The Cons's Nook: www.ivanmconsiglio.com

MIPP’S MONTHLY LECTURE: Models & Flash on Location, by Keith Darmanin

Posted on March 22, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

Rendezvous point at Pjazza La Vallette in Valletta on Tuesday, 7th April, 2015 at 17:00hrs.

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MIPP PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP, “SHOOTING FOR PERFECTION”

Posted on March 21, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

As part of its ongoing annual training programme, the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP) held a photography workshop at the Monte Kristo Estates in Siggiewi, in collaboration The Fotografer Ltd. Themed “SHOOTING FOR PERFECTION”, this one-day workshop brought together local and foreign photographers, keen to improve their technical knowledge through the use of four purposely outfitted professional studio set ups, whilst utilising models and accompanying makeup artists.

The MIPP dedicates much of its efforts to achieve and maintain photography standards in professional practice and conduct, with a view to safeguard, monitor and deal with matters which affect professional photography.

Besides working with their own cameras, workshop participants had the unique opportunity to use the latest Hasselblad Digital cameras as well as other high end photography equipment, which included Aurora Studio Lighting, Lastolite, Delkin and Innovatronix products.

Guest speaker was Jens Anthonsen, Sales Manager from Hasselblad, who demonstrated in one of the studios set-up, the Hasselblad H5D-50c wifi model. Unlike all other camera manufacturers, Hasselblad offer an upgrade facility where any photographer can trade-in their previous Hasselblad camera for a new, more advanced model.

Paul Mizzi, Managing Director of the Foto Grafer Ltd., the local Maltese agents for Hasselblad, said that “We are proud to be Malta’s largest photographic establishment. Our contact with the client is more than just a transaction, it’s a relationship that we seek to maintain through our honesty, and quality.”

Whilst thanking The Fotografer for their support in organizing this workshop, the MIPP President Kevin Casha remarked that the day’s participants had walked away with a better appreciation of what constitutes a professional status in today’s photographic industry. The outstanding quality results achieved throughout the workshop, provided the attendees with a rare and interesting insight on how one’s final image quality is determined by those factors which each are key in any creative or artistic process.

Photo Resources (for downloading): picture credit to Martin Agius / MIPP

VIA WEB URL

https://www.dropbox.com/s/a2oe2brhrwiqk2h/shooting%20for%20perfection%20images%20for%20media.zip?dl=0

FOR PHOTO CAPTIONING, PLEASE SEE BELOW

For more information: please contact Mr. Kevin Casha on

mobile 99470106 or via email kevin@kevincasha.com

Dated: Fri., 21^st March, 2015

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY | Tagged Foto Grafer, Hasselblad, Jens Anthonsen, KEVIN CASHA, Malta Institute of Professional Photography, MARTIN AGIUS, mipp, MONETKRISTO, PAUL MIZZI | Leave a comment

ROMANUS – Roman festival at Fort Rinella

Posted on March 18, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

The Fundazzjoni Wirt Artna (FWA) will be holding ROMANUS – Roman festival, a special event at Fort Rinella in Kalkara, for families and friends.

This annual Roman festival will be held this week-end, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22^nd March 2015, between 10.00 and 17.00hrs on each day, and will utilise the display arena at Fort Rinella.

The festival will include a combination of talks, hands-on displays, static exhibitions of weapons and equipment, food and wine tasting and large-scale re-enactments depicting different forms of Roman warfare in the field. The latter will include foot and mounted troops and for the first-time ever these will be assisted by live-firing catapult. A museum-quality period chariot will also be shown.

The entrance fee for non-FWA members will be €10 and free for children. FWA members will enter for free.

Event Programme

· 10.00am opening – Roman life lecture

· 11.00am – Swords through the ages display

· 12.00pm – Roman food and wine tasting

· 14.00pm – Roman large formation tactics

· 15.00pm – Artillery (firing of a roman catapult) and soldier camp training

· 16.00pm – Cavalry display

This event is being organized together with Legio X Fretensis, a Maltese re-enactment group dedicated to the study and portrayal of the Roman Army in the 1^st Century A.D.

The army of ancient Rome was a formidable fighting force – well disciplined, organized and supplied with an array of effective and battle-proven weapons. The sword and spear were the infantryman’s main weapon, and the spectacular military successes of the Roman legions throughout Europe and the Near East lay in disciplined battlefield application and relentless training in use of these weapons.

On this occasion talks and lectures will be taking visitors in better understanding of the courage and determination Rome had to extend the Empire. The aim is to show the soldiers life in ancient history, and prowess in the use of arms and disciplined drill with different formations on foot and horses. FWA’s initiative is meant to support Legio X and promote more awareness in all aspects of Maltese history.

Posted in GEEKY OR TECHIE GADGET STUFF, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged catapult, chariot, Fort Rinella, Fundazzjoni Wirt Artna, FWA, Kalkara, Legio X Fretensis, Roman festival, Roman warfare, ROMANUS | Leave a comment

MIPP Walk Through: THE OVERLOOKED PERFORMANCE, a Fine Art photographic exhibition

Posted on March 18, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

MIPP member Alex Attard gives a personal walkthrough in order to informally discuss the concept, preparation and work involved in producing his engaging Exhibition. Family and friends who are interested are also welcome to attend. Friday 20th March, 2015 at 19:30, Upper Galleries, St James Cavalier

Alex Attard is a photographer who works mainly on personal projects, particularly, but not exclusively, on architecture related series. Born into a family who has been in photography since 1913, it was inevitable that he would eventually turn to photography as the medium for his artistic expression. After a hiatus of over twenty-five years, he felt the urge to pick up the camera again and embrace the digital era. He studied the art of the digital print as he strived to equal the visual qualities of film through this new medium. His innate sense of creativity and the very personal interpretation of his subjects, have won him critical acclaim at the highest level and his work has been awarded by some of the most recognised experts in the industry.

THE OVERLOOKED PERFORMANCE – A Fine Art photographic exhibition

www.overlookedperformance.com

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY | Tagged Alex Attard, Malta Institute of Professional Photography, mipp, St. James Cavalier, THE OVERLOOKED PERFORMANCE | Leave a comment

Lectures at the Fortifications Interpretation Centre – The Fortress Builders

Posted on March 12, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

The Fortifications Interpretation Centre – The Fortress Builders is currently preparing its program for regular monthly lectures for the months of May to December 2015.

The one-hour lectures are held monthly at the F.I.C’s Lecture Room, and starting at 17:30hrs.

See the Youtube video on the Centre, to learn more about this historic premises:

Past lectures have attracted great interest, and attendance was always encouraging. The first lecture this year was delivered by Matthew Balzan, on “The Industrial Advancement and Defence”.

Matthew Balzan

“The designers & builders of Fort Manoel: De Tigne, Mondion and Marandon” is the subject chosen by Dr. Stephen C. Spiteri for his upcoming lecture on March 24th, 2015.

Dr. Stephen C. Spiteri

The lecture for April is to be by the Denis Anthony Darmanin, of the Fortifications Interpretation Centre’s Restoration Directorate, within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government.

Denis Darmanin

Speakers are being invited to deliver lectures on topics primarily related to the F.I.C’s role, but also to the culture and heritage of the islands of Malta and Gozo. It will be a pleasure if anybody could be a speaker for one of these lectures.

For further information kindly contact Denis Anthony Darmanin on email denis.a.darmanin@gov.mt , or else at:

Fortifications Interpretation Centre
Restoration Directorate
Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government
St Mark Street, Valletta

on phone +356 21228593/4

Early notification will be appreciated since the F.I.C. has to publish a program of events whilst the staff requires to adhere to their timely publicity.

Posted in GEEKY OR TECHIE GADGET STUFF, GENERAL OBSERVATIONS & THOUGHTS, WORLD MILITARY | Tagged Culture and Local Government, Denis Anthony Darmanin, Denis Darmanin, Dr. Stephen C. Spiteri, Fortifications Interpretation Centre, Matthew Balzan, Ministry for Justice, Restoration Directorate, The Fortress Builders | Leave a comment

Marsa Power Station Photography Competition

Posted on March 9, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

Marsa Power Station Photography Competition
Closing date: 30th April 2015

Enemalta plc is working to decommission and dismantle the 1953 Marsa Power Station. This electricity generation installation served the Maltese Islands for over 61 years. It has been a vital element in the development of the three-phase electricity supply system we use today and its continued expansion to meet increased demand facilitated the extension of the Maltese electricity grid to all localities in Malta and Gozo as well as the advancement of local industry.

Through a number of activities, the Company aims to pay tribute to this power station’s role in the development of modern Malta. It is also recognising the skills and commitment of hundreds of workers who operated its plants throughout the years.
The Marsa Power Station Photography Competition is an opportunity for professional photographers and photography enthusiasts to depict their own interpretation of this important element of Maltese social and economic life in the last six decades. It also seeks to promote the importance of industrial photography as an art form and as a tool to immortalise the memory of current and past technologies.

While touring the power station, visitors can also participate in the Marsa Power Station Photography Competition. The best photos of this power station submitted will be awarded with a total of €500 worth of photographic equipment vouchers. Enemalta and The Malta Institue of Professional Photographers are seeking at outstanding images that preferably depict the Marsa Power Station in a creative, unusual manner, whilst also preserving its characteristics for posterity.

Click here to download the Competition’s Conditions of Entry

Click here to download the Competition’s Official Entry Form

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SHOOT SPORTS LIKE A PRO !

Posted on March 2, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

Photojournalist Domenic Aquilina is holding another SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE in April, 2015.

His course is made up of 5 “hands-on” practical modules at 5 different sports disciplines, and a ” resume` ” module at Domenic’s studio. Bookings are on a “first come, and first served basis”.

Aquilina is a Malta-based internationally recognised photo reporter, who will guide course participants throughout the course with anything one needs to know and experience for sports photojournalism.

Official Malta football writer / photojournalist contributor to www.uefa.com – the official site of the Union of European Football Associations, and a regular photographic contributor to UEFA various publications from the House of European football.

His link with UEFA spans a long number of years. Specializing in photo reportage, Domenic has covered the last seven UEFA Champions League finals, last of which that at Wembley Stadium, London last May, the only Maltese to have done so.

Domenic is also a photographic contributor to various leading publications abroad, namely Guerin Sportivo (Bologna, Italy), World Soccer (England). Accredited photographer to Granangular, a leading stock photo agency in Barcelona, Spain.

Accredited member of the Association Internationalle de la Presse Sportive (A.I.P.S), Institute of Maltese Journalists, The Malta Sportswriters Association and The Malta Institute of Professional Photographers.

Anyone interested contact Domenic Aquilina direct on mobile 99477725 or email aquidomi@onvol.net for further information.

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‘The Darkroom Experience’

Posted on February 27, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

An opportunity to experience the Magic of the Photographic Darkroom!

(Fast Track to Photography module 3): Dark Room Course‏

Now you can experience and learn conventional monochrome film developing and printing in a traditional chemical darkroom. Every serious photographer and lover of the art should pass through the ‘adventure’ of seeing a fine art monochrome print materialize in the developing tray.

For the benefit of those who have the passion, the Course will be fully run by professional photographer and tutor Kevin Casha, who has formulated a course that covers the techniques of the darkroom, as well as instructs participants to process film and print Monochrome work.

Get all the knowledge you need to set up your own darkroom and produce your personal fine art images!

All workshops are carried out at Kevin’s fully equipped Studio and Darkroom at 27, Moonlight, Giovanni Papaffy Street, Ta’ Paris, Birkirkara.

Workshops are conducted in English, if required. Personal attention is given with a small number of students. Applicants are accepted on a first come first served basis as places are limited.

Further Course details:

‘The Darkroom Experience’ (Fast Track to Photography module 3) is built around two main four hour workshops which will have a limit of 6 participants).

– Saturday 4th April – 09:00 to 13:00
A four hour workshop detailing what is needed to set up a darkroom, how to develop and print monochrome films and your first darkroom experience.

– Saturday 11th April – 09:00 to 13:00
Here the participant will have the opportunity to print one’s own images using conventional darkroom techniques.

The all inclusive price of 90 euro includes costs of processing and developing material as well as tea and coffee. All fees are payable in full on booking.

The organizers reserve the right to decline applications at their own discretion or to cancel the course if not enough students apply.

For Bookings and/or further enquiries, please contact Kevin Casha* on 21486097 or 9947 0106 or via email on kevin@kevincasha.com

Website: www.kevincasha.com

Blog: http://kevincasha.com/blog/

Join us on our Facebook FAST TRACK FOTO FORUM

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages#!/group.php?gid=42027685820&ref=ts

* Kevin Casha – Master FSWPP; FMIPP; AMPS; AMPA.

Hon Life Member MIPP MPS; Technical Co-coordinator – National Picture Archive,

Honorary Life President – Malta Visual Art Group,

Tutor Higher National Diploma in Photography, MCAST

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Photography workshop: SHOOTING FOR PERFECTION

Posted on February 24, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

A photographic seminar by The Foto Grafer Ltd; in collaboration with the MIPP.

The Foto Grafer Ltd in collaboration with the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP), would like to invite you to a one day Photography workshop entitled SHOOTING FOR PERFECTION on Sunday, 15^th MARCH from 8.30 am till 4.30 pm at the Monte Kristo Estate.

This is a ‘not to be missed’ event and the day will revolve around three internal professional studio set ups as well as one outdoor location set up – with models as well as makeup artists in attendance. Participants, besides working with their own cameras, will have the opportunity to use the latest Hasselblad Digital cameras as well as other high end equipment, such as Aurora Studio Lighting, Lastolite, Delkin and Innovatronix products. Guest speaker is Jens Anthonsen, Sales Manager from Hasselblad, who will be purposely attending the event. Participants will be presented with a personalized pack containing discount vouchers and product material. Participation is limited and is by invitation only.

The event is mainly subsidized by the Foto Grafer Ltd; and the day ticket, (inclusive of lunch and coffee breaks), is at a nominal charge of Euro 15. Booking and pre payment are necessary and can be done as follows:

1. Through the MIPP BOV internet banking

2. Through cheques addressed to the Foto Grafer Ltd; posted to the MIPP address: 27, Moonlight, Giovanni Papaffy Street, Ta’ Paris, Birkirkara bkr4021

3. Directly to MIPP committee members at forthcoming MIPP meetings.

DRAFT PROGRAMME:

08.30 am: Registration/coffee

09.30 am: Welcome address by The Foto Grafer Ltd;/MIPP President

10.00 am: Technical talk on handling Hasselblad by Jens Anthonsen (Hasselblad Sales Manager)

11.00 am: Coffee break

*11.15 am: Workshops – Your turn – Try out the cameras and use the set up studios! (models will be available)

13.15 pm: Lunch

*14.00 am: Workshops – continuation

16.00 pm: Networking time & coffee break

16.30 pm: Raffle and conclusions.

* Workshops will be run on rotation, giving everyone a chance to work. There will be three studios set up as well as an outdoor location venue, which will be used with a wedding couple, as a real life case scenario. Those participants who want to try out the Hasselblad cameras need to bring their own FORMATTED CF or SD cards so that they can take back their own Hasselblad files shot with. The SD cards need to be fast as they will be used with an adaptor. Hasselblad files can be processed through Lightroom 5. Naturally, bring your own camera gear!

*The Foto Grafer will provide facilities for file conversion if the participant does not have Lightroom 5.

*Unfortunately, those who will not have their own cards will not be able to take back the files they shoot on the day with Hasselblad.

More info: courses@mipp-malta.com

Posted in PHOTOGRAPHY | Tagged Foto Grafer, Hasselblad, mipp | Leave a comment

King Abdullah Hussein starts his day participating in a military special operations training exercises as Jump-Master.

Posted on February 6, 2015 by ivanmconsiglio

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THIS LEADER HAS SQUARE BALLS (BAJD KWADRU in Maltese slang!), I LOVE HOW HE LEADS FROM THE FRONT BY EXAMPLE AND DEDICATION, HE MAKES HIS FATHER PROUD FOR SURE: born 30 January 1962 (age 53) King Abdullah II ibn al-Hussein, in 1980 he joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, was commissioned into the British Army as a Second Lieutenant, and served for a year as a troop commander in the 13th/18th Royal Hussars. After 1982, upon returning home from studies abroad, he joined the Royal Jordanian Army, serving as an officer in the 40th Armored Brigade, and undergoing a parachuting and freefall course. In 1985, he attended the Armored Officer’s Advanced Course at Fort Knox, and in 1986, he became commander of a tank company in the 91st Armored Brigade, holding the rank of Captain. He also served with the Royal Jordanian Air Force in its Anti-Tank Wing, where he was trained to fly Cobra attack helicopters. In 1993, he assumed command of Jordan’s special forces and became a Major General in May 1998. See this video: His Majesty King Abdullah II starts his day participating in a military special operations training exercises as Jump-Master. King Abdullah II, a former commander of Jordan’s Special Forces, sent F-16’s to launch 20 airstrikes against ISIS militants after the brutal execution of captured Jordanian pilot.

Jordan’s King Abdullah II, dubbed the “warrior king,” has spent 22 of his 35 years in the military commanding Special Forces units.

A video published by The Royal Hashemite Court on YouTube shows the 53-year-old leader rallying paratroopers for a military exercise as a “jumpmaster.” Jumpmasters are expert paratroopers who train and teach troops how to properly jump from planes.