Page 4 - Capture Nov-Jan 2021

editorial
ABOVE: Kai Wild, 35, arborist and wildlife rescuer, works to rescue a malnourished koala in the aftermath of the bushfires on 6 February, 2020 on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
The Queen was right
But her comment came 28 years too early. Back in 1992, in a speech she referred to the year as “annus horribilis”, a Latin phrase meaning horrible year. Among the horrors of the year she was no doubt alluding to included the toe-sucking scandal involving Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Toe-sucking scandal? Bring it on, I say! More than happy to weather that storm. Instead, we got COVID-19! And the bushfires from Hell! This year has truly been an annus horribilis.
As if professional photographers didn’t already have enough to keep themselves occupied trying to run a business in an ever-increasing competitive and saturated market, the impact of the pandemic has been significant for many – financially, creatively, and mentally. But photographers are a
hardy, determined, and resilient group of creatives. The evolving market and technology over the last 10-15 years have ensured that.
Depending on your area of specialisation, the impact of lockdown would have varied to some degree. This time last year, literally nobody could have predicted the coming disaster that would be COVID-19, except for all the virologists. Around the country, it’s fair to conclude that wedding and portrait photographers in metropolitan Melbourne have suffered the most, living and somehow being expected to maintain a business over the course of almost four months of lockdown! How you guys in Melbourne managed to get through this is a testament to your grit. As I write this, the severest restrictions of the 112-day lockdown have just been lifted. Let’s hope they don’t have to be reimposed.
Many wedding and portrait photographers discovered the power of Zoom, whether to reconnect with past or recent clients, for the purposes of sales meetings, or to take or conduct mentoring or workshop sessions. Many were also ready to quit the industry, but instead they dug in, and dug in deep, choosing to focus on creative and innovative ways to somehow keep their cashflow positive, or at least neutral, and to also take the time to focus on their business and processes, and seek out ways to improve certain aspects of their operation.
While the majority of wedding photographers were finding that all their weddings were either cancelled or postponed until 2021, likewise many advertising photographers didn’t pick up a camera for a commissioned job until well into the second half of the year. With restrictions lifting, now is no time for complacency. And given what so many have just been through, they’re certainly better prepared should a similar situation transpire.
One thing that hasn’t disappointed this year with the compilation of The Annual is the impressive number of submissions received – over 2,300 images. The quality, as usual, was tremendously high, and always makes the task just shy of impossible. There were countless other images that deserved inclusion, but the limitations of space simply didn’t allow for it. For those of you who made submissions, thank you and keep up the excellent work! Now, sit back, relax, grab a cup of tea, or something stronger, and enjoy The Annual!
Marc Gafen – Editor
marcgafen@yaffa.com.au
Incorporating Commercial Photography. Established in 1963 as Industrial & Commercial Photography.
Editor
Marc Gafen marcgafen@yaffa.com.au
Contributors
Sam Edmonds Marc Gafen Candide McDonald (and all featured photographers).
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National Sales Manager Jodie Reid
Ph: (02) 9213 8261 jodiereid@yaffa.com.au
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Capture is published by Yaffa Media Pty Ltd. ABN 54 002 699 354 17-21 Bellevue Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Ph: (02) 9281 2333 Fax: (02) 9281 2750
Yaffa also publishes
Australian Photography
australianphotography.com
Publisher
James Ostinga
Marketing Manager
Lucy Yaffa
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Matthew Gunn
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Ana Maria Heraud
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Lauren Esdaile
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Stéphanie Blandin de Chalain
Contributions
Capture welcomes freelance contributions which are of a high standard. All submissions should be sent by email to the editor or accompanied by SAE for return. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. ISSN 1037-6992
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© NIKKI McLENNAN
© DANIEL BEREHULAK