I was recently interviewed by Jonathan Cherry from Mull It Over. I thought I’d share it here, along with some of the images that I sent through to be featured. If you haven’t checked it out, head over to Mull It Over for some good photographic inspiration.
MARK LOBO: I grew up wanting to be a police man, baseball player or comedian. All things that I would have been terrible at!
JC: Who or what is inspiring you at the moment?
ML: Passionate people. It’s a bit broad, but meeting new people who love and believe in what they do really inspires me to create great work and love the process.
JC: What are you up to right now?
ML: I just got back from visiting family in Tokyo, so at the moment I’m consciously taking things a bit slow while I still can. I’m using the time to plan and gather everything I need for a self-portrait application idea for Phoot Camp 2014 (you know, neck brace, dumbbells, rubber duckies, etc. etc.)
JC: Have you had mentors along the way?
ML: I haven’t had anyone that I would officially call a mentor, but I have a group of friends who hold me accountable and help me with the support I need when it comes to making things happen. They are from different backgrounds and live in different cities around the world which I find gives me a fresh perspective and guidance with the obstacles I face and ideas I have.
JC: Where are you based right now and how is it shaping you?
ML: Melbourne, Australia. It’s cold (by Australian standards), it’s beautiful and the people here get it when it comes to people following their passions. There’s a lot of support and it leaves me constantly inspired and feeling comfortable to create. At the same time, there are so many talented people here that it really drives me to create the best work I can.
JC: One piece of advice to photography graduates?
ML: There are a few things I’ll often share with new photographers. I usually send them this link. The most important thing would be to know what you want, which I think works on many levels. Knowing what you want to capture and how you want an image to look before even looking through the viewfinder is pretty important. And in the long term, knowing where you want to be 20 years time helps us make sure we stay on track and brings value to the things we do on a daily basis.
JC: If all else fails – what is your plan B?
ML: I think a plan B would only really happen if I couldn’t physically shoot anymore. I have a tech background and like building things, so I’d most likely be working towards building a web based, photography related business.
JC: Is it important to you to be a part of a creative community?
ML: Community is so important. Trust, support and good passionate people are what I look for in a community, which has transpired through a group of big-hearted photographers I met through a photographic retreat called Phoot Camp. When you meet someone for the first time, and feel like you’ve known them forever, that’s when you know you’ve found your community. It’s validating and inspiring to meet other people like yourself.
Semi Permanent in Melbourne had me on my feet for two crazy big days, photographing the event and also shooting some video. A constant highlight was no doubt hearing inspiring, creative speakers like Jessica Hische, Glendyn Ivin and Seb Lester, to name a few, but also to be able to photograph them back stage. It was an inspiring weekend.
I worked with the great team at Big Fish once again to produce a series of images for their client, Go Health. It was a fun shoot which involved a lot of moving of excercise equipment, taking over the spin room on location. I’m really happy with the final artwork and the use of colour is delicious. Here are a few of the images from the shoot:
Fulfilling a brief within 4 hours of receiving it is rarely something I have to do, but that’s exactly what a new designer goes through every day on Made In The Now. This morning, I was that designer…well photographer. The idea behind Made In The Now, is to challenge a new designer with a brief based on a news article written that day, voted in by the public. With that article in mind, the designer creates a limited edition T-shirt, which is only available for 24 hours. As a photographer, I wanted to shoot something specific and not have to rely on a back catalog. Luckily, the article voted in didn’t have me struggling as much as it would for some of it’s candidates! I was to photograph and design a shirt based on an article about animals and their relationship with increasing brain activity. This is what I came up with. The shirt is only available for 24 hours, so if you want it, get in quick! http://www.madeinthenow.com/shirt/51.html:
I was actually also the photographer for these t-shirt models too…so meta.
In a year where Brisbane has faced some of it’s most challenging of times, working on a positive campaign promoting the city and encouraging people to make it a better place was a great experience. I shot a range of images from all around Brisbane for the Together Brisbane project, which can now be seen around the city on Billboards, buses, bus stops and the Together Brisbane website among other places. Now, with the Brisbane Festival coming up, user submitted images are being rolled out throughout the city. I can’t be more excited about the use of photography to tell the stories of the people of Brisbane, something I’ve been focused on through my own project, The BNE Project. Many thanks to the great team from Big Fish who I worked with on the campaign and to David Byrne who photographed the above image.
Here are a few images of the work I’ve shot for the campaign:
Please excuse quality of the iphone shots… “The best camera is the one on you.” right?
And the accompanying TVC in which I was working along side on the project:
Earlier in the month, I worked with Made In The Now, a JM-Labs venture that looks to turn current events into awesome T-shirt designs. With a new designer and relevant creation every 24 hours, it’s an exciting and fresh approach to limited edition shirts. Check out the site (and my photos) at madeinthenow.com
I spent my high school years on the Sunshine Coast, living in the coastal town of Noosa before moving inland to the quiet town of Eumundi, most well known for it’s weekly markets. So it was with great pleasure that I worked on my latest assignment with Tiger Airways’ inflight magazine, which was also my third cover for them. The photography for the piece focused on the Sunshine Coast art trail and was to feature the work of local artists, particularly Katz, a local body painter. Carrying a light weight portable lighting kit, we braved the wet weather and mosquitoes off the trail to shoot the works. This is one of my favourite shots from the shoot as well as the image selected for the cover!
I was recently invited up to climb the story bridge by fellow photography lover and Story Bridge Climb CEO, Paul Lewin. I gladly accepted and was keen to experiment a bit and see what would go in to shooting a portrait at the top of the bridge. There were quite a few restrictions on what gear I could take up there, but was still able to manage a few lenses, speedlights as well as a small customised diffuser for the flashes.
I chose to shoot at sunset but found the harsh silhouetting of the sun stetting behind Brisbane city was a bit too much for a portrait and low powered lighting. i can’t wait to see what it’s like up there at sunrise! Here are a few snaps from the afternoon. Many thanks to Brisbane Photographer, Toby Scott who came and helped out with the shoot!
One of the biggest highlights of last year was no doubt the opportunity to head over to Los Angeles to meet and hang out with some inspiring, creative minds at Phootcamp. This year, I’m doing it all again in Marfa, Texas! As part of the application process, we had to shoot a self portrait (see last year’s here). The portrait was inspired by everything I learned at last year’s camp and included a few recurring themes from otherpeople’sphotos! The shirt I’m wearing is inspired by this “Nate Bolt!” shirt by Steph Goralnick. The portrait has also been featured along with the many other talented Phoot Camp attendees here on Pictory, an always beautiful and inspiring website created by Phootcamp founder, Laura Miner. I can’t wait to meet all the new faces and really dig deep into getting creative with such an awesome bunch of people!
Here’s a timelapse video of the creation of the shot! It was all shot with speedlights, for a higher sync speed and water resistance! Thanks to Elleni, Toby and Michael for all their help!
Here are a few of my shots from Phoot Camp last year:
I recently worked with branding agency, Underbrand on a photo shoot for Jam Jar, a new restaurant/bar in West End, Brisbane. With it’s lane way inspired, stencil and street art covered walls and Queenslander inspired seating, it was an inspiring space to work out of. Their menu looked pretty delicious, I don’t think I’ve salivated more on a shoot than I did when working on their food photography. With the owners being a mother-son duo, it was a fun portrait shoot, capturing the intimate energy and genuine moments that emerged as the two played off of one another. One of the best things about working with Jam Jar was the commissioned artwork that they asked me to work on. Covering a 5 meter wide space behind the bar, it definitely was a first for me see my photography turned into a wallpaper on such a large scale. So go check out my one photo exhibition on the wall of Jam Jar and have a tasty meal or drink while you’re at it!
Earlier in the year, I worked on an editorial piece for Tiger Airways’ in flight magazine, Tiger Tales. I was asked to capture a different side of Brisbane, focusing more on the local culture rather than it’s “touristy” surrounds. The story was structured around 9 streets in Brisbane and the unique offerings of each of them. As a local photographer, I was in my element when it came to capturing some of the city’s attractions. In addition, I was to capture some young Brisbanites for the cover (above). It was a really enjoyable shoot and gave me the excuse to visit some of my favourite cafes.
If you’re traveling on Tiger Airways before the end of April, be sure to pick up a copy. This was my second cover for Tiger Tales, with one more cover on the way. My first shoot with them had me standing on the back of a moving Harley, trying to get the cover shot! You can read more about it here.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I was interviewed in the last issue of Capture Magazine. It was a small 2 part piece on social media and how it can be used by photographers. The follow-up issue has hit the shelves, where I say a few more words about Creative Commons licensing and most importantly, have illustrated it with some of my favourite images! The piece looks at a number of photographers’ views on online copyright and is quite an interesting read, touching on protecting your photographic rights online.
Perhaps it’s a few days late, but here are some images from my top 10 shoots of 2010! It was an incredible year.
In no particular order…
Japan – Momiji
I head back to Tokyo once or twice a year and most often in the winter time. At this time of the year, the Momiji leaves (Japanese maple) dominate the treeline and cover the ground in parks. I really love the way these leaves look against a nice bokeh.
Phoot Camp – Dan Busta
I traveled to New York, Boston and Los Angeles earlier in the year where I met some of the most inspiring and creative people and took part in Phoot Camp, where I shot this portrait.
Michael Hill Jeweller – Jewellery Photography
To be able to shoot for Michael Hill‘s catalog was a great experience. Working against an impressive existing collection, I learnt a few new tricks of the trade when it comes to this type of product photography. It’s probably some of the best product work I’ve done to date.
TEDxBrisbane – Event Photography
Modeled after the US based annual TED conferences, TEDxBrisbane was an Independently organised TED event. The day included talks from a diverse range of prolific thinkers and doers. I shot all the TEDx events held in Brisbane in 2010 and have been truly inspired by them all.
Green Heart – Campaign and Editorial Photography
I worked on an image library for Green Heart, an environmental sustainability program in Brisbane, with the focus on creating carbon-neutral city by 2026. It was great to work with and meet so many inspiring people dedicated to building a better and greener city to live in.
Philippines – Bohol Island
It was a busy time for me in January. I had just come back from a freezing winter in Tokyo, returning to spend a few hot days in a Brisbane summer. Before I had a chance to settle back in, I was off to shoot a wedding in an uncomfortably humid Philippines. With all the travel, changes in climate, and stress of working in a new environment, just watching the warm rain roll in took me to my happy place. With good music playing on my headphones, a big wedding shoot behind me, and big drops of warm rain splashing off my feet, it was the perfect way to unwind and enjoy the rest of my stay.
Tiger Airways – Cover shot and Editorial Photography
I had the pleasure of working on an exhilarating and colourful editorial shoot for Tiger Airways, which had me following biker Mac Swift around the Tweed Valley in Northern New South Wales. I was asked to capture the journey along some of the Valley’s beautiful rain-forests and beaches, which eventually led me to dangerously balancing on the back of a moving Harley, trying to get the cover shot! Definitely one of the most thrilling shoots of the year.
Von Vintage – Film Photography Project
2010 was a big year for film and creative work for me. With a new Hasselblad, I continued work on my film project, Von Vintage. The site is soon to be relaunched and will also be selling prints! Keep an eye out!
Lomography Spinner 360 – 35mm film toy camera
I’d have to say that my most used camera (other than my SLR) has to be the 360 spinner from Lomography. It’s a camera that literally spins 360 degrees (or more) in your hand, exposing a long strip of 35mm film, including the sprocket holes! I was in Melbourne, shooting the Finders Keepers Markets when I found this puddle. You can also see some other shots of mine on the PHOTOJOJO website!
Fadez – Promo Photography
I worked with former Reds rugby player, Charlie Fetoai and the team at Fadez Men’s Barbershops for a pitch they were putting together for MTV. This isn’t one of the images used, but I found the antics and outtakes to be some of the funnest.
And an extra one of myself from a series I’m working on…
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It was a busy busy year, and there were quite a few other shoots that I wish I could have included in this list! Coming in close, but not making it into my top 10 were : My shoot with Scott Spark, Help Portrait, the BNE project shoot with John Davis and working on the One Punch Can Kill Campaign!
I was in Melbourne on the weekend as the photographer for the Finders Keepers Markets, a rapidly growing bi-annual event held in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. It was the first Finders Keepers held in Melbourne and was probably their biggest yet. I think it’s says a lot about the creative community in Melbourne. Here are a few of my favourite shots:
I’m currently expanding to base myself out of both Brisbane and Melbourne so don’t hesitate to get in contact for any portrait, commercial or wedding photography in the area!
I recently did a shoot for Hailey Calvert, an incredibly talented Brisbane singer-songwriter. We set out to shoot a few different locations based on some of Hailey’s inspirations and tell the story of her and her music. You can check out some of Hailey’s music here: myspace.com/haileycalvert.
Here are a few of my favourite shots:
Escaping the Australian summer, I was back in Tokyo at the end of 2009. I spent my days shooting, eating, wandering and embracing the Japanese winter weather. Thought I’d share a few shots and videos from the trip.
Over 8,000 photographers and volunteers in 42 countries held Help Portrait events on the 12th of December this year. Among those 715 locations which held the photo shoots, 2 were organised for Brisbane. I worked with a group of amazing Brisbane photographers along with the Starlight foundation to provide sick children and their families with beautifully printed and framed portraits.
The day was eye opening, challenging and exceptional, with just 5 photographers and 3 starlight volunteers, we set up in 2 spaces at the hospital and also visited those unable to come to us. There were a few issues with printing, but we still achieved our main goal, which was to give the kids and their families beautiful portraits and a fun experience through photography. The children were thrilled to be a part of a photo shoot and the grateful looks on the faces of their parents told a story in itself.
I’d like to thank the photographers, family, friends, and everyone who helped and showed support, whether it was through donations or just spreading the word through twitter, you made the day amazing for some very needy children and their families. With our fund raising efforts, we ended up raising over $900 to cover costs and the remainder was donated directly to the Starlight Foundation.
I’d also like to mention the great efforts of another group of fine photographers who made another Help Portrait happen for Vital Connection. With all the interest shown through the Brisbane Help Portrait page and emails received, I have no doubt Help Portrait in Brisbane will only be getting bigger and more frequent. We’d be interested in getting the ball rolling on the next help portrait, so if you have any ideas for future events, as well as potential suppliers, please let me know. I’d really like to see a lot of small groups of photographers getting out there, giving portraits, and doing their thing!
Thanks again!
Time lapse video from one of the Help Portrait locations:
Whether it be through story telling, print donations for art auctions or charity event coverage, there are quite a few ways a photographer can dedicate their time and skills towards a greater good. Upon hearing about Help Portrait through photographer Elleni Toumpas, along with Brisbane photographers Adam West, Toby Scott and Ian Henderson, we decided to discover new and more direct ways to give, rather than just “take” pictures. In major cities around the world, photographers are coming together to donate their time, equipment and expertise to giving to those less fortunate as a part of the Help Portrait movement. Although Help Portrait shoots will be happening across the globe on December 12 this year, we have all agreed and are planning towards carrying out these shoots on a more regular basis.
In support of hospitalised and seriously ill children, Help Portrait Brisbane will be working with the Starlight Children’s Foundation to take portraits with the kids and their families and give them professional prints from the day.
Want to help out?
Chip In!
While our time and equipment are all covered, we still need to raise the money to give prints to the children and families of Starlight! So we are aiming to raise $500 to give them something nice to keep. If you can spare just $5-10, or even more to help us reach our goal it would be greatly appreciated. You can use the widget above to donate, or visit the Help Portrait ChipIn page here: http://helpportrait.chipin.com/help-portrait-brisbane
Get Involved!
While we’ve reached the number of photographers needed to help the children at the Starlight Foundation, there are still so many more people out there that could do with a portrait to brighten their day! So if you are a photographer and want to take part in Help Portrait this year, it’s not too late! Check out the Help Portrait website, on how to get involved and get something started. The local Brisbane site can be found here: http://community.help-portrait.com/group/brisbane . There are still so many people who want to get involved, team up and make something amazing happen!
Brisbane’s creative community can feel like one big happy family at times, so shooting for Finders Keepers this weekend was lots of fun. An event originating in Sydney, the Finders Keepers markets supports local designers and artists through a two day independent market. I spent most of the day strolling around, listening to music and chatting to stall owners about their creations and the ideas behind them. It’s really left me feeling re-inspired to focus a bit more on my side projects like VonVintage, and the BNE project, to bring more to a photograph than just a print on a wall or an image online. Here are some of my favourite stalls and shots from the day. More images can be found in the Finders Keepers gallery.
In support of the Inspire Foundation and to help raise funds and awareness for the prevention of suicide and improvement of mental health and well being in men, the “Man Book” was launched today. Put together by the very inspiring Mark Pollard and Gavin Heaton, the book titled The Perfect Gift for a Man – 30 Stories about Reinventing Manhood, focuses on the stories of 30 contributors on topics such as respect, fragility and loss. Although I didn’t manage to write anything for the book, I was honoured to play a part through my contribution as a photographer. 2 images, destined to spend the rest of their lives on my hard drive, were given life and purpose again through use on the front cover and within the book! For more information on the book, head to theperfectgiftforaman.com.au or you can support the Inspire Foundation by buying an
