Readers and Writers Portrait Photo Project with Nicole Boenig McGrade

As a lover of literature, I'm searching for readers and writers of all ages and from all walks of life living in and around Perth, Western Australia, to have their portrait taken for the "Readers and Writers Portrait Photo Project" to be published in a book.

• Are you a parent, who enjoys the peaceful, magical moments of reading to your baby or child?
• Are you a child, who loves books and maybe even has a passion for writing?
• Are you a teenager engrossed in the latest, or old novels and just can't put books down?
• Are you a pensioner with a home library or just shelves and shelves of books?
• Are you a politician who writes policies?
• Are you a publisher or editor of literature?
• Do you still love to read or write hand written letters in today's technical world?
• Do you have an insatiable passion for reading or studying literature?
• Do you write novels, poetry, short stories?
• Do you write biographies, inspiring books or even WA policies?
• Do you love to read or write in your own studio or home library; in your home or office; in your garden, verandah or observatory; on the beach or in the park; at your favourite café or bookshop; anywhere
• etc…

If you answered "Yes" to any of these and more - if you are interested in sitting for the "Readers and Writers Portrait Photo Project",  or would like more information, email: contact@nicoleboenigmcgrade.com with a photo / snapshot of yourself and your contact details (email and phone / mobile number).

If this is not for you and you know someone else who may be interested in sitting for, or supporting this project, I'd be very grateful if you could forward this information on to them.

For your convenience, a downloadable PDF file on the "Readers and Writers Portrait Photo Project" is here: http://www.nicoleboenigmcgrade.com/downloads/

Creatively yours, Nicole Boenig McGrade

"The Reader" by Nicole Boenig McGrade

A Mother's Day

For all the mothers who are, who will be, and who want to be.

I was blessed with three miracle babies.

One, born so tiny and beautiful.

He was with us for two most memorable days,

But sadly he had to move on.

Saying good-bye is the hardest word to say.

Especially to your own lifeless child.

"My eyes are closed, I see a soft light.

A peaceful voice and loving touch.

Good-bye Mum.

I will always be a part of you."

- This mother's day, in loving memory of baby Benjamin.

Being a mother is not a job - it's a gift.

Wishing all mothers around the world a beautiful, memorable day, surrounded by your loved ones.

Nicole Boenig McGrade

Happy Mother's Day in loving memory by Nicole Boenig McGrade

Fine Art Photography Auction to benefit the "Save the Children Japan Earthquake Appeal"

This weekend I'm auctioning off one of my most sought after photographs - "RAINMAN" - to benefit the "Save the Children Japan Earthquake Appeal" run by Save The Children Australia.

I am very pleased for all moneys raised by auctioning "RAINMAN", a 15" wide x 8" high fibre based silver gelatin photograph crafted by hand in the traditional darkroom, to be paid by the winning bidder directly to "Save the Children" Australia.

• The Auction begins now - and remains open until midnight (Perth, Western Australia time) on Sunday, 27th March 2011.
• All bids to be made here.
• Select "I wish to bid for "Rainman" at your Fine Art Photography Auction to benefit the "Save the Children Japan Earthquake Appeal"," add your contact details and include the amount you wish to bid in Australian Dollars.
• The highest winning bidder will be announced here on Monday, 28th March 2011.
• The winning bidder is to donate the full winning bid $ amount directly to the Save The Children Japan Earthquake Appeal.
• Proof of Payment must be provided to the photographer, Nicole Boenig McGrade, by 5pm Tuesday, 29th March 2011 (Perth, Western Australia time).
• Once proof of payment from the Save the Children Japan Earthquake Appeal has been presented to the photographer, Nicole Boenig McGrade, the photograph "Rainman" will be shipped directly to the auction winner within 48 hours and the photographer, Nicole Boenig McGrade, will provide the winning bidder shipping details for tracking purposes.
• Limited Edition 8/20 "Rainman" photograph sold to a private collector for $1,800 AUD.
• Please note, a minimum bid $ amount exists. If this minimum bid $ amount is not reached, the auction will have to be closed with no winning bidder.

