sharyn-with-a-y

New Blog

2007-03-22T14:40:00.000+12:00

Hey. I'm setting up a new blog using Wordpress. It's been a bit of a mission but I have the start of something happening and all my old posts loaded. Check it out and let me know what you think. It's still in progress so has the url www.sharynjones.com/wordpress.

Big Film

2007-03-20T10:11:00.000+12:00

Must shoot more 4x5 (big film for those who don't know). Terribly slow and expensive but fun...

Toronto

2007-03-19T10:55:00.000+12:00

A relic from the past.

Kokako

2007-03-15T09:25:00.000+13:00

This is a shot I did several years ago but was never scanned. It was on a white background and all the shots I did for the rest of the series were on black. I've added the black in. I often look back on my work and think, ah, I was so young and inexperienced then. But occasionally I find a shot and think "wow, I really did know what I was doing".

My Other Grandparents

2007-03-14T09:36:00.000+13:00

Weekend

2007-03-11T20:31:00.000+13:00

I think Bree had a good weekend. She went to the park twice and got a bone and a whole egg. She chased a cat up a tree and hung out at our friends house. She's had three sessions of agility training (to learn the weaves). She's one happy dog.

Hotel Wins Best Marketing at the Fringe

2007-03-08T11:06:00.000+13:00

If you didn't get to see the theatre experience Hotel at the Fringe then you missed out. They were awarded best Theatre and best Overall at the Fringe awards and were also awarded the best Marketing! That's thanks to Neogine and moi I guess. Hopefully they well be touring soon and we'll have a chance to catch the show again. Congrats guys.

Nana & Grandad

2007-03-07T10:42:00.000+13:00

Red Puppy Appeal

2007-03-06T10:16:00.000+13:00

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of photographing these two lovely golden labrador puppies. I was thankful that I had already had Bree (my no longer imaginary border collie) because these two were among the cutest puppies I have ever seen and I might just have taken off with one of them. They gave romping a new meaning and they were fairly uncontrollable at these early stages. That's why they need training and if you've ever tried to teach Rex to sit and stay you'll know how hard it is and how much training it takes. The Red Puppy Appeal has been set up to support training these puppies. Please visit their site and give power to the puppies!

Queenstown

2007-03-01T13:37:00.000+13:00

The Assistant II

2007-02-28T13:10:00.000+13:00

I've just anonymously received this lovely take on The Assistant in my Inbox. Really accentuates his cheekbones. A little more work could have been done to merge the hair, but we'll assume this was an amateur job.

Lippy

2007-02-27T08:36:00.000+13:00

Ah yes, Jodi, that makes all the difference. I've gone for a nice rich terracotta red which gets toned down a little in blogger. See Jodi's comment here.

Trilogy 3 - Final offering

2007-02-23T11:21:00.000+13:00

Thoughts, anyone, anyone at all....

Trilogy 2

2007-02-22T09:12:00.000+13:00

Playing with composition. I get the feeling that this image just doesn't quite work. A good photography friend of mine said the brush needed to move out and the bowls further away. It's missing something... but what.

In Print - 99 Silhouettes

2007-02-21T09:07:00.000+13:00

I'm going to be in a book. Well not me but one of my photos. Debut Publications accepted one of my submissions to their Silhouettes theme. You can order the book from Amazon UK or from Debut Pulications online.

Fern

2007-02-20T08:37:00.000+13:00

We have a nice garden at home, a lovely, green ok garden but I want it to be better. I want it lush and green and glossy and, well, I guess I want it to be great. There I go again...

Still Cruising

2007-02-19T09:20:00.000+13:00

I've been sick. And there's nothing worse than being sick and having loads on. So I'm sick and depressed. I missed out on a good friend's leaving do, a friend's exhibition opening, a good paying job, agility with my dog, catching up with my other friend who is up from Dunedin, and more. Sorry guys. I'm better now.

Cruise Liner

2007-02-13T10:04:00.000+13:00

I got to photograph on a cruise liner yesterday -- only I didn't get to cruise anywhere. The ship was big and grand and a little tacky in a dolphin fountain kind of way.

