My Brother-in-Law's Wedding

Who says toy cameras can't be used to photograph weddings?

I'm in love with the unconventional idea of using plastic for documentary purposes, so made sure I had a stash in a rather big bag at my brother-in-law's marriage to the delightful Kirrily in March last year.

It was a day of sunshine, champagne and smoked salmon — plus tiers of cupcakes covered in thick icing and lollies. There was even a bouncy castle and someone swirling fairy floss onto sticks.

Sigh ... my inner child was in happy land!

HIY 2009

A little farmyard/rural triptych for "HIY 2009". Do I have a wicked sense of humour or what?

Now in it's second year, "HIY" (or "hang it yourself") is a street-wise exhibition concept at Photoaccess in Manuka. Basically, photographers are given free reign to stick up to five images anywhere on the gallery's walls, with only two rules: images must be unframed and no wider than 42 centimetres.

The result is naturally going to be chaotic, a spaghetti-like explosion of styles, subjects and skills. I'm told 130 images will go on display, which, given the maximum width rule, makes about five and a half kilometres of art!

With so many photographers on show, the opening tomorrow is going to be mad ... there's nothing like the party atmosphere of a group exhibition. So if you're in Canberra, please feel free to join us for a glass of bubbles.

Where: Photoaccess (cnr Manuka Circle and New South Wales Crescent)
When: 2:30pm, Saturday 5 September

"HIY 2009" runs until 20 September.

Self-Portrait: Tattoo

I have a habit of tackling huge concepts and this self-portrait, comprised of 24 photographs, is no exception.

Needless to say, stitching these together in Photoshop was time-consuming, yet very rewarding ... I'm now an expert in using the "eraser tool" to blend and create scratched textures, as you can see in the close-ups below!

The result is quite frightening: it's like a tattoo, but also like the skin has been peeled from my face to reveal the muscular workings beneath. Both tell the story of my photographic interests, of Christian iconography, gender issues and rural motifs.