I'm very pleased to help our neighbours in need. We need to do more for our people and our planet.

Stay tuned and Happy Bidding this weekend!

Nicole Boenig McGrade

Update on Monday, March 28, 2011 at 9:38PM by Nicole Boenig McGrade

This auction has now been closed and passed in.

Gallery Print Auction for the Australian Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal

Fine art, collectable fibre based silver gelatin photographs by photographer Nicole Boenig McGrade up for auction to assist the Australian Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal.

Friday, 25 March 2011 between 9am to 9pm (Perth, Western Australia time), I am auctioning off online an entire limited edition SHORT STORY: titled "Run, Alice, Run". Consisting of eight 8x8" fibre based silver gelatin photographs.

• All bids to be made here. Select "I wish to bid on your Gallery Print Auction for the Australian Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal", add your contact details and include the amount you wish to bid in Australian Dollars.
• The highest winning bidder will be announced here on Friday, 25 March 2011 between 9-11pm (Perth, Western Australia time).
• All moneys to be paid directly to the Australian Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal.
• The winning bidder is to donate the full winning bid $ amount directly (via internet banking, phone or over the counter at any Commonwealth, Westpac and ANZ Bank as well as any Australia Post Office) to the Australian Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal.
• Proof of Payment must be provided to the photographer, Nicole Boenig McGrade, by 5pm Monday, 28 March 2011.
• Once proof of payment from the Australian Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal has been presented to the photographer, Nicole Boenig McGrade, the photograph series "Run, Alice, Run" will be shipped directly to the auction winner within 48 hours and the photographer, Nicole Boenig McGrade, will provide the winning bidder shipping details for tracking purposes.
• Please note, a minimum bid $ amount exists. If this minimum bid $ amount is not reached, the auction will have to be closed with no winning bidder.

I'm very pleased to help our neighbours in need. We need to do more for our people and our planet.

Happy Bidding!

Nicole Boenig McGrade

Update on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 9:22PM by Nicole Boenig McGrade

This Auction is now closed.

CONGRATULATIONS to Jeff Bannow from Michigan, USA, for winning the auction for "Run, Alice, Run" to benefit the Australian Red Cross Japan and Pacific Disaster Appeal! Thank you very much for your very generous offer!

Update on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 3:36PM by Nicole Boenig McGrade

Packaging winning photographs, which have now been sent to the winning bidder.

Thank you all for your support for a good cause.

Kindest regards, Nicole Boenig McGrade

Packaging winning "Run, Alice, Run" short story photographs for winning bidder.

Environment before Economy

Last night I listened to a talk by David Suzuki (at the university in Perth) - on "Nature should always be at the core of our thinking, urging us to strive for a sustainable future".

According to scientists, Perth is the least sustainable city in Australia - with the highest level of debt! I'd like to share with you some interesting notes I took during his talk (relevant to anyone, anywhere):

Why is our economy regarded much higher than the sustainable future of our planet? In Kopenhagen this year, 192 countries came together to find a sustainable solution, yet economics ended up being the highest priority in negotiating our planet's survival. With every economic meltdown, nature has to pay the price. There are laws of physics, laws of chemisty and laws of biology. The economic law was created by us and is fundamentaly flawed as it expects nature to fit into our economic system. Nature is the source of our wealth.

Suzuki had a confrontation with a CEO of a big company who said: "Are tree hunters like you willing to pay for saving those trees?" He forgets - nature is free - until we put a price on it. We now have a price on everything, including carbon. Companies are not interested in preserving the species that survive and flourish in healthy forests, they dismiss this as irrelevant to the economy. We fail to take into account natures' services before our economy. The CEO's of our economic system consider "growth" as the highest priority. What does "growth" do for us? Growth is the definition of "progress". Ask any CEO what the definition of "progress" is and they say it's determined by the size of their profits, the number of their employes and global expansion. Our economy can only survive with continued growth - hence the bailouts of companies and countries during the GFC.

Nothing in a finite world can grow forever. If just one of our body cells said: "I will grow forever!" - this cell would be called "Cancer" - and the result is death! Constant demand for growth is suicidal.