The Assistant

2007-02-09T10:33:00.000+13:00

Seems like retouching is all the rage so I thought I'd give it a go. I followed the instructions from RetouchPRO here and got a really nice result. I didn't add back in the original skin texture just to take it a bit further than needed. I'm amazed how much like doing make up it is. You add the highlights and shadows to enhance the cheeks etc. If you want, I can retouch your photo too. Send it my way.

Watermellon

2007-02-09T09:24:00.000+13:00

Swimming Hole

2007-02-08T10:02:00.000+13:00

I'm thinking of doing a photographic project on swimming holes. Perhaps because it is so hot at the moment and all I can think of doing is sinking into a lovely deep cool sink of water. Do you have a favourite swimming hole? Tell me tell me where? This one is in Upper Hutt -- the Akatawara's really.

You, Me, Bree

2007-02-07T08:54:00.000+13:00

=family

Trilogy

2007-02-02T13:24:00.000+13:00

Good, Ok, Great, Greatness

2007-01-30T22:13:00.000+13:00

Lately, and by lately I mean within the last 5 hours, I've been thinking about Greatness. It's ok being ok, but what does it take to be great. So I googled it -- what I do when I want to know more about something. I found this CNN articl e.

What's interesting is that they say that greatness isn't something you are born with but something that you must work damn hard for. Apparently it's good to have deliberate practice, where you measure your progress and get feedback. Setting goals is good, and it's all hard work otherwise we'd all be great.

That leaves me feeling positive. It's nice to know that you don't have to search for what you are good at but that you can work at being great at whatever you set your mind to.

Andy

2007-01-30T10:03:00.000+13:00

There is something very odd about digital in that it takes the mood away from a shot. This river was wonderful and dark and green and I thought it would make a great background, but with my digital camera it just came out flat and dull and grey. Then it's back to square one on the computer to make it something different, old, and with more feeling. It takes me ages to get the subtle change that I'm after. I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with this yet.

Tail

2007-01-29T09:42:00.000+13:00

It's a little to early to let you in on what I took photos of last week. Still a little confidential. But, I can't resist a little teaser.

Approaches Exhibition Review

2007-01-28T11:47:00.000+13:00

The latest New Zealand Journal of Photography ( #62) has a review of the Approaches show that I exhibited my House/Suburbia series in. Peter Ireland wrote "Sharyn Jones' five photographs hang confidenty together" and that they were a "productive reflection on her approach to the notion of landscape. Indeed, it is a rewarding reflection, her often twilight domestic vignettes suggesting perhaps how much "landscape" may now be performing as ad-breaks to the programme of Postmodern daily living." Choice.

Friday's Photographer 26.1.07

2007-01-26T14:07:00.000+13:00

Julia Fullerton-Batten has an impressive list of awards and a very unique style.

Bees

2007-01-26T10:19:00.000+13:00

Ok, a little competition. First person to tell me what these flowers are will win themselves a free cup of coffee -- I'll even take you out somewhere nice. And if you're not in Wellington then I'll have to come and see you when I next travel the country or you will have to visit me here.

The Loft

2007-01-24T09:57:00.000+13:00

We re-lined and painted our loft before Christmas. It was our first real go at renovating. Fun, but stressful. We were pleased with the result though, and its a nice chance to clean out everything from a room and put back what you like.

The Boys

2007-01-23T11:42:00.000+13:00

Friday's Photographer 19.1.07

2007-01-19T13:05:00.000+13:00

There is something dreamy and quiet about the landscapes of William Huber. I love the simple website too. Enjoy.

Mmmmmmmm

2007-01-17T13:16:00.000+13:00

Soccer

2007-01-16T09:24:00.000+13:00

Summer Food

2007-01-10T09:33:00.000+13:00

The standard kiwi summer food.

New Blog Address

2007-01-10T09:31:00.000+13:00

You can now reach my blog via the url www.sharynwithay.co.nz

'Aint that cool.

Wellington from Wright's Hill

2007-01-09T11:19:00.000+13:00

I was commissioned before Christmas to take a photo of Wellington for my friend who has now moved to Dunedin. It was a real challenge, for various reasons. Here's the result.

