these that keep groups fun, interesting, and happening. What good is group if nobody gets involved, or has no motivation. So thankyou!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Well… what to say? I am a 21 year old guy from the eastern suburbs. I grew up with my dad living most of the week in Melbourne (coming home for weekends) until I was about 5. Also, he went Rally driving in the Targa Tasmania. Cars always have been and always will be an extremely big influence in my life.
I first went to Linden Park primary school, then moved to Prince Alfred College in year 3 where I completed my schooling. At school I was never hugely interested in subjects like history or English where remembering specific things got you marks, more things like Maths, Art and Science where you could learn WHY things happen, and how things work. My marks for my various subjects reflected this.

After school I went to UniSA and studied Industrial Design for a year and a half when I decided it wasn’t for me. Some of the subjects (such as CAD drawing, marker rendering, and the workshop subjects) I absolutely loved, but at the same time, a year and a half into the course we were being taught how to draw a circle. I decided I had better ways to waste money than that!
It was around halfway through the first year that I got my first car – the white BMW – that features a few times in my portfolio. At around the same time as this I Joined the Alfa Romeo car club and started going along to driver training days out at Mallala.
After the 3rd Driver training day, I started instructing!

Anyway, this is getting way too long already!

Basically I sterted taking photos in school with a pocket camera, and after the ID course, I worked for half a year, then went and did a Diploma of Commercial Photography.
Having finished that, I Still LOVE photography, but decided to switch to fulltime work in 2008 at Battery World to work out what to do next. I was part time before this, but I figured the extra money can’t hurt.
Only in the last few weeks have I decided what to do with this year… go back and do some higher level maths, and then next year do Electrical Engineering at University. A month ago I bought my new car, the red 328i, and we have many photos to come!

2. When did you first discover you wanted to be a photographer and artist?
I always had a thing for art and lived in my younger sister’s artistic shadow for a long time… until I hit high school. In high school I threw myself at art and in year 10 won the school’s art prize. During school I always wanted a camera and fancied the images that I produced, but never really did anything with them.
After school, I got a job and could suddenly afford a nice SLR, a 400d! I preordered it, and picked it up half an hour after they were released.
This started an obsession with buying camera gear, and lenses and bags, and the rest is history.
I now run a 40d and a backpack full of gizmos.

3. How does being a photographer and artist effect other aspects of your life?
It’s horrible! Between that and playing with cars, it leaves you very broke indeed and without time for anything else!

4. What has been your greatest accomplishment as an artist up to the present date? Please also tell us more about your first two silver print awards from the AIPP state competition.
I’ve had a couple that I’ve been pretty proud of. The first was getting into the Diploma of Commercial Photography at TAFE. The number of people that applied (a couple of hundred I think), and the number of places that were given (only about 20) – I was pretty proud of that.
After that, I got my image ‘lightning over Adelaide’ selected by public vote for the Channel 10 weather calendar which I was certainly stoked with.
And finally, my couple of Silver Print awards in the AIPP awards. I entered the student category which means that your images are compared with and against the professionals images (without the judges knowing who’s is who’s.) There is a panel of 5 judges and the images are shown one at a time and scored – and those with high enough scores win awards.

5. How did you discover RedBubble?
Working at Battery World I spend a lot of time out and about in the Van. This also means a lot of listening to triple J on the radio, which I love!
I think it was Melody who was being interviewed about this awesome new community called RedBubble. So when I got back to the shop, I had to check it out. It was awesome!

6. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful.
The first sale was obviously an awesome feeling, and so was having so many comments flood in on an image you first upload, but I think the best overall was selling a poster of the White Car. Not only knowing that someone liked my photos enough to buy a poster of it, but also of my own car, was flattering!

7. Tell us which five works and/or artists (either written or artwork) inspire you the most. How did you discover them?
Its so hard to choose between all of the RB artists that I decided to choose my 2 most favourite famous artists.
My first famous artists would have to be Da Vinci. I simply LOVE his efforts in attempting to work out how things happen, and what makes stuff tick. When I look at things, I feel I look at them in the same way as him, but I am always so inspired by his efforts of going so much further and recording them, researching, and coming up with such crazy and out there ideas, and then making them work. Truly inspirational.
Second would Picasso for his piece Les Demoiselles d’Avignon. To come up with the first piece of deliberately abstracted art is just wild! I wonder how the world would be without this. Would we even Photoshop? Or would we still be aiming for such extreme realism in everything.

