Australia’s finest photographers inspire with LUMIX Life - Focus on Australia

LUMIX Life Pro Shooters cover Australia to get the perfect shot

Leading photographers have gone to some of the most remote areas of Australia to capture unique images as part of the ‘LUMIX Life –Focus on Australia’ initiative.

The LUMX Life Pro Shooters have tracked almost every inch of the country in the hunt for the perfect shot representing the quintessential Australia, from locations as remote as the Kimberleys down to Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania. LUMIX Life gives amateur photographers the chance to join the pros and feature in a stunning professional photography book.

Photographer Leo Meier spent weeks in the swampland around the Macleay River Valley to capture stunning macro shots of insects and amphibians using a LUMIX G1.

Meier, who has spent 25 years in photography and the arts, said many Australians did not get the opportunity to see some of our smaller inhabitants up close.

“I try whenever possible to get to eye level with the subject I’m photographing, especially with critters. I spend a lot of time crouched in uncomfortable positions and can highly recommend kneepads,” Meier said.

“The main challenge is to keep the subject framed and in focus while holding the camera in one hand and the flash in the other without letting it droop. Being able to hold your breath helps as well. Great exercise for flabby arms and wheezy lungs!”

Other LUMIX Life Pro Shooters supporting the competition include Ken Duncan, Peter Eastway, Bill Bachman, Nick Rains, Frances Mocnik, Ted Grambeau, Hugh Brown and celebrity guest photographer Ray Martin.

“We have specifically chosen photographers who cover a variety of photography styles and subjects to ensure our LUMIX Life Pro Shooters capture the true and unique essence of Australia. For example, Leo Meier captures impressive macro shots of plants and insects, while Ken Duncan’s work focuses on dramatic, wide landscapes,” said Matt Mannall, Marketing Communications Manager, Panasonic Australia.

“With our Pro Shooters out on a mission to cover this great country we hope their adventures and amazing shots will inspire all amateur photographers out there to take part in this special project with them.” 

To follow the adventures of the LUMIX Life Pro Shooters, or to view some of the work they have done so far, please visit www.lumixlife.com.au. The site also includes regular video tutorials from Ken Duncan to help contributors hone their inspiration and creativity, as well as a blog where the pro shooters share their tips and stories.

To enter LUMIX Life, just grab your LUMIX camera and capture what you believe truly represents Australia.

Every entry will be viewed and considered by the LUMIX Life judging panel using the four following criteria:

    * Artistic and literary merit of the image and caption combined;
    * Technical competency of the image;
    * Photographic quality of the image; and
    * A photo taken in Australia adhering to the theme of “quintessential Aussie landscape and lifestyle”.

LUMIX Life entrants will also go in the running to win an amazing Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF1 camera. One camera will be awarded each month between now and June 2010 to the best photo submitted, as determined by Ken Duncan.

Online submissions to the ‘LUMIX Life - Focus on Australia’ project are welcome through until 30 June, 2010.