Yes that's my work

2006-12-20T13:28:00.000+13:00

Not many posts lately -- sorry for that. But that's because I have been busy busy. One of the more fun jobs I've had lately was to photograph a hotel room for a new play that will be showing during the film festival called "Hotel". Check out their website at www.site-specific.co.nz Looks like it will be a very fun play -- all set and acted in a hotel room.

Rose

2006-11-29T11:01:00.000+13:00

Oh, ok. Here is one of the "whole" head :) She's so cute.

Yes I have more photos

2006-11-27T13:59:00.000+13:00

Yes, of course I have more photos. So sorry. Yes, been a bit preoccupied lately.

AH, here's a lighter note. Took some photos of my niece on the weekend. What a sweety. Took all the usual ones, but this one struck me as kinda different. There's something unusual about it but also very accurate. It wasn't composed really. Just shot looking up with too close a lens. The colours are also lovely and soft.

O

2006-10-12T10:03:00.000+13:00

I just read something and it made me sob uncontrollably. That's never happenend to me before. Have you ever had that? It wasn't a nice feeling.

Grandad's Photos - Ireland

2006-09-25T13:57:00.000+12:00

File Magazine

2006-09-21T09:13:00.000+12:00

My swimming pool photos feature in the online photography magazine "File". Very cool. They say "File presents" which sounds so official and grand. Check them out here. Thanks File mag.

Grandad's Photos - Stonehenge

2006-09-06T15:44:00.000+12:00

I like this shot of Stonehenge because it's so non-typical and shows a little of the era it was taken in. I bet there is not barbed wire fence like this around the stones anymore and I'm sure the crowds of people would be greater.

My Grandad's Photos

2006-09-05T08:35:00.000+12:00

My Grandad, who I never met, took a trip to the Continent in the 1940's or 50's (I forget now when but I'm sure my mum and dad will let me know). He took some lovely photos which my dad showed me when I visited there in the weekend. I thought I'd scan some and post them. This one is of Wellington (I think) on his return.

My Dad

2006-09-01T16:26:00.000+12:00

Back when smoking was cool...

Blog about my dog

2006-08-22T17:13:00.000+12:00

If I'm not careful this could turn into a blog about my dog so I will try to take it easy on the dog photos, but this one I just couldn't resist. She is so cute.

Bree

2006-07-12T09:37:00.000+12:00

For a long time it has been just Grant and me and now there is three. Bree is the new addition to our family and to the studio. Likes: chasing the birds in our backyard, playing with other dogs, going for rides in the car, sniffing out trouble, learning tricks. Dislikes: men over 50!, strange places, going out when it is teaming (a light sprinkle is ok), having to sleep all day.

Shadows

2006-06-30T10:32:00.000+12:00

New House Photos

2006-06-30T10:03:00.000+12:00

Some Good News

2006-06-21T09:30:00.000+12:00

I'm excited to report that two of my photos have been awarded Honorable Mention for an international competition I entered. The competion was Turning Silver - by Women in Photography. You can view the photos here Scroll down to find my name. Note that they have spelt my name wrong. Hence sharyn-with-a-y not sharon-with-an-o! *sigh*

Finally, some more photos

2006-06-13T13:43:00.000+12:00

Finally got a chance to take some more photos last week. I left work early to take photos. Strange though how it felt like I was skiving off work, but really this was work!

I'm off to take some photos. Enjoy the cup.

2006-06-09T14:59:00.000+12:00

Friday's Photographer 26.5.06

2006-05-26T11:37:00.000+12:00

I love it when a photo is beautiful. A photo can be shocking, awe inspiring, interesting and different, but I like it when a photo is beautiful. I want to create more beautiful photos. And that's why I like Andrea Fazzari's photos. They are beautiful.

In a house that we stayed in

2006-05-22T11:46:00.000+12:00

Airport

2006-05-09T09:32:00.000+12:00

I might be getting on a plane again soon. Doing the odd bit of travel for work. Sometimes I miss travel, but most times not.

Work and Golf

2006-05-08T10:42:00.000+12:00

CameraTruck

2006-05-05T10:52:00.000+12:00

Now this is cool.

