1.Hi Ralph, Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m the dad of two darling daughters that are my life and inspiration. I was a Mr Mum when it wasn’t in fashion (early 90s) and as a result, my girls and i are pretty close. I’ve been seperated from their mother for almost 6 years and we now have equal care of the girls (week about). In the 90s we traveled a fair bit as the girls’ mother was in the Army so we spent time in Sydney, Canberra, Toowoomba and Darwin (love it still) before arriving in Albury-Wodonga in 2003. In the 90s i didn’t do a great deal with photography – even though i had started photographing surfers and the whole surf culture from the 70s through the 80s. It wasn’t until we arrived in Albury that i started photography back up again (film). I guess the decade from 1993-2003 was all about being a parent and i couldn’t afford to be selfish with my time then.

As it stands now, i have a wonderful and very supportive partner who lives in Melbourne and on and off for the past 3 years we have tried to keep the relationship moving along. She has a young son who will either be some flashy footballer for Carlton or a comedian ( perhaps both!) BTW – it’s Veronica’s D700 that i am currently using to take the pics of lake Hume! So credit where credit is due!!!

I work for a not-for-profit organisation that supports homeless people in our community, and it is here that – amongst other areas of work – i teach photography to disadvantaged young kids (14-17 year olds). Despite the challenges, it’s a blast to be able to teach a skill or craft to someone else – to help them explore the wonders of photography as an art form and watch as they develop their own style. Any post prodcution work for the course is carried out between the kids and Justin Dallinger and the staff of Camera House Albury. I haven’t a clue LOL!!!
That’s about it:)

2. Where did you learn to be such an amazing photographer?

Ha! Not sure about the ‘amazing photographer’ bit:) And no, self-confidence is not an area i have troubles with…just being realistic! People such as Richard White from Mansfield or Ken Duncan are amazing photographers – i just happen to be lucky!

I guess travel opened my eyes to how beautiful Australia is. How rich and diverse the landscapes are. How our coastlines and rivers are so distinct – and i have seen a few of these:) Anyway, by the time the kids came along i had a self-enforced lay off from photography. It wasn’t until i did a course with Richard White at Mansfield that my love for photography started back up again. Without doubt, this was the most influential moment in my life in terms of photography. Richard’s skills are Mono Landscapes and in film. He taught me the importance of light and dark…of seeing things in a scene as a whole and then breaking the whole up into smaller portions. He taught me that light can be a friend or an enemy of the photographer and how landscapes without a central focus point are dull and boring. He taught me about really looking and seeing a scene – yes, visualisation! About how one needs to truly know a place to capture its beauty..sure, we can pass by places at the right time and with the right light and be fortunate enough to get a few good shots in. But i am not sure that this captures the true beauty of a place over time. This is why i go back to Lake Hume so often because i have yet to catch it at its best.

3. What got you interested in photography?

I started photography in the 70s – actually, it was my Dad who got me into it. He bought me a surfboard one Christmas, realised i was hopeless, and then a camera next christmas. I was 14! I always loved photography – especially film ( i now rue a decision to ditch a couple of Nikon f100s i had). I love that photography can be so absolutely personal. We can take pics for only our eyes or for the world to see and the decision rests solely with us. I love that we can freeze a moment of time and reflect back on that moment years later and laugh or cry.

Anyway, i think much of the time spent photographing people and places in the 70s revolved around the lifestyle of the era. In the 70s i lived in Newcastle NSW, and Crescent Heads on the mid-north coast of NSW. These were places where the surfing culture predominated. Where the beaches of Newcastle sat in contrast to the steelworks of BHP. Where being a young male meant either working as an apprentice sheetmetal worker at Goninans (fabricators), or in the blast furnace at BHP or up in the colleries of the Hunter Valley. Not for me. I traveled and bummed off the dole.

4. What motivates you?

Honestly? I guess i am like a few others – i want to get a shot that speaks without the need for words to explain it. I am motivated by capturing the rawness and beauty of my part of Australia. I want to please people with my photography. Make them happy to see that shot too:) Experience my part of this planet:)

5. Who are your favorite Redbubble photographers?

Jeez this is hard. I don’t want to offend anyone by leaving them out!!! Anyway, i love the work of Chris Whitney and Michael Walters. Of Stephanie Wood and Cynthia Adams. And yes, i do love Veronica’s work. She works hard to get her photography skills up and her perserverance and dedication will be rewarded one day:)
But speaking frankly, i DO love the diversity that one finds at RB. Some art is so overwhelmingly beautiful that i could only dream of being so talented… so rather than speak volumes for a few, i would rather shout aloud about the works of many on RB:)

6. Are there any photographers who aren’t on Redbubble who inspire you?

Richard White, Ken Duncan, William Klein ( love his ability to break the rules and not give a stuff:) ) My top three:)

7. What can you tell us about your lighting/and/or reflection techniques?

Simple. I use light to show me where the shadows are. Years ago i did a drawing class – pencil. It was there that i learned about using the white paper as a way of highlighting the dark areas of a drawing. For example, drawing only the dark side of a tree and using the white paper to reflect light. I do the same now. I squint my eyes to find where the shadows are..where the light touches a scene. Then i plan for that shot. What lens, metering, composition, what cokin filters to use, where to stand etc…It might take a few minutes but soon it becomes an unconscious act. Sometimes i can see where i wil shoot a scene as i am driving down to the Lake. I can see where the water is sheltered from wind and at its smoothest. For example, the recent shots of the Lake are all in one area…that’s because with the way the water levels are at the moment, this is the only spot i can get reasonably close to the trees – some of which are my main focus point.So i look for the relationship between light and dark; i look for still water ; and a focus point.

8. What are your photographic goals?
I want to move back to film one day. Not sure how realistic that is, but i want to take film shots and develop again.

9. Anything else you want to share?

No, not really. Just thanks for the opportunity to have a chat:)

10. Thanks Ralph. I encourage everyone can check out Ralph’s wonderful works here

What a great interview! Thank you to Neil for choosing Ralph… who is by the way… one of my fav photographers on RB! It’s really nice to get a sense of the person behind the work. And a big Thank you to Ralph for sharing… : )

teehee ralph glad to help out..LOL ... seriously I love your work and am delighted to see you honoured in this way and get to know you better

cheers
maggie
:))

Hey Ralph….. you know that I am your biggest fan,,,,,,,,,and you have shared a tad here and there with me on you personal journey,,, this interview is a wonderful credit to you, and to Neil…... your knowledge of light , dark and shadow is a gift,,,,,, and I am learnign so much from you..
thanks for always commenting, giving advice,,,, postive reinforcement…....

I am sure that your kids feel the way I do,,, you really care,,,,, and it shows in your work…..
I am off to check out White and Duncan
...

tata
L

Hey, thanks very much Linda and Carolyn:) – no probs Linda, though i suspect you already knew stacks before i came along:) Richard White’s work is pretty awesome to view – he’s a lucky fella, he lives in mansfield and shoots the the Vic Alps:)

Congrats Ralph. Super interview with you and Neil. You know that I’ve been a fan of your work for ages. Well done indeed. Cheers Elana.

Thank you both for taking the time to put this great interview together!

Awesome interview Neil, very compelling to read about another photographer, especially one as skilled as yourself Ralph.