8. What are your favourite pieces of your own work that you are most proud to show off?
Quite honestly, I’m a very shy person and I don’t really like to show them off. There are loads of pictures I have that I really like, but I don’t show them around, I guess for fear of people not liking them. I love Red Bubble because it is a way of showing off without having to be there in person myself!
That said, I most like my pictures when they are high contrast and have some really punchy perspective and colors to them.

9. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while out taking photos?
Late last year as a family we went to Europe. The whole time for me was an ultra nonstop photo shoot. Whilst in Italy we went to the town of Ferrara. There was a couple of young children in the street playing with pigeons and Dad decided to take a photo of them because they were just so funny about it. They would run up and chase them, but when the bird flew off they were absolutely terrified!
I found it really funny because some old lady thought Dad was a pedophile taking pictures of them and spent about 10 mins cutting sick at him, all in Italian of course, and we couldn’t get away.
I’m really glad it wasn’t me and the fact that it was Dad made it even funnier!

10. Where do you hope to be in five years time? Or even this time next year.
Next year – I hope to be enrolled in Engineering, and still with my loving girlfriend Emily. I’ll still be taking lots of photos, and hopefully have a bit more time to process them and upload them! Other than that, I’ll take it as it comes.

Thank you so much for this opportunity. I look forward to any future challenges and keeping this amazing group going!

. . . . . . . . . .

Next I’d like to introduce StolenName. As well as a great poet, he has some amazing photos in his RB gallery. Sleep and Bang is his winning entry in the Fireworks Writers Challenge and here is his moment in the spotlight. Welcome to the Winner’s Lounge, StolenName!!

Hey there, thanks a lot for the opportunity to be interviewed and featured in the South Aus group. I’ve only just recently joined so I must say I’m embarrassed that I don’t have a larger, and more professional, collection of images to show off. Thank you again!

Also, I rambled. Heh. Enjoy!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Wow, stumped on the first question! Shortest answer: I’m a man of many hobbies. Typically, if I try something, I’ll get good at it if I want to. And I’ve tried many things.

I write for www.gamingsa.com, a videogame website and also blog about my many videogaming adventures. I think about games too much and, aside from chatting to friends, these are the places I blurt out everything I’ve been stewing on, they’ve also led to some published articles and extra dollars.

I love skating though I’m not too great. I ride a longboard when travelling and quite frequently fall off my old-school deck when cruising bowls. Actually, having just picked up my first digital SLR (Nikon D90), I love taking pics of my little brother and friends skating. It’s so much cheaper than using my old Minolta X300.

Currently, I’m putting together a gaming culture street magazine called Super Potato with some journos scattered Australia wide and that’s where I’ve been getting most creative. Sketching, cutting, pasting, inking, ripping, tearing, swearing and taking photographs to create extremely personal articles and works of art has been a liberating experience away from the computer.

Actually, I’ve been working with leather to create some bags, too, which I’d eventually like to market. Of course, time restraints are keeping me from actually making more than my own personal satchel bag, pics of which you can find here.
Sneakers, caps, printed tshirts and hoodies are one of my worst vices. My favourite sneaker style is the New Balance 574 and I have six different pairs. I’m also a sucked for Vans HalfCabs, which are great for skating, though I don’t because I’m afraid to scratch up the suede!

I love colour and I love to be colourful. When I get up in the morning and grab a tshirt, jacket and cap, I feel like I’m slapping on various layers of paint and patterns. During winter, I wonder why so few people wear bright primary colours instead of light pastels or morbid greys, browns and black but then again, I also like to stand out.

Finally, I get frustrated quickly, I often forget what I’m saying, I hate prolonged goodbyes and have a tendency to shut doors in peoples’ faces, I love cider and ginger beer, I have 4 years left on a working VISA for the UK but I’m too complacent to go (I’ve got a good life right now), I love Adelaide but want to live in Melbourne (for a while), my favourite hair cut is a mohawk (adorned regularly), I have a low tolerance for ignorance and thongs, board shorts and singlet tops are the most horrid things in the world.

2. When did you first discover you wanted to be a photographer and artist?
I’ve always enjoyed drawing, painting, taking pictures, acting, singing, playing instruments, etc. but never pursued any of them as a possible career because I didn’t think there’d be a living wage in it.
Now that I’ve completed one Uni degree and worked for two years fulltime, I realise I took a wrong turn. So, back to Uni this year to study Bachelor of Design (Visual Communications). My ultimate goal is to design a limited edition sneaker with a major company such as Nike, New Balance, DC Shoes or Vans.

3. How does being a photographer and artist effect other aspects of your life?
It doesn’t, really. I carry my camera everywhere, which does irritate my girlfriend but then again, she puts up with my gaming so I think she’s learned to adapt, haha. Other than that, I find that if I have something I want to right or sketch but don’t have the necessary materials, time or mindset to actually sit and get it out of my head then I’m unhappy and probably won’t sleep that night.

4. What has been your greatest accomplishment as an artist up to the present date?
As a writer (not an artist), I’ve been published in Escapist Magazine and interviewed some amazing people. As an artist/designer, I guess my greatest accomplishment was realising how easy it was to setup an odd scene in the West Terrace Cemetary to photograph at 4pm in the afternoon, with two models, a television, a beanbag, a pile of 50 PlayStation 1 games, a PlayStation 1 and a bunch of nerves. Considering how easy it is to just photobomb a location, though, I plan on doing some more.

5. How did you discover RedBubble?
Through another artist called Damien Mason. I’m not sure how I stumbled on to him but I saw one of his tshirt designs somewhere, found RedBubble, did some stalking then decided to begin displaying my stuff too. Also, having an account encourages me to actually take, make and polish photographs and art that I’m proud of.

6. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful.
There hasn’t been one yet really because I haven’t began to make a splash and haven’t posted up too many pieces to draw any attention. However, I have found that the vibe of RedBubble is overly positive and welcoming, with a number of people already commenting on my pieces and responding to my criticism.
Once my Uni course has kicked into full gear, I’ve established adequate working space and improved my work, I think I’ll experience one of those moments you’re after. Of course, winning this competition has been quite a highlight, too! Thank you for the opportunity!

7. Tell us which five works and/or artists (either written or artwork) inspire you the most. How did you discover them?
Much of my inspiration comes from street artists and artists with a streetstyle. I love graffiti and contextual art pieces first and foremost. So, I guess I’ll have to start with Invader, a street artist who produces individual pieces made of concrete and tiles, then cements them to walls. You can find his little Space Invaders across the globe.

Alex Pardee has created some amazing pieces of work from spray, acrylic and ink. Also, independent game designer and artist Ed McMullen. When I see their works, I immediately want to pick up a pen and begin blotting to paper the morbid beasts that inhabit my own skull.

French artist, Rolito, has also captured my attention thanks to his creations the Patapon tribe, a bunch of naive little eyeballs with spears and swords and cute little highpitched voices. They were featured in a game of the same name and their designs remind me how effective simple objects and symbols can be used to convey meaning.

I recently visited the Sydney Contemporary Art Museum and saw the sculptures, prints, films and photographs of Yinka Shonibare MBE and they absolutely took my breath away. The vibrant colours, eccentric patterns, lewd poses of the mannequins, ingenuity, and beautifully composed photographs remind me that boundaries can always be smashed.

8. What are your favourite pieces of your own work that you are most proud to show off?
The Jester Bag that was linked to at the beginning of this article, in addition to a few little sketches of a character I call Rocket Mouse who will eventually star in a videogame of the same name when I finally get around to making it.

9. What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you while out taking photos?
Not so much funny, but I went to the launch party for a videogame called de Blob last year and took a whole bunch of film along to capture the lively event. Unfortunately, the piss was free and I was so drunk I forgot to change the ISO setting on my Minolta from 400 to 1600 and underexposed an entire roll of black and white, failing to capture a bunch of images and losing an unexpected income while I was at it. The owners said they needed pictures of the night for publicity and would pay for some of my shots, but unfortunately, they never came out, doh!

10. Where do you hope to be in five years time? Or even this time next year.
In three years, I’ll have completed my Bachelor of Design, established my company, produced a range of tshirts, prettied up some shoes with ambition to create for a leading sneaker company, released a synth pop/geek hop album, written for countless professional gaming outlets and others, met too many interesting people to remember and retained some famous friends, have travelled Internationally, receive over 1000 visitors a day to my blog and be completely satisfied with all aspects of my life, both work and personal.
My life goal, however, is to have performed at least one vert skateboarding trick, such as an Indie or Method grab, then landed it and not broken anything with the whole remarkable feat capture on 1600 black and white, printed A3 size and hung on my wall.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to indulge in vanity! So rarely do people get to experience such a thing. Expect me to enter a few more competitions yet.