Vote for your favourite Photo Blog sites

2006-05-04T08:30:00.000+12:00

Nominations for the 2006 Photobloggies have opened. Vote for your favourites by clicking on the image above.

Sunshine Moonlight Boogie

2006-05-04T08:17:00.000+12:00

Just a test shot of a sunflower for a current client. I'm doing 5 still life shots which I'm really looking forward to. This was from a bit of an exploration yesterday. A stretching of the photography muscles I called it. It's not suitable for the client so I thought I'd post it here.

Bottle

2006-05-03T10:04:00.000+12:00

Friday's Photographer 1.5.06

2006-05-01T08:53:00.000+12:00

Sheila Pree Bright has just won the Santa Fee Prize for Photography for her work titled "Suburbia". She is a fine art photographer who studies middle class African American life. A lovely collection of images.

Real Photography

2006-04-27T08:51:00.000+12:00

By popular request (well, one person who said it would be good) I am posting the original photo so you can see the difference.

Fake Model Photography

2006-04-26T10:27:00.000+12:00

This is a neat little trick to make your photos look like minitures. I learnt this from this website. Thought I would try it out on one of my photos from Paris. Cool eh.

Running a Marathon

2006-04-21T10:16:00.000+12:00

I've been thinking about running a marathon.

I'm not sure what's triggered my enthusiasm so suddenly. I get fanatical about these things and often don't end up going through with the plan. I've often thought about doing a marathon but never actually been keen. Now I suddenly seem keen. Perhaps its doing consulting again and remembering how much I used to run then. Perhaps its because I haven't run much lately and I've forgotten how hard it can be.

Whatever the reason, I'm hyped and it seems like an achievable aim right now, sitting on my new chair in my office! I'm off to do some 800m repeats at the track tonight to see how bad I really am. If you want to join me for some runs then let me know... I'll be needing some running partners.

Computer Recycling

2006-04-12T10:53:00.000+12:00

Ok. A little off topic but when you see a good idea you just want to tell people about it. Just discovered this site with links and advice on recycling your computer. We have an old 19" CRT monitor here that doesn't go and wants a home but we don't really know how to get rid of it other than taking it to the tip. Well, now our problems are solved. There are a couple of places in Wellington that recycle computers. Dell computers have started a recycling program and your computer doesn't even have to be a Dell. Suddenly I feel like having a clean out!

Sometimes you try...

2006-04-11T17:39:00.000+12:00

.. and fail. Ok so I didn't keep my commitment to shoot a roll of film in my half frame. And looking thru my hard drive I see that I'm running short of images to post. It's not that I don't have images but it's always nice to have fresh images. So, as a last resort I'm posting this little ditty of design that I mocked up for a fellow photographer. This took me ages and because I know nothing of design it was difficult and I really struggled to get something I liked. The only requirement was to have the writing following curves.

Friday's Photographer 31.03.06

2006-03-31T08:29:00.000+12:00

Just stummbled upon Sonja Mueller's photography site. I'm not sure I like her photography style that much, although it's hard to fault and she obviously has some top end clients, but this website is very cool. Has an interesting navigation and cute sounds.

Data Sort

2006-03-30T09:26:00.000+12:00

Since I've taken on some consulting work, my photography work has also gotten busy. I'm managing the workload but it's starting to get stressful.

A couple of nights ago I half awoke and became aware of the process my mind goes through at night when trying to organise the days events. The filing process if you will. When I awoke I was attempting to mathematically arrange the wine bottles that I have to photograph. I'm not sure if this is possible but I was struggling to do it in the middle of the night. I guess it means that my brain is trying to come to terms with doing two different jobs at one. Hopefully this won't happen when I'm awake and all will be fine. But if I start talking lighting on a conference call regarding the consulting then I might have a few problems!

Half Frame - Wright's Hill

2006-03-29T08:08:00.000+12:00

I think I'm going to have to make a commitment to keep this blog rolling. Despite being very busy doing two jobs at once and now learning that my car has had a wee accident, this weekend I'm going to take my half frame camera out for a bit of a stretch of the legs. Hopefully its 72 frames will make for some interesting posts in the week to come. So hang in there if you were about to abandon my site due to lack of updates! Meanwhile, enjoy this image pair that I took in 2003 while freezing to death at the top of Wright's Hill.

Friday's Photographer 24.03.06

2006-03-24T09:09:00.000+12:00

This Friday's Photographer, Tom Fowlks, has just been named one of pdn magazine's new talent to watch. Of course I was instantly attracted to his site when I saw he had photos of swimming pools! His landscape photography reminds me of my trip around the West coast of America. Ah, there I go reminiscing about traveling again.

Cruisn'

2006-03-24T08:20:00.000+12:00

Sorry for the infrequent posts guys. Been having a bit of trouble getting photos to upload. Plus I don't have much new work because I have been busy with other work and taking photos for other people. This is one of them. I won't name the client but if you are a kiwi you can probably work it out. Keep in mind that this was taken just two weeks ago. Look at that blue sky!

Travelling

2006-03-21T08:41:00.000+12:00

I miss travelling. Its been nearly a year since Grant and I took off on our trip to Europe. This photo was taken in Cardiff where the sunset seemed to last for ages.

House as a Home

2006-03-17T09:19:00.000+13:00

This shot I really like. I thought it was a bit fuzzy but I think it might hold together ok. I like the way there is a chimney and an aerial and the dual windows with the light on. I don't consciously remember taking or framing this shot. I think this is why I am enjoying this project so much. I've just gone out and taken photos of what moves me at the time and not tried to do anything conscious at all.

Drug Test Dummy Update

2006-03-16T08:43:00.000+13:00

Looks like I might have failed as a drug test dummy. 2 weeks on the drug and my heart rate is up. 4 ECG's later they concluded that there isn't really anything wrong with me, just a high heart rate. I'm in standby mode until they work out what to do with me.

Call Me Loyal

2006-03-15T09:20:00.000+13:00

Heard Dave Dobbyn singing "Call me Loyal" to the commonwealth Games athletes this morning and it gave me goosebumps on my skin. I'm not sure why. Do you think this song has become our second national anthem?

You too can be creative; it just takes hard work

2006-03-14T18:05:00.000+13:00

You too can be creative; it just takes hard work. An interesting article on creativity.

House That Glows

2006-03-14T09:04:00.000+13:00

So I've been wondering lately. Can one do a right brain and a left brain job at the same time? Does one brain task help the other brain task or do they conflict? Is this any different from having a technical job and a creative hobby?

Suburbia

2006-03-13T07:56:00.000+13:00

I've just spent a night away from home and while it was a nice trip when I arrived back in Wellington I thought how lovely it was to be home.

Suburbia - Dual Post

2006-03-10T11:44:00.000+13:00

I really like this shot. Just scanned it in so thought I would post it since I won't be able to post a photo tomorrow because I have a photo job on!! Yeah. So exciting.

Friday's Photographer 10.03.06 - Todd Hido

2006-03-10T09:48:00.000+13:00

Todd Hido is inspiration for my Suburbia series. I haven't been conscious of it but I looked at his work a while back and thought it was beautiful. His houses at night work is stunning.

Suburbia

2006-03-10T09:17:00.000+13:00

Another lead in to the Suburbia series.

House Series 7

2006-03-09T09:39:00.000+13:00

House Series 6

2006-03-08T10:31:00.000+13:00

Sorry for the delay on the new house series. The next few will be from my recent trip to Taupo. This is the house that we stay in while in Taupo. Ah I can hear the sound of the lake right now.

Winning Isn't Everything - International Photography Awards

2006-03-06T16:03:00.000+13:00

Ok. So these awards are the best of the best. The top prize is $US10,000 so you better send in your absolutely bestest photo to this one. The great thing about this competition is that it has both an amateur and professional catergory. Plus there are loads and loads of catergories. Entry isn't cheap but winning one of these is the photo equivalent of winning an Oscar. Good Luck!

Steve's Birthday

2006-03-05T21:57:00.000+13:00

It's my big bro's birthday today. Happy B'day Steve. Here's Steve and me at his house in Cardiff.

Ironman

2006-03-04T17:26:00.000+13:00

It's Ironman day. This is Grant at Ironman last year. He didn't do the race this year but we have been watching and supporting. Unfortunately the swim was cancelled this morning and the race was shortened to a 90km bike and half marathon run which is half the bike and run distances. We are very glad that Grant didn't choose this year to race as it would have been a real disappointment.

Friday's Photographer 3-3-06

2006-03-03T09:22:00.000+13:00

Polly Chandler's photographs are unusual, strange and beautiful. A lot of her work is 4x5 b&w pos/neg film. Great inspiration for Turning Silver WIPI competition.

House Series 5

2006-03-03T09:20:00.000+13:00

The final in the series for this week. More to come next week once I get the film developed. This one is my favorite.

House Series 4

2006-03-02T21:46:00.000+13:00

Moving away from the white...

House Series 3

2006-03-01T21:16:00.000+13:00

Number 3. The woman from this house came out and gave me a very dirty look after I took this shot. I smiled and walked on but wondered why it was such a rude act to take a photo of someone's house. Sure, if you shove a camera in someone's face and shoot I could see how that would be rude but to take a photo of someone's house seems pretty harmless to me.

House Series 2

2006-02-28T21:24:00.000+13:00

The last commentor had it right. I'm definitely portraying the white picket fence suburbia. I haven't done this conciously, it's just happened. I think I have romantic notions about what a house and home is. The reality is often quite different of course.

House Series 1

2006-02-27T12:38:00.000+13:00

This week I'll be posting 5 shots from my Suburbia/House project that I took last week. All a bit experimental. Would love to hear your thoughts. Here's the first. I didn't like this from the print, but once scanned I thought it held some promise.

What to Shoot with Tungsten Film?

2006-02-26T13:52:00.000+13:00

I've just been sorting through the box of free out of date film that I recently scored from another photographer. It's a great discovery process. When I first got the box - about shoebox size - I had a sift through and then dumped it all back in. I've been grabing film now and then for the odd thing but thought I should see how much of each type of film I have.

There is a great variety and there is 15 rolls of 120 tungsten film (Ektachrome 160T if you must know). Anyone have any ideas on what I could shoot with this? Something that would suit the blue cast that occurs when you shoot in daylight maybe? I can't use this for anything commercial since it is all out of date and I'm unsure of whether this would have affected the film. I'm keen to use it somehow and create a project out of it. Any ideas out there?

Lazy Days Spent Playing Golf

2006-02-25T12:53:00.000+13:00

Golf. What can I say. One of the more difficult and challenging games I have played. Fun on a beautiful afternoon like this one. Hopefully be playing some more golf this week.

Winning Isn't Everything - Turning Silver

2006-02-24T10:01:00.000+13:00

I've been compiling a list of competitions that photographers can enter. I've been posting them to the AIPA website but figured it would add another dimension to this space.

First competition is one for the girls. Turning Silver is a competition being run by Women In Photography International. They are celebrating turning 25 and are running a competition for 100 winning b&w photos. Deadline is Monday 1 May 2006. Good luck.

Friday's Photographer 24.02.06

2006-02-24T09:52:00.000+13:00

Love the photography of David Bowman, especially his "end of land" series.

Wheat Field

2006-02-24T09:48:00.000+13:00

I have this photo on 120 film and on polaroid. For some reason I've always liked the film version better and for some reason today I decided I like the polaroid version better.

Blue Bus

2006-02-23T09:26:00.000+13:00

What can I say. It's a blue bus.

Behind Glass - Victoria Birkinshaw

2006-02-22T08:43:00.000+13:00

A new section where I shamelessly plug a fellow photographer who is exhibiting in Wellington. First up is Victoria Birkinshaw. I went to her opening of Bunny Chasers at the Mary Newton Gallery last night.

Victoria's photographs have a realness about them that is hard to resist. Her work is raw and unpretentious in a time when retouching and making photos perfect is becoming more popular. She tackles those projects that you wish you had thought of first -- the speedway, the circus, state houses and now greyhound racing. With an eye for what's quirky her square format photos are delightful and unusual.

If you are in Wellington then be sure to visit the gallery or check out more of Vic's work at www.victoriabirkinshaw.com