The resources of our planet are limited. Our planet's biosphere is fixed. We have a population problem. We're on a suicidal path to running out of water, food and other resources. We have created an illusion that everything is alright. Ask anyone what life used to be like 20, 40, 60 years ago. "It used to be so different" they would say. "Rivers used to be jammed with fish; waters were pristine; we could drink straight from the river; we could eat fish we caught without having to check how many toxins are in that fish and how much of it we can eat in one week..."

Our earth is already fully occupied. It's not progress to use up the legacy of our children and grandchildren. We lack the humility to realise our limits and accept the fragility of our biosphere.

Headline News: "The Aussie Dollar reaches parity with the US Dollar"! Yet, "20% of all planet species could be extinct within 20 years" barely makes it into the papers. By 2050 there will not be any commercial species of fish left on our planet. In 20 years there will not be another single complete forest left on our planet. You don't see that in any news headlines.

When Suzuki's father was dying, he said to David: "I die a rich man". His father's wealth was his collection of memories and experiences with his family and friends - not the car he bought or the house he lived in. During the GFC people are encouraged to "buy up" properties to add to their financial portfolio. A real estate agent does not see the true value of your home. What value to you put on your home? Suzuki's grandparents lived upstairs - that was wealth! His best friend crafted a beautiful handle for his gate. His father built the cupboards now in Suzuki's kitchen. The cupbourds don't fit, but he enjoys the memories of his father everytime he uses those cupboards.

Memories are created by the richness of the experiences in our lives. What is the value of your home - to you? What transformed your property into a home? On the market these things are worthless. How do you put a value on something that is sacred? That is a problem when everything is slotted into an economic system. We know in our hearts this is wrong. So what should we do? Slow down! What is the rush? We're all going to die anyway! We need to slow down to nature's pace. We can't rush nature. What are we going to leave our children?

We have to reimagine the future. We have to dream of something that we can work towards with sustainability. Imagine every roof capturing water, every house capturing the sun, logging forests the right way - at nature's pace, imagine the economy in balance with nature. Let us dream of what is possible. Let's work towards that dream. Let us show what we are truely capable of as a species!

David Suzuki's Legacy

Every effort counts. What are you doing to help save our environment?

The Common Ground : Photography and Writing

Inspiring photography is like poetry. A short story expressed with captivating imagery that requires very few words. It at arrests the viewer's attention and squeezes the heart.

Beautiful writing is like inspiring photography. A story with carefully chosen words filled with inspiring imagery. It captivates the heart and the imagination.

Fine art photographic short stories by photographer Nicole Boenig McGrade: "Run, Alice, Run"

BEACH SUNRISE

I've been thinking a lot about those less fortunate and appreciating the simple things. So, I decided to go for a walk on the beach at sunrise this morning with my Hasselblad camera and some "years-out-of-date" colour film to rediscover some of the inspiring details in my life. The white sand so was deceptively cold, I had to wade in the water to warm up my frozen toes. There's something quite romantic about getting the folded hems of blue jeans splashed by gentle waves. The sky was a soft waking blue and the tall silver-green grasses in the sand dunes danced as the sun slide over the horizon. Today is such a beautiful day. A good morning to you all.

Creatively yours, Nicole

Nicole Boenig McGrade: A photographer in love with old cameras & the darkroom. Writer. Always at home by the sea shore. Beaches, baskets, peonies & bicycles make me smile.

Scratchings from my Notebook

• Art is most beautiful when it allows the viewer the liberty of interpretation and imagination.
• Photography is a private and personal journey. It's an eclectic collection of passion, self sacrifice, empathy and an undying determination.
• There's no such thing as a perfect negative or print - there's always room for improvement.
• A home without photographs is like a life without memories.
• I had to give up technology to become creative again. I lost too much time!

- by Nicole Boenig McGrade

THE MAGIC OF A DARKROOM

Nicole Boenig McGrade is just one of a minority left fighting for the survival of traditional film processes in a world of digital imaging. The magic of a darkroom requires more than just dodging, burning and stippling - it requires patience and passion, just like any organic artform, to create unique, masterful, collectable art pieces. No digital process has yet replicated the full richness of a good, hand created, silver gelatin print.

Here is a part documentary video showing celebrated master printer Robin Bell at work in the darkroom creating stunning silver gelatin prints.

The Silver Footprint - A book by Robin Bell.

Nurturing Creativity in Children's Education

Please take a few moments to watch this brilliant and positively inspiring presentation video as shown on the http://www.ted.com website:

"Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity."

Sir Ken Robinson believes creativity is as important as literacy - I couldn't agree more. So, I spent the evening researching his publications, presentations and interviews. Here are some of the few of things Sir Ken Robinson points out:

• "If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original."
• "Human communities depend upon a diversity of talents, not a singular conception of ability."
• "Education has become like Fast Food."
• "It's about passion and what excites our spirit and our energy."

I love to read books and somewhere along the way I recall reading these two lines, which have had a profound effect on my own (approach) work over the years and I'd like to share them with you:

"FEARS about yourself prevent you from doing your BEST work. FEARS about your listeners/viewers prevent you from doing your OWN work." - When I remember who wrote these two wonderful lines, I'll come back add the author/book.

If you're interested, here are some articles I wrote:

• Arts and Science in Australian mainstream - is this possible? 
• Artists and their Freedom of Expression 
• Young Artists Rising

Creatively yours,

Nicole Boenig McGrade

WHY DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH IN BLACK AND WHITE AND STILL ON FILM?

I've been asked many times why I only photograph in black and white - and on film. The film is purely a personal choice of medium or tools and as a painter and a photographer I have a picture in my mind, without really understanding it, until my work is complete. The reason I photograph in black and white is because... I find colour becomes all about the colour. It distracts from the mood, the emotion, the form and the relationship. Black and white invites study, feeling and understanding. So, stay a while and enjoy the GALLERIES.

Creatively yours, Nicole Boenig McGrade

GEORDIE BAY AT ROTTNEST ISLAND - A WINTER WEEKEND AT THE BEACH

This weekend I enjoyed a beautiful winter weekend on Rottnest Island off Perth in Western Australia. The island and its beaches in winter are so much nicer than in summer. Quiet, peaceful, not many people, no scorching heat and there's nothing like curling up with with a glass of red wine by the fire in the old beach side shack. Here's an introduction, but I'll have to go through all my negatives and post some prints when more time allows.

Geordie Bay at Rottnest Island by Perth, Western Australia. Silver Gelatin black and white photograph by Nicole Boenig McGrade. The old beach shack by the beach on a winter weekend with bed, sunglasses and diary by the open window overlooking the jetty.

THE STORY BEHIND "RAINMAN"

Many people have asked what is the story behind the limited edition fine art silver gelatin photograph titled "Rainman"...

It was winter of 2004, I was photographing along the old railway line opposite Leighton Beach (north of Fremantle, Western Australia), when a large dark rain cloud blew in and it instantly began raining very heavily. I jumped into my parked car to wait for the rain to pass, which took no more than five minutes - typical for this region. I still had my 35mm film camera in my hands and the windscreen wipers were going as fast as they could - I could barely see out and the noise of the heavy rain beating my car was unnerving.

A drenched man in a long dark coat appeared out of the industrial area to my left (Leighton Beach was on the right). He turned and continued to walk hunched in the rain along the old railway line. It was an image that caught my breath before I photographed it. I had to time my shot to the rythm of the windscreen wipers in pouring rain. The first shot was the winner - the second shot the man was already too far away.

The final photographic print itself is mystical, grainy, painterly - and I currently have made Limited Edition 9/20 for sale. This print is in private collections around Australia and internationally.

If you wish to have a private viewing of "Rainman" L.E. 9/20, (9" high x 22" wide), a fibre based silver gelatin photograph, please CONTACT me through my website, or you can phone me in Perth, WA, on 0417 189 169 (GMT + 8hrs)

"Rainman" limited edition fine art silver gelatin photograph for sale by black and white still film photographer Nicole Boenig McGrade

SISTERHOOD

Had the wonderful pleasure of photographing these beautiful sisters / women recently on a warm winters day in Perth, WA. Thank you for the memories ladies... and now thanks to you I'm hooked on the song "Big Jet Plane" by Angus and Julia Stone! Can't get it out of my head. Look forward to seeing you again next week.

Beautiful sisters women on a warm winters day. Contemporary lifestyle portrait photography with soul by Nicole Boenig McGrade in Perth, Western Australia.

Creatively yours, Nicole Boenig McGrade

WELCOME TO THE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

Welcome to my portrait photography studio in Perth, Western Australia. After viewing the online GALLERIES and our first introduction on the telephone, you are invited to visit my studio where we meet and you can view original photographs and appreciate the high quality of craftsmanship that goes into the final art work of each print.

Ring me today on 0417 1819 169 and let's talk about your family, your life - and what I can do to create beautiful photographs for your family to decorate your home and office. I look forward to hearing from you.

Creatively yours, Nicole Boenig McGrade

Nicole Boenig McGrade Portrait Photography Studio in Perth, Western Australia, 2009

Nicole Boenig McGrade Portrait Photography Studio in Perth, Western Australia, 2009

PHOTOGRAPHY WITH A BLEND OF SOPHISTICATION AND POETRY - WITHOUT PRETENSION

Unconventionally, tonight I'm sending my personal thoughts about my creative work out into the void, not knowing who follows my website journal. This not knowing is daunting, yet has its charms.

My life as a photographer is riddled with the constant self criticism by double, triple... checking my creative work to make sure I create the perfect final print, no matter whether it's for a client, for my family, or for an exhibition. The business world calls this "quality control" - I call it an obsession.

My approach to photography is a subtle blend of sophistication, poetry and jazz - yet lacking in pretension.

The magical moments of photographing lifestyle portraiture is enjoyable, magical, exciting... I love photographing people of all ages - baby, child, family... I then go into my darkroom, develop my black and white film and the-while wait impatiently... until seeing the negatives for the first time catches my breath. Displaying the images for the first time to the families I photograph is when I realise how important my work really is - to them - and how lucky I am.

Nicole Boenig McGrade

BEAUTIFUL BABY, CHILD AND FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY IN PERTH, WA

Nicole Boenig McGrade Photography - beautiful baby, child and family portrait photography in Perth, Western Australia. Your story, your life, beautiful memories.

Beautiful baby, child and family photography in Perth, Western Australia. Your story, your life, beautiful memories. For further information or to arrange a booking, please contact Nicole Boenig McGrade.

FINE ART AT HALE

I'm very pleased to announce some of my fine art photography (limited edition, fibre based, silver gelatin photographs) will be exhibited this weekend at the

HALE ART EXHIBITION

Opening Night: Friday, 30 July 2010 (sold out!)

Exhibition opens

Saturday 31st July 2010 to Sunday 1st August 2010

between 10am - 5pm

I'd like to sincerely thank Hale for inviting fine art photography to be a part of the 2010 Hale Fine Art Exhibition.

It's wonderful to see such exhibitions in Western Australia opening their doors to various forms collectable art - especially fine art photography!

Thank you again.

Creatively yours,

Nicole Boenig McGrade

FAMILY & COUPLES PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION ON A WINTER'S DAY

Here are some of the results from a beautiful winter's day at the park. Thank you Justin, Jill - and your gorgeous family. You made the most of a wonderful afternoon outdoor family portrait photography session - and as everyone can see from the photographs - we all had so much fun!! More images are displayed in the Family Photography Gallery and the Couples Photography Gallery.

Lifestyle family portrait photography session on a beautiful winter's day by Nicole Boenig McGradeCouples portrait photography on a beautiful winter's day on location at the park - by Nicole Boenig McGrade

Enclosure

FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION - LOVE WINTER IN PERTH!

A wonderful family photography session today at a beautiful outdoor location! I love winter photography sessions. The winter-light in Perth is magical and today was perfect! Jill and Justin, I hope you and all the (grown) children enjoyed themselves as much as I did. It was such a joy to photograph your family again. See you later this week for the most exciting part... your Viewing!