Thank you to all bubblers who have spent the time reading and/or scanning the interviews! I know that your time is very much appreciated by both Andre and StolenName, as well as myself. I hope you have a fantastic bubbly day!

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

Well this challenge ended 19 hours ago, according to the image challenge.
hmmm… seems like this is going to be so hard to add up!!

Congrats go to StolenName for having 3 whole votes!!

Thank you to both Tony Gomes and StolenName for entering the Fireworks Writers Challenge.

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

My vote goes to stolen name’s ‘Asleep on the front porch’, a because I have had a few boring new years too, and b because I used to live in Eden Hills too, and c…I remember when you could buy fireworks at the local shop. and it sure was fun.

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

My vote also goes to Sleep and Bang

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

can moderators vote too? I vote for the asleep on the front porch... but both are really good!!

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

Asleep on the front porch,
Headphones clamped firmly over ears,
An eski sits to the left,
It is full of beers.

The party was oh so boring,
I told my girlfriend that I probably wouldn’t come,
She asked for my help,
I slept when setup was done.

All the guests arrived,
Meanwhile I continued with my rest,
I may have been drunk,
I may have drunk too much Coopers Pale with zest.

Sitting in the Adelaide hills,
Opposite the skate park in Eden hills to be exact,
My pleasant and solitary New Years Eve,
Was disturbed.

Fffffffzzzzzshhhhhhhh,
BANG!
Fffffffzzzzzshhhhhhhh,
BANG!

Sparkler bombs on the lawn were set off,
It may have been fire-ban season but these kids had a blast,
All the smoke, the haze, the blinding white light,
I rolled over and turned my back to the grass.

—http://www.redbubble.com/people/stolenname/writing/2400594-sleep-and-bang

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

I heard rumors
there’s going to be a new year
my heart starting beating rapidly
I thought I better get ready to celebrate
people running down the streets corridors
emotions running high
I ask whats all the commotion
they say look up to the skies
people chanting the countdown
...8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 HAPPY NEW YEAR
pop the champagne
clap your hands together
or kiss the nearest person
skies glimmering with fireworks of all colors
reason of celebration
for its a brand-new year
murmur of new years around and round
(happy new year to you too)
HAPPY NEW YEAR
filled with hope of prosperity and happiness
this new year got me feeling the blues
and thinking the hews
spent we the ones we love most
and with new acquaintances we meet throughout
whatever you are
and whomever you with
its time to celebrate
its a new year
new goals to achieve
we start very active
what is it about new year?
its everything new
new life new day new hope a new year
new faces we welcome in life
even new problems new ambition
and the new ways we approach them
new beginning
its time recycling itself
comes every once in a year
each one once in a lifetime
reason why we try to make,
the best of each new year
resolution we make
follow by accomplishments
the success we savor
the seeds we plant in the beginning
benefits we reap at the ends tie
and the satisfaction felt
every reason to celebrate
we celebrate life
given upon from above
every new year is an historic one
the sun shine brighter on the new year
the new moon filled forever bigger
I bet the angels too celebrate
GOD I LOVE NEW YEAR
now I wish you the same
HAPPY NEW YEAR
filled with prosperity happiness and peace to all
we wait anxiously to celebrate a prosper new year
might GOD bless.

Topic: Challenges / Fireworks Challenge 2009

In a bid to include writers in the New Year Challenge, I’m encouraging you all to write a poem or story and submit it here.

Please make sure the writing is about New Year, fireworks, sparklers or poppers. Or even about how we’re bringing the New Year in with a Bang!!! Whatever you like, as long as it’s related to the challenge subject.

To enter the challenge, please post your stories or poetry here in the forum with or without a link to the original page in your profile.

At the end of the submission time, please come back here to the forum and choose which piece of writing you like the best.

The glorious prize will be an interview and the stardom of being featured in our Adelaide Group. The winners are the ones with most votes from each of the challenges (writing and images).

Topic: Challenges / Calendar Challenge

I accept it but feel I had a different understanding of the purpose – not the best photographers according to our group but to show off the best of what is south australian. I personally think the redbubble team should have voted on this one and not the group members.