I was fully prepared for a day of adventure at the Fujifilm Australia “People With Cameras” photography event here in Sydney. I knew there could be delays of up to 10 minutes due to train track work, which could cause us (Dianne and I) to miss connecting trains, so I planned on arriving an hour early. Luckily for us the delays were only a few minutes and we arrived extremely early. The event started at 3.15pm, we had to meet at 3pm for a sponsors and supporters briefing before the event, so arriving at 2.15pm gave us time to have lunch at the Bodhi restaurant the same place we were to have dinner courtesy of Fuji. It was only a 5 minute walk from our meet up point.

 

After 40 minutes and $50 later of delicious Yum Cha. We made our way to the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park. That’s when I had that sinking feeling that the pre event briefing was not scheduled for here. Franticly searching through a month of emails, other correspondence and a desperate inbox message to Leigh Diprose (who I knew would be uninterruptible at this stage) I finally found what I was looking for at 3.12pm. Our meet up point was back near the Bodhi. DOAH!!! I met the group as they were walking to the fountain, received my official “People With Cameras” black cap and was told that all I missed out on was introductions with the other organisers. The rest of the details would be repeated at the launch.

 

 

 

 

 

The crowd gathered near the fountain as the Fuji reps Leigh Diprose and Warrewyk Williams gave the instructions for the event. The theme for the day would be “Photographers in their environment” and it would have to be shot/presented in black and white. There was going to be prizes given to the best rendition of this theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone broke into smaller groups of 5 or 6 and set out to fulfill their assignment. Our 2 groups consisting of long time Google+ cohorts and a few new faces knew exactly where to head for the ideal “Photographers Environment”. The nearest pub.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course we didn’t abandon our objective and did fulfil the mission of Photographers In Their natural Environment. Here’s proof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a weary time of creative expression it was time to head back to our Hyde Park meet up point to select our groups favourite image for judging. Alas we didn’t win. 🙁 A young lady from another group won with a good compositional shot. I’m sure once Fuji gets a copy of the image they will post it with the winners details. I was standing too far back to catch her name and a photo. (Note to self, must brush up on Event Photography skills.) She won a Fuji XA1 with kit lens, ThinkTank photo bag, Fuji Instax printer and a few other bits and pieces.

 

The day ended with the Fujifilm, other sponsors, supporters, winner and her group eating dinner at the Bodhi restaurant.

 

Here is the official video produced by Lee Herbert from Capturing Passion. Sit back and enjoy this short 1:35 minute video that is “People With Cameras”. Nice work mate.

I would like to thank Fujifilm Australia, Mind Shift Gear and ThinkTank for sponsoring the evening. Thank you to all my fellow supporters for help coordinating the event and most importantly the participants who turned up on the day. I hope you enjoyed yourselves, learnt new techniques and made new friends and contacts. Without you there would be no event.  

See you next time. 🙂