"Smile Please"

This lovely Japanese lady stands outside a vintage camera shop in Newtown called "Smile Please".
They have a Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/smilepleasesydneysuper8mm.

I took in my Pentax K1000 to get a new case, and walked away a very satisfied customer. Now I'm keen to use it again after many years. Have to think of a special project worthy of it.

A film for photographers

I don't usually post a picture which is not a photo I have taken myself, but I want to draw this to the attention of photographers.

This film, winner of the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, and the audience award for best narrative feature at the Sydney Film Festival is one that anyone with an interest in photography should try to see. 

The film-maker, Nuri Bilge Ceylan (director and co-writer) is also a stills photographer. it shows. Every frame is like a photograph, held just long enough to explore, but without it flagging. Portraits, landscapes, interiors, action shots, animals, people, emotions....

Not everyone is going to like a wordy, philosophical, 3-hour + film, but I loved it, especially as it was so visually stunning. Every frame could be framed and hung in a photographic exhibition. It also has a lot to say about the human condition.

It was a late starter in the Sydney Film Festival, not included in the official competition, or program. The two screenings were announced after the festival began, and were sold out. 

The Ozcats

Yesterday I wrote about a photographic exhibition, From The Bandstand. The photos were all taken by musician and photographer, Ron Falson. Please do read yesterday's entry! At top is one of Ron's photographs, of Australian singer Johnny O'Keefe, taken at the Sydney Stadium in 1958.

At the time of his death last year, Ron was leader of a jazz band called The Ozcats. In fact, Ron died at a gig they were playing.

The Ozcats played at the exhibition opening. You can read all about them by clicking here. And all about Ron Falson by clicking here.

And while you're at it, why not have a listen to Ron and Gill's grandson, Sam Sparro - by clicking here , and here .

From The Bandstand - the photography of Ron Falson

This is my friend Gill Falson (right) with Sydney radio presenter, Angela Catterns, at the opening of a wonderful exhibition of photos, exhibited under the title From The Grandstand. Gill was interviewed by Angela the week before.

This exhibition showcases a unique collection of photographs that take a glimpse at and celebrate Sydney’s music scene from the 1940s to the 1970s. They are on display at the historic Sydney mint until November 6.

They were all taken by Gill's husband, Ron, who died last year, on stage, having completed a set with his band, the Ozcats. Not only was Ron one of Australia's great musicians (a trumpeter), who played in many of the great bands in Australia, and onstage with many of the top international artists, he was also a photographer. Ron's photos were taken, mostly with available stage light, literally "from the bandstand" where he was playing.

The photos include many depicting Sydney jazz venues long lost: cool jazz in nightclubs, swing
bands in surf clubs, the heyday of the Sydney stadium ‘big shows’, behind the scenes images in Sydney recording studios, and on set in the early days of Australian music TV, local jazz greats and international stars…from swing to rock & roll.

Ron began playing in a schoolboy band, and by the late 1950s was backing mega-stars like Sinatra and was involved with TV shows such as Six O’clock Rock, The Don
Lane Show, and The Midday Show

On display in the Members Lounge from Wednesday 5 August until Friday 6 November.

At left is one of Ron Falson's outstanding photos: Sammy Davis singing Mr Bojangles, Festival Hall, Melbourne, 1959.

More tomorrow from